Ni**as on The Polar Express
(The Polar Express x Ni**as in Paris)

N**** on The Polar Express

EoM Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning recently sat down with co-writer and director Tara Pirnia to discuss her work on the romantic comedy “Switch Up,” which premiered at SXSW. Pirnia talks about the importance of setting the film in Texas, collaborating with producer Elizabeth Avellán, and the excellent cast including Cristián de le Fuente, Julieth Restrepo, Jeff Fahey, and Shondrella Avery. 

"Switch Up" held its world premiere during SXSW 2024. 

Official Synopsis:
Ricardo de la Cruz has it all. His success as a talk show host has given him every perk life could offer. When his ratings drop, he finds himself broadcasting from South Texas at a homeless shelter run by Cassie Harris to show his “charitable side”. Scandal erupts as Ricardo is falsely accused for running a ponzi scheme. He loses everything and is now stranded in South Texas. Cassie and her family bring him into the shelter. With the assistance of a homeless vet named Charlie, Cassie’s family, and his producer Marie, Ricardo regains his throne. However, the life he once had has lost its shine. He finds a way to win Cassie’s heart and gains a renewed sense of purpose in his life.

World premiere during SXSW 2024. #SXSW #SXSW2024 #SwitchUp  

https://schedule.sxsw.com/2024/films/2198717

Directed By: Tara Pirnia
Written By: Felice Heather Monteith, Tara Pirnia, Tina Contogenis, Pamela Beach
Cast: Cristian de la Fuente, Julieth Restrepo, Jeff Fahey, Shondrella Avery, R. Brandon Johnson, Temple Baker, Donnell Rawlings, Alicia Witt, Manuel Uriza, Felice Heather Monteith

EoM Presents

A Conversation with "Switch Up" filmmaker Tara Pirnia. [SXSW]

In this edition of EoM Presents, Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning talks with writer and director Corey Sherman about his debut feature film "Big Boys." This queer coming-of-age comedy has been nominated at the GLAAD Media Awards in addition to the Film Independent 2025 Spirit Awards. Sherman discusses Isaac Krasner’s relatable lead performance as a painfully awkward teen, as well as the art of editing in comedy. 

Available on DVD, VOD, digital June 11th, 2024.

https://www.bigboysfilm.com/

Official Synopsis:
Jamie’s dream camping trip is ruined before it begins when he finds out that his cousin is bringing her new boyfriend. However, his initial jealousy of the competent and confident Dan quickly turns into a friendship as they bond over cooking, games and both being ‘big boys’. As his burgeoning crush gets him into awkward scrapes and arguments, Jamie begins to come to terms with who he is, and his desires. Hilarious and heartwarming, "Big Boys" is the type of coming-of-age film we need more of.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/VPPS3SbnTCk?si=QGOfyYHzrw7rUO0q

Directed/Written By: Corey Sherman
Cast: Isaac Krasner, David Johnson III, Dora Madison Burge, Emily Deschanel, Taj Cross

A Conversation with "Big Boys" writer/director Corey Sherman.

For Episode 66 of EoM Presents, EoM Contributor Joel Winstead sits down with documentary filmmaker Liam Le Guillou to discuss "A Cursed Man." Premiering in L.A. on March 22nd ahead of its VOD release on March 25th, Guillou discusses his project to determine the reality of magic and gets into why he doesn't recommend this for anyone else. 

It's an extensive conversation, so strap in.

Premiering in L.A. on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025.
Available on VOD on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025.

https://www.liamleguillou.com/

Official Synopsis:
Documentary filmmaker Liam Le Guillou enters the world of witchcraft: and the occult, searching for an answer to the question “is magic real?” Seeking out some of the world's most powerful dark magic practitioners, Le Guillou will ask the unthinkable - will they put a Curse on him. Meeting with Witches in California, Voodoo practitioners in New Orleans, Tantrics in India, and even a Satanist Shaman in Mexico, the filmmaker exposes himself to some of the world’s darkest magic. On his Journey, Le Guillou meets with psychologists, and scientists studying the real world eﬀects of magic and the power of belief.

As the consequences of his request begin to hit home, Le Guillou seeks out help from the very witches that warned him of his actions, forcing him to question the nature of reality in this dangerous, never-before-seen, dark social experiment.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/NUcMfQMnzkU?si=fu_NvAy_-E0IzQaN

Directed/Written By: Liam Le Guillou


A Conversation with "A Cursed Man" writer/director Liam Le Guillou.

In this interview for EoM Presents, Senior Interviewer Thomas Manning talks with the cast and crew of the new film “Zero,” including writer and director Jean Luc Herbulot, actor, writer, and producer Hus Miller, and actor Cam McHarg. This geo-political thriller from Well Go USA Entertainment was filmed on location in Dakar, Senegal and explores the oppressive system of capitalism with tightly crafted suspense and tension, as well as a darkly comedic tone. Plus, Oscar-nominee Willem Dafoe appears in a key voice role, acting as the film’s de facto narrator. 

In theaters and on digital April 11th, 2025.

https://wellgousa.com/films/zero

Official Synopsis:
Two strangers searching for purpose in Dakar, Senegal, wake up with bombs strapped to their chests, counting down from ten hours. Controlled by a mysterious voice, they must complete a series of chaotic missions with devastating consequences. As the city erupts in protest against Western influence, the reluctant partners race for redemption. "Zero" is a thrilling, darkly humorous tale of survival, connection, and the human search for meaning.

Official Trailer: https://youtu.be/_wVUlt_kWko

Directed By: Jean Luc Herbulot
Written By: Jean Luc Herbulot, Hus Miller
Cast: Hus Miller, Cam McHarg, Gary Dourdan, Roger Sallah, Moran Rosenblatt, Willem Dafoe

A Conversation with "Zero" filmmaker Jean Luc Herbulot and actors Hus Miller and Cam McHarg.

Elements of Madness is an entertainment website focused on cinematic releases past, present, and future. With so many channels to watch films, and more arriving every day, EoM seeks to help cut through the clutter by focusing on not just the big studio pieces, but also the smaller indie pictures hitting theaters and streaming services. Though our team is small, the combination of their particular talents and view of cinema is the mixture that leads to madness.

A Conversation with "Switch Up" filmmaker Tara Pirnia. [SXSW]

Elements of Madness

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