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https://www.thenerdelement.com/2024/06/14/sir-ben-kingsley-pierce-brosnan-mark-hamill-form-villainous-trio-for-mofac-animations-the-king-of-kings/

Acclaimed Actors Join Previously-Announced A-List Cast for Enthralling, Faith-Based Animated Family Film

JUNE 4, 2024 (Seoul, South Korea) – Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley, beloved James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan and Star Wars universe luminary Mark Hamill form the ultimate vocal rogues’ gallery in Mofac Animation’s upcoming The King of Kings, an animated family film inspired by a little-known short story by Charles Dickens depicting the life and times of Jesus Christ.

Kingsley voices High Priest Caiaphas, who presided over the Sanhedrin trial of Jesus. Hamill takes on the role of King Herod, who according to the Gospel of Matthew, ordered the Massacre of the Innocents in an attempt to kill Jesus as an infant. And Brosnan gives animated life to Pontius Pilate, who ultimately ordered the crucifixion of Jesus. The triumvirate of villainous voices further enhances the A-list cast behind the faith-based animated film, which also includes Academy Award & Emmy Award winners Kenneth Branagh (Belfast) and Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland), Golden Globe winners Oscar Isaac (Show Me A Hero) and Uma Thurman (Hysterical Blindness), and Golden Globe nominee Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit).

Mofac Animation is currently seeking potential domestic and international distributors for The King of Kings, which is now in its final stages of production. The filmmakers anticipate a release date in close proximity to Easter 2025.

In the film, Charles and Walter Dickens embark on a multi-dimensional adventure as the master storyteller engages his youngest son’s vivid imagination with the fascinating life of Jesus, his well-known trials and tribulations, and his notable colleagues and foes. The film’s rich animation allows the Dickens pair (and the family cat Willa) to become intrinsically immersed in the ancient tale, interacting with Jesus, his disciples and his detractors – while the stellar cast behind the voices bring these well-known characters to animated life like never before. The result is an animated film that makes the biblical journey easily relatable, readily understood and captivatingly entertaining for families and, especially, to children of all ages.

“The true measure of a hero is always judged by the strength of his foes, and Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan and Mark Hamill deliver impactful performances that elevate their respective villains to appropriately biblical heights,” says producer Anfernee Kim. “This cast is laden with winners of every major acting award, and they’ve all bought their A-games for a story most deserving of their impressive collective talents.”

After earning an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, and two BAFTA Awards for his riveting portrayal of Indian social leader Mahatma Gandhi, Sir Ben Kingsley has continued to bring unequaled detail and nuance to each role he portrays, remaining a coveted and ubiquitous talent. Spanning more than half a century, Kingsley’s film career includes an additional trio of Academy award nominations for his performances in Bugsy, Sexy Beast and House of Sand and Fog, and a wide range of outstanding showings in movies like Schindler’s List, Operation Finale, DaliLand, Jules, Searching for Bobby Fischer; Elegy, Iron Man 3, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Hugo, Ender’s Game; and The Boxtrolls, for which he won the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Voice Acting in an Animated Feature. Kingsley’s notable television work includes Emmy Award nominated performances in Mrs. Harris and Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story, and a Screen Actors Guild award-winning role in Anne Frank: The Whole Story. Steeped in British theatre, he began his professional acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967, performing in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Tempest, Julius Caesar, and in the title roles of Othello and Hamlet, among others. His diverse theatrical portfolio has also encompassed productions of The Country Wife, The Cherry Orchard, A Betrothal and Waiting for Godot. Kingsley was recently seen in Wes Anderson’s Academy Award-winning adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar. He’ll next reprise his beloved Marvel Cinematic Universe character Trevor Slattery in the upcoming series Wonder Man for Disney+; star in Lionsgate’s The Killer’s Game; play Emperor Kisra in the Rupert Wyatt’s actioner Desert Warrior;stars in Simmons/Hamilton Production’s upcoming shark-infested thriller Deep Water and in Nick Hamm’s upcoming biopic William Tell; and perform in Terrence Malick’s The Way of the Wind. He will also join The King of Kings co-star Pierce Brosnan in Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club. In 1984, he was awarded the Padma Sri by Indira Gandhi and the government of India; and in 2002, Kingsley was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year’s Eve Honors List. Kingsley received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2010.

Pierce Brosnan is a legendary Irish American actor, film producer, environmentalist, philanthropist, artist and two-time Golden Globe Award nominee known for his rich and extensive career in front of the camera and behind-the-scenes. Brosnan is notable for his roles in iconic films such as Mrs. Doubtfire, Mamma Mia, The Thomas Crown Affair and the James Bond franchise (GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day). Most recently, Brosnan was seen in The Last Rifleman, which is inspired by a true story of a World War II veteran living in a care home in Northern Ireland who, on the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, decides to escape the home and embark on a journey to France to pay his final respects. He was also recently seen in director Phillip Noyce’s hitman thriller, Fast Charlie based on Victor Gischler’s Edgar Award-nominated novel, Gun Monkeys, and in the DC/Warner Bros. film Black Adam. Upcoming, Brosnan will star in Max’s The Great Lillian Hall opposite Jessica Lange; the sports drama Giant; the Focus Features spy thriller Black Bag for director Steven Soderbergh; and in the Irish romance film Four Letters of Love opposite Helena Bonham Carter. Brosnan expanded the range of his film work by launching his own production company, Irish DreamTime. Alongside his wife, Keely Shaye, he is an advocate for environmental causes, actively supporting various organizations dedicated to conservation. Brosnan’s involvement extends to co-producing documentaries like “Poisoning Paradise,” shedding light on pressing environmental issues. Beyond acting and activism, he showcases his artistic talent through painting, with his works exhibited in prestigious galleries and auctions worldwide. Recently, Brosnan debuted his first solo art exhibition, “So Many Dreams,” encapsulating his artistic journey throughout the years. Brosnan was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.

