Director Laurence Thrush has joined The Sweet Shop for U.S. representation.
Born and raised in England, Thrush got his first experience behind the camera at Growth Films, a documentary production company he founded in London right out of school. His 2000 documentary film Fidel’s Fight screened in festivals all over the world and helped the director develop and hone his authentically human yet visually driven, cinematic style. Thrush then started working in commercials and in 2003 was recognized by both Clio and Cannes Lions as one of the top young directors to watch. Now based out of Los Angeles, Thrush has cultivated a list of clients that include brands as ESPN, HP, Adobe, McDonald’s and Honda.
Thrush credits his history working behind the scenes as a writer, director, and editor of documentary films as giving him the tools to make a name for himself in narrative content, helming visually driven character pieces with emotional weight. Since 2008 he has directed three critically lauded films including the indie feature Pursuit of Loneliness which enjoyed its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2012.
“It feels like a great fit,” said Thrush of his decision to join The Sweet Shop. “The whole sensibility of The Sweet Shop and their approach to the work matches what I want to achieve in advertising and filmmaking.”
Laura Thoel, managing director of The Sweet Shop Los Angeles, shared, “I had an immediate response to Laurence’s work. His ability to be innovative and craft authentic, evocative stories with beautiful film really sets him apart.”
Paul Prince, The Sweet Shop’s CEO and founding partner, said of Thrush, “He brings such intimacy to his work that you immediately empathize with his stories.”
Rom-Com Mainstay Hugh Grant Shifts To The Dark Side and He’s Never Been Happier
After some difficulties connecting to a Zoom, Hugh Grant eventually opts to just phone instead.
"Sorry about that," he apologizes. "Tech hell." Grant is no lover of technology. Smart phones, for example, he calls the "devil's tinderbox."
"I think they're killing us. I hate them," he says. "I go on long holidays from them, three or four days at at time. Marvelous."
Hell, and our proximity to it, is a not unrelated topic to Grant's new film, "Heretic." In it, two young Mormon missionaries (Chloe East, Sophie Thatcher) come knocking on a door they'll soon regret visiting. They're welcomed in by Mr. Reed (Grant), an initially charming man who tests their faith in theological debate, and then, in much worse things.
After decades in romantic comedies, Grant has spent the last few years playing narcissists, weirdos and murders, often to the greatest acclaim of his career. But in "Heretic," a horror thriller from A24, Grant's turn to the dark side reaches a new extreme. The actor who once charmingly stammered in "Four Weddings and a Funeral" and who danced to the Pointer Sisters in "Love Actually" is now doing heinous things to young people in a basement.
"It was a challenge," Grant says. "I think human beings need challenges. It makes your beer taste better in the evening if you've climbed a mountain. He was just so wonderfully (expletive)-up."
"Heretic," which opens in theaters Friday, is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, co-writers of "A Quiet Place." In Grant's hands, Mr. Reed is a divinely good baddie — a scholarly creep whose wry monologues pull from a wide range of references, including, fittingly, Radiohead's "Creep."
In an interview, Grant spoke about these and other facets of his character, his journey... Read More