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| image = Amy_George_poster.jpg
| image = Amy_George_poster.jpg
| caption = Promotional poster
| caption = Promotional poster
| director = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| director = [[Yonah Lewis]]<br />[[Calvin Thomas (director)|Calvin Thomas]]
| producer = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| producer = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| writer = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| writer = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| screenplay =
| screenplay =
| story =
| story =
| based on = <!-- {{based on|title of the original work|writer of the original work}} -->
| based_on = <!-- {{based on|title of the original work|writer of the original work}} -->
| starring = Gabriel del Castillo Mullally<br />[[Claudia Dey]]<br />[[Don Kerr]]
| starring = Gabriel del Castillo Mullally<br />[[Claudia Dey]]<br />[[Don Kerr]]
| music = Lev Lewis
| music = Lev Lewis
| cinematography = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| cinematography = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| editing = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| editing = Yonah Lewis<br />Calvin Thomas
| studio =
| studio =
| distributor = [[Mongrel Media]]
| distributor = [[Mongrel Media]]
| released = {{Film date|2011|4|3|[[Wisconsin Film Festival|Wisconsin]]}}
| released = {{Film date|2011|4|3|[[Wisconsin Film Festival|Wisconsin]]}}
| runtime = 95 minutes
| runtime = 95 minutes
| country = Canada
| country = Canada
| language = English
| language = English
| budget =
| budget =
| gross =
| gross =
}}
}}
'''Amy George''' is a 2011 Canadian [[microbudget]] film written, produced and directed by Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas.<ref>{{cite book |title=International Film Guide 2012 |first=Ian Hayden |last=Smith |year= 2012 |isbn= 978-1908215017 |page= 85 |accessdate= 11 April 2012}}</ref> It stars Gabriel del Castillo Mullally as the adolescent Jesse and [[Claudia Dey]] and [[Don Kerr]] as his parents. The film tells the story of the 13 year old Jesse who wants to be an artist, but believes that his mundane middle class life has left him unprepared. After reading a book on what it takes to be a "true-artist", he sets out looking for risk, ecstasy, wildness and women.
'''Amy George''' is a 2011 Canadian [[microbudget]] film written, produced and directed by [[Yonah Lewis]] and [[Calvin Thomas (director)|Calvin Thomas]]. The film tells the story of the 13-year-old Jesse who wants to be an artist, but believes that his mundane middle class life has left him unprepared. After reading a book on what it takes to be a "true-artist", he sets out looking for risk, ecstasy, wildness and women.


It premiered at the [[Wisconsin Film Festival]] on April 3, 2011<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781767/releaseinfo| title=Wisconsin Film Festival | accessdate=June 22, 2011}}</ref> and had its Canadian premiere in the Canada First! section of the [[2011 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news | last= Punter | first=Jennie | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118041086?refCatId=13 | title=Toronto fest unveils 26 Canadian pix | date=Aug 9, 2011 | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | accessdate=Aug 14, 2011}}</ref>
It premiered at the [[Wisconsin Film Festival]] on April 3, 2011<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781767/releaseinfo| title=Wisconsin Film Festival | accessdate=June 22, 2011}}</ref> and had its Canadian premiere in the Canada First! section of the [[2011 Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite news | last= Punter | first=Jennie | url=https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118041086?refCatId=13 | title=Toronto fest unveils 26 Canadian pix | date=Aug 9, 2011 | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | accessdate=Aug 14, 2011}}</ref>


==Plot==
== Plot ==
⚫
Thirteen-year-old Jesse is assigned a school project: a photographic self-portrait intended to portray one's self without resorting to literal representation. Jesse lives with his parents, Sabi and Tim, in the lefty, middle class [[Toronto]] neighbourhood of [[Riverdale (Toronto)|Riverdale]]. A quiet and distant only-child with budding artistic aspirations, Jesse is inspired by the assignment to look for excitement and meaning in the world around him. Wielding a newly acquired [[35 mm format|35mm]] camera, Jesse sets out to capture his surroundings, but soon realizes the undramatic nature of his family, neighbourhood and existence.
{{Expand section|date=June 2011}}<!-- plz see WP:FILMPLOT -->
⚫
Thirteen year old Jesse is assigned a school project. A photographic self-portrait intended to portray one’s self without resorting to literal representation. Jesse lives with his parents, Sabi and Tim, in the lefty, middle class Toronto neighbourhood of Riverdale. A quiet and distant only-child with budding artistic aspirations, Jesse is inspired by the assignment to look for excitement and meaning in the world around him. Wielding a newly acquired camera, Jesse sets out to capture his surroundings, but soon realizes the undramatic nature of his family, neighbourhood and existence.


Meanwhile, Sabi and Tim find themselves questioning Jesse’s developing character as they watch him abandon his childhood personality and mature into an uncommunicative adolescent. Frustrated by his lack of inspiration, Jesse discovers a book in the school library which advises him: “You can never be a real artist until you have made love to a woman.”
Meanwhile, Sabi and Tim find themselves questioning Jesse's developing character as they watch him abandon his childhood personality and mature into an uncommunicative adolescent. Frustrated by his lack of inspiration, Jesse discovers a book in the school library which advises him, "You can never be a real artist until you have made love to a woman." Taking the text at face value and with the encouragement of a family friend, Jesse begins to look for new experiences, both foreign and adult, which leads him to an encounter with his young, female neighbour, Amy. Peering into her bedroom window at night, he snaps a quick photograph of her.
Taking the text at face value and with the encouragement of a family friend, Jesse begins to look for incident, both foreign and adult, which leads him to an encounter with his young, female neighbour, Amy. Peering into her window at night, he snaps a quick photograph of her.


Days later, the two are inadvertently reunited, allowing Jesse an opportunity to explore his prepubescent fascination with the opposite sex. After a long evening of games, exploration and hypnosis, Jesse awakes with confusion and guilt, unsure whether or not he may have overstepped his boundaries. The question of rape consumes his thoughts and Jesse is left struggling to reconcile his uneasy mind.
Days later, the two are inadvertently reunited, allowing Jesse an opportunity to explore his prepubescent fascination with the opposite sex. After a long evening of games, exploration and attempted hypnosis, Jesse awakes with confusion and guilt, unsure whether or not he may have overstepped his boundaries. The question of rape consumes his thoughts and Jesse is left struggling to reconcile his uneasy mind.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* Gabriel del Castillo Mullally as Jesse
* Gabriel del Castillo Mullally as Jesse
* [[Claudia Dey]] as Sabi
* [[Claudia Dey]] as Sabi
Line 46: Line 45:
* Andrea Verginella Paina as Marianne
* Andrea Verginella Paina as Marianne
* Ester Reyes as Yetta
* Ester Reyes as Yetta
* David Woroner as Alex
}}


==Production==
==Production==


===Development===
===Development===
''Amy George'' was [[Yonah Lewis]] and [[Calvin Thomas (director)|Calvin Thomas]]' seventh screenplay after graduating from film school in 2008 and an attempt to write something that spoke to their shared experiences. According to Lewis, having been a "really grumpy young male teenager" was the most obvious point of common ground.<ref name="Adams">{{cite news | last=Adams | first=James | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/yonah-lewis-and-calvin-thomas-filmmakers/article1362664/ | title=Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas: filmmakers | date=September 9, 2011 | work=[[The Globe and Mail]] | accessdate=February 22, 2020}}</ref> The first draft, which grappled with the idea that art must come from a place of suffering, was written in two weeks. "We were still ourselves coming to terms with the idea: How can you be an artist if you come from this middle class Canadian happy lifestyle?” explained Lewis.<ref>{{cite news | last=Leong | first=Melissa | url=https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/spare-a-toonie-for-our-film-first-time-filmmakers-debut-at-tiff | title=Spare a Toonie for our film? First-time filmmakers debut at TIFF | date=September 7, 2011 | work=[[National Post]] | accessdate=February 22, 2020}}</ref>
The film was funded with the assistance of friends and family.<ref name=bp>{{cite news | last=Commisso | first=Christina | url=http://www.insidehalton.com/community/burlington/article/822848 | title=The making of Amy George | date=May 28, 2010 | work=Burlington Post | accessdate=June 22, 2011}}</ref>

The film was funded with the assistance of friends and family, including the 15-year-old [[Connor Jessup]], who the directing pair knew from a summer arts camp they had taught at and he attended. Jessup said, "Guys, I wanna be in on the film; I wanna be on the set every day. And I'm gonna give you a significant amount of money."<ref name="Adams" />


===Casting===
===Casting===
The large teenage cast was primarily found at local schools.<ref name=bp /> Gabriel del Castillo Mullaly who played the lead, Jesse, had never acted before and is the son of Canadian actress [[Maria del Mar (actress)|Maria del Mar]]. The characters of Jesse's parents, Sabi and Tim, were played by real-life couple, [[Claudia Dey]] and [[Don Kerr]].<ref>{{cite news | last=Orr | first=Caitlin | url=http://www.mytorontotoday.ca/2011/08/to-exposure/ | title=Toronto talent and scenery on full display at 36th annual TIFF | date=Aug 31, 2011 | work=Toronto Today | accessdate=September 3, 2011}}</ref>
The large teenage cast was primarily found at local schools.<ref name=bp>{{cite news | last=Commisso | first=Christina | url=http://www.insidehalton.com/community/burlington/article/822848 | title=The making of Amy George | date=May 28, 2010 | work=Burlington Post | accessdate=June 22, 2011}}</ref> Gabriel del Castillo Mullaly who played the lead, Jesse, had never acted before and is the son of Canadian actress [[Maria del Mar (actress)|Maria del Mar]]. The characters of Jesse's parents, Sabi and Tim, were played by real-life couple, [[Claudia Dey]] and [[Don Kerr]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Orr |first=Caitlin |url=http://www.mytorontotoday.ca/2011/08/to-exposure/ |title=Toronto talent and scenery on full display at 36th annual TIFF |date=Aug 31, 2011 |work=Toronto Today |accessdate=September 3, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124124259/http://www.mytorontotoday.ca/2011/08/to-exposure/ |archivedate=November 24, 2011 }}</ref>


===Filming===
===Filming===
[[Principal photography]] began in and around the [[Toronto]] neighbourhood of [[Riverdale, Toronto|Riverdale]] on May 8, 2010.<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781767/business IMDb Filming Dates]</ref> Several scenes take place at neighbourhood parks, including [[Withrow Park]] and [[Riverdale Park (Toronto)|Riverdale Park]].<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781767/locations IMDb Filming locations]</ref>
[[Principal photography]] began in and around the [[Toronto]] neighbourhood of [[Riverdale, Toronto|Riverdale]] on May 8, 2010. Several scenes take place at neighbourhood parks, including [[Withrow Park]] and [[Riverdale Park (Toronto)|Riverdale Park]].<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1781767/locations IMDb Filming & Production]</ref> "We'd write about these generic American towns that don't exist, motels in the desert. Eventually we wanted to embrace what was around us. I'm living here in my parents' house at the moment and Calvin would be here and we'd be wandering around and what we'd see would be [[Withrow Park]], [[Riverdale Park (Toronto)|Riverdale Park]], [[Gerrard Street (Toronto)|Gerrard Street]]," said Lewis.<ref name="Adams" />


===Music===
===Music===
The minimal score for ''Amy George'' was written by Lev Lewis. The film features four songs by musician [[Michael Holt (musician)|Michael Holt]].
The film's minimal score was written by Lewis' younger brother Lev Lewis.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lavoie |first=Joanna |url=https://www.toronto.com/news-story/68239-riverdale-film-makes-its-canadian-premiere-at-tiff/ |title=Riverdale film makes its Canadian premiere at TIFF |date=September 3, 2011 |work=Toronto.com |accessdate=February 22, 2020}}</ref> The film also features four songs by musician [[Michael Holt (musician)|Michael Holt]].


==Awards==
==Awards==
''Amy George'' won the Spirit Award for Feature Narrative at the [[Brooklyn International Film Festival|Brooklyn Film Festival]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite news | last= Renninger | first=Bryce J. | url=http://www.indiewire.com/article/brooklyn_international_film_fest_announces_2011_winners/ | title=Battle & W. Zappatore Among Top Brooklyn Fest Winners | date=June 13, 2011 | work=[[IndieWIRE]] | accessdate=June 29, 2011}}</ref>
''Amy George'' won the Spirit Award for Feature Narrative at the [[Brooklyn International Film Festival|Brooklyn Film Festival]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite news | last= Renninger | first=Bryce J. | url=https://www.indiewire.com/article/brooklyn_international_film_fest_announces_2011_winners/ | title=Battle & W. Zappatore Among Top Brooklyn Fest Winners | date=June 13, 2011 | work=[[IndieWIRE]] | accessdate=June 29, 2011}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 68: Line 71:


== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{official website|http://amygeorgemovie.com/}}
* {{official website|http://www.lisapictures.com}}
* [http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/brooklyn_film_festival_review_amy_george_nails_innocent_and_free_childhood/ The Playlist: ‘Amy George’ Nails The Innocent & Free Feeling Of Childhood]
* {{IMDb title|id=1781767|title=Amy George}}
* {{IMDb title|id=1781767|title=Amy George}}
* {{rottentomatoes|amy_george_2011}}
* {{AllRovi movie|542255|Amy George}}

{{Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas}}


[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:2011 films]]
[[Category:English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s English-language films]]
[[Category:Canadian films]]
[[Category:2010s coming-of-age drama films]]
[[Category:Canadian drama films]]
[[Category:Canadian coming-of-age drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:2010s drama films]]
⚫
[[Category:Canadian coming-of-age films]]
[[Category:Canadian independent films]]
[[Category:Canadian independent films]]
[[Category:Films set in Toronto]]
[[Category:Films set in Toronto]]
[[Category:Films shot in Toronto]]
⚫
[[Category:2011 drama films]]
[[Category:2011 independent films]]
[[Category:English-language Canadian films]]
⚫
[[Category:2010s Canadian films]]
[[Category:Copperheart Entertainment films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]

Latest revision as of 17:28, 15 September 2024

Amy George
Promotional poster
Directed byYonah Lewis
Calvin Thomas
Written byYonah Lewis
Calvin Thomas
Produced byYonah Lewis
Calvin Thomas
StarringGabriel del Castillo Mullally
Claudia Dey
Don Kerr
CinematographyYonah Lewis
Calvin Thomas
Edited byYonah Lewis
Calvin Thomas
Music byLev Lewis
Distributed byMongrel Media
Release date
Running time
95 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

Amy George is a 2011 Canadian microbudget film written, produced and directed by Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas. The film tells the story of the 13-year-old Jesse who wants to be an artist, but believes that his mundane middle class life has left him unprepared. After reading a book on what it takes to be a "true-artist", he sets out looking for risk, ecstasy, wildness and women.

It premiered at the Wisconsin Film Festival on April 3, 2011[1] and had its Canadian premiere in the Canada First! section of the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival.[2]

Plot

[edit]

Thirteen-year-old Jesse is assigned a school project: a photographic self-portrait intended to portray one's self without resorting to literal representation. Jesse lives with his parents, Sabi and Tim, in the lefty, middle class Toronto neighbourhood of Riverdale. A quiet and distant only-child with budding artistic aspirations, Jesse is inspired by the assignment to look for excitement and meaning in the world around him. Wielding a newly acquired 35mm camera, Jesse sets out to capture his surroundings, but soon realizes the undramatic nature of his family, neighbourhood and existence.

Meanwhile, Sabi and Tim find themselves questioning Jesse's developing character as they watch him abandon his childhood personality and mature into an uncommunicative adolescent. Frustrated by his lack of inspiration, Jesse discovers a book in the school library which advises him, "You can never be a real artist until you have made love to a woman." Taking the text at face value and with the encouragement of a family friend, Jesse begins to look for new experiences, both foreign and adult, which leads him to an encounter with his young, female neighbour, Amy. Peering into her bedroom window at night, he snaps a quick photograph of her.

Days later, the two are inadvertently reunited, allowing Jesse an opportunity to explore his prepubescent fascination with the opposite sex. After a long evening of games, exploration and attempted hypnosis, Jesse awakes with confusion and guilt, unsure whether or not he may have overstepped his boundaries. The question of rape consumes his thoughts and Jesse is left struggling to reconcile his uneasy mind.

Cast

[edit]
  • Gabriel del Castillo Mullally as Jesse
  • Claudia Dey as Sabi
  • Don Kerr as Tim
  • Natasha Allan as Tara
  • Emily Henry as Amy
  • Candace Barkin as Liv
  • Yaari Magenheim as Jake
  • Brian Scott as Mr. Fontana
  • Andrea Verginella Paina as Marianne
  • Ester Reyes as Yetta
  • David Woroner as Alex

Production

[edit]

Development

[edit]

Amy George was Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas' seventh screenplay after graduating from film school in 2008 and an attempt to write something that spoke to their shared experiences. According to Lewis, having been a "really grumpy young male teenager" was the most obvious point of common ground.[3] The first draft, which grappled with the idea that art must come from a place of suffering, was written in two weeks. "We were still ourselves coming to terms with the idea: How can you be an artist if you come from this middle class Canadian happy lifestyle?” explained Lewis.[4]

The film was funded with the assistance of friends and family, including the 15-year-old Connor Jessup, who the directing pair knew from a summer arts camp they had taught at and he attended. Jessup said, "Guys, I wanna be in on the film; I wanna be on the set every day. And I'm gonna give you a significant amount of money."[3]

Casting

[edit]

The large teenage cast was primarily found at local schools.[5] Gabriel del Castillo Mullaly who played the lead, Jesse, had never acted before and is the son of Canadian actress Maria del Mar. The characters of Jesse's parents, Sabi and Tim, were played by real-life couple, Claudia Dey and Don Kerr.[6]

Filming

[edit]

Principal photography began in and around the Toronto neighbourhood of Riverdale on May 8, 2010. Several scenes take place at neighbourhood parks, including Withrow Park and Riverdale Park.[7] "We'd write about these generic American towns that don't exist, motels in the desert. Eventually we wanted to embrace what was around us. I'm living here in my parents' house at the moment and Calvin would be here and we'd be wandering around and what we'd see would be Withrow Park, Riverdale Park, Gerrard Street," said Lewis.[3]

Music

[edit]

The film's minimal score was written by Lewis' younger brother Lev Lewis.[8] The film also features four songs by musician Michael Holt.

Awards

[edit]

Amy George won the Spirit Award for Feature Narrative at the Brooklyn Film Festival in 2011.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Wisconsin Film Festival". Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  2. ^ Punter, Jennie (Aug 9, 2011). "Toronto fest unveils 26 Canadian pix". Variety. Retrieved Aug 14, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Adams, James (September 9, 2011). "Yonah Lewis and Calvin Thomas: filmmakers". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  4. ^ Leong, Melissa (September 7, 2011). "Spare a Toonie for our film? First-time filmmakers debut at TIFF". National Post. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  5. ^ Commisso, Christina (May 28, 2010). "The making of Amy George". Burlington Post. Retrieved June 22, 2011.
  6. ^ Orr, Caitlin (Aug 31, 2011). "Toronto talent and scenery on full display at 36th annual TIFF". Toronto Today. Archived from the original on November 24, 2011. Retrieved September 3, 2011.
  7. ^ IMDb Filming & Production
  8. ^ Lavoie, Joanna (September 3, 2011). "Riverdale film makes its Canadian premiere at TIFF". Toronto.com. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  9. ^ Renninger, Bryce J. (June 13, 2011). "Battle & W. Zappatore Among Top Brooklyn Fest Winners". IndieWIRE. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
[edit]
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