Mark Hamill’s career has encompassed all aspects of entertainment including stage, screen, television and new media. He is best known as Luke Skywalker in George Lucas’ original Star Wars trilogy – A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He later reprised the role for Lucasfilm’s latest Star Wars trilogy – The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Hamill’s film career has included The Big Red One, Brigsby Bear, The Machine and the cult classic Corvette Summer. He is currently co-starring as Arthur Pym in Mike Flanagan’s latest limited series, The Fall Of The House Of Usher, and recently wrapped production on Flanagan’s latest Stephen King-based project, Life Of Chuck. Additionally, his TV career has boasted roles in classics ranging from The F.B.I., The Partridge Family, One Day at a Time and The Streets of San Francisco to contemporary offerings like The Flash (1977 & 2015), Just Shoot Me, Criminal Minds, What We Do in the Shadows, The Big Bang Theory and The Mandalorian. Hamill has also crafted a prolific voiceover career, performing in hundreds of television cartoons, feature films and video games. Hamill first played the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, a role for which he established the standard in animation – ultimately winning a BAFTA Award for his portrayal of the Joker in the Arkham Asylum video game series. An Emmy Award winner for his performance in Elena of Avalor in 2021, Hamill’s recent voice work includes lending his voice to Granduncle in the English-language version of Hayao Miyazaki’s Academy Award-winning The Boy and The Heron. Hamill was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018.

The King of Kings is directed by Seong-ho “Jay” Jang (Joint Security Area, The Taste of Money, Last Knights), one of the most respected filmmakers in Korea and an unparalleled pioneer in the visual effects realm. The film is co-written by Jang and Rob Edwards (Disney’s The Princess and the Frog and Treasure Planet). Emmy Award-winning dialogue & casting director Jamie Thomason (Spirited Away, The Tigger Movie) and veteran filmmaking executive Andrew Mann (Imperium, Gold, Transfusion) serve as executive producers. Anfernee Kim (Last Knights, John Woo’s The Crossing 2) is the film’s producer. For more information, please visit the film’s website at www.kingofkingsanimation.com

The post SIR BEN KINGSLEY, PIERCE BROSNAN & MARK HAMILL FORM VILLAINOUS TRIO FOR MOFAC ANIMATION’S THE KING OF KINGS appeared first on The Nerd Element.

https://www.blackenterprise.com/native-son-awards-honor-black-queer-men/

On June 12, the Native Son Awards honored the achievements and contributions of Black Queer men to society. According to a press release from the Native Son Awards, those honored for “rewriting narratives and shifting the Black queer voice and visibility and how they show up in the world” are: Law Roach, Jeremy Pope, Bill T. Jones, Chris Chambers, Keith Boykin, and Gabriel Maldonado. 

As The Hollywood Reporter reported, Native Son was founded in 2017 by Emil Wilbekin. Wilbekin, a professor and community organizer, has enjoyed the growth of the event over the last seven years, as he told the outlet in a statement.

“In the seven years since the inception of this Awards show, we’ve seen it grow, exponentially, to become a most anticipated tradition in the community where we gather to celebrate, not only Black queer excellence, but also Black queer joy,” Wilbekin wrote.

“We are so excited to recognize these 2024 honorees — an amazing group of men who truly personify the spirit of Black Queer Excellence in all that they do.”

The press release stated that Native Son “is a movement that exemplifies the duality of being Black and gay in a society that often shuns and belittles their unique experiences. This movement aims to create a safe space where the Black gay male community can fellowship, celebrate and empower each other, and—most importantly—see themselves.  From the world-renowned to the up-and-coming, Native Son aims to connect and celebrate the members of this influential, yet long ignored community in the realms of arts, business, media, fashion, politics and healthcare.”

Roach is a renowned celebrity stylist who boasts a clientele list including Zendaya, Megan Thee Stallion, Kerry Washington, and K.Michelle in addition to becoming the editor of British Vogue and the first person to receive the CFDA’s Stylist Award in 2022; Pope is a multi-hyphenate who is also a Grammy, Emmy, Golden Globe, and two-time Tony Award nominee; Jones is a two-time Tony Award winner and choreographer, director, dancer, and writer; Chambers is a Public Relations and communications professional who has worked with artists like Chaka Khan, Jill Scott, Usher, and Erykah Badu, in addition to being the founder and CEO of The Chambers Group; Boykin is a New York Times best-selling author, television and film producer, and provides political commentary for various networks; Maldonado is an activist, organizer, and the CEO of TruEvolution, a non-profit organization that is focused on LGBTQ+ justice and HIV+ equity. 

According to the press release, “The annual Native Son Awards celebrates Black gay and queer men who are maverick and trailblazers and who have broken barriers -both professionally and personally. Native Son is committed to inspiring and empowering Black gay and queer men with a mission to harness their collective power, ensuring that their voices, visibility and lived experiences are elevated.”

The awards will be hosted by former CNN anchor Don Lemon and will have awards presented by TV and film star Nicholas L. Ashe, fashion designer LaQuan Smith, the President of Color of Change Rashad Robinson, and writer, thought leader and 2024 Native Son Gala co-chair Darnell L. Moore. The awards, presented by Cadillac and Gilead Sciences, will be available for viewing via the Native Son accounts on Facebook and YouTube.

RELATED CONTENT: Yung Miami Supports ‘The Gays’ With A New Pride Capsule Collection

https://www.blackenterprise.com/missouri-restaurant-bliss-35-and-up-age-restriction/

There’s a new restaurant near St. Louis, Missouri that’s ensuring only the grown and sexy can enter its doors thanks to their 30 to 35 and up age requirement.

Bliss, a new upscale restaurant in Florissant, Missouri, will only allow women age 30 and up and men 35 and up to enjoy its West African and Caribbean cuisine, KAKE reports. Owners Marvin Pate, 36, and his wife opened the restaurant two weeks ago and requires patrons who enter to show their identification to a hostess or a St. Louis County police officer after 7 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

“It represents pure happiness and pure utopia. It’s a home away from home. You can come here and feel like you’re actually on a resort,” Pate said.

While most adults-only establishments come with 18 to 21 and up age requirements, Bliss is establishing a new model that caters to a more mature crowd of foodies.

“It’s just something for the older people to come do and have a happy hour, come get some good food, and not have to worry about some of the young folks that bring some of that drama,” Assistant Manager Erica Rhodes said.

As a result, Bliss has been under fire sparking a debate on social media due to their age restrictions.

“Of course, we have been getting a little backlash, but that’s OK because we’re sticking to our code,” he said.

A new restaurant in St. Louis called Bliss is going viral because of its age restriction policy. “Women must be 30, and men must be 35 to enter, we don't have to worry about the young folks who bring that drama.” pic.twitter.com/qDAvQdQ550

— Black Millionaires ® (@Blackmillions_) June 6, 2024

After a news brief on Bliss made its way across social media, many started sounding off with criticism about the age requirement difference between men and women.

“The only thing throwing me off is that the age requirement is different for men and women,” one critic wrote. “Either make it 30 for both or 35 for both. We have to stop reinforcing the myth that men mature slower.”

“I think both men and women should be 30. Let’s also understand that age doesn’t mean maturity either,” added someone else. “I know some 30-year-old women that would come in there start a fight and twerk.”

There were many others who expressed their support in Bliss establishing a setting for mature crowds who tend to leave the drama at home.

“Grown folks only and no twerking on the tables. I support it,” one person wrote.

“Need more spots like this,” someone else said.

The new restaurant plans to offer to-go orders in the coming weeks. For those too young to dine there, the Assistant Manager says they can come back in a couple of years when they’re old enough.

“Those younger ones, you can come patronize the business once you turn 30 or 35, because we’re gonna be here for a while,” Rhodes said.

RELATED CONTENT: 2 Men Shoot Each Other Following Dispute At Atlanta Wings Restaurant

https://www.essence.com/fashion/gabrielle-hitchens-raw-honey-queer-collective/

Raw Honey By Robyn Mowatt ·Updated June 12, 2024

On a warm spring day, I arrived with Gabrielle Hitchens at Brunch Harlem about an hour before she hosted a burlesque party. We set up the restaurant’s basement level, removing most of the seating. As time passed swiftly, guests started to arrive. I handed out ones to them to use for the burlesque dancers, who were the last to arrive at the packed event. The attire of the skilled dancers made me think of sophisticated lingerie, similar to Dita Von Teese’s >robes worn by one dancer. The tone of deep crimson is refreshing, too, as it appears on a two-piece lingerie set. Each individual dresses appropriately as guests ogle and applaud their athletic and sensual rhythmic dancing. What makes an impression on me is how the costuming and attire of the dancers set the stage for the immersive experience that Raw Honey, a collective by Hitchens, has been perfecting since the pandemic.  

Hitchens, the founder of the Raw Honey event collective, is more than just a promoter. She’s someone who enjoys seeing friendships blossom from one small introduction in real life. Hitchens is part em>queer and trans-BIPOC folks can show up as their most authentic selves. Whether she’s hosting a cheeky burlesque event in Harlem or a Pride Month party in Bushwick where Amorphous is spinning, Hitchens is adamant about creating a variety of events for guests seeking joy. If you’re looking to enjoy an evening out with friends, new or old, Raw Honey provides that, too. 

@official_kaikai

If you check out the collective’s Instagram page, you’ll see diverse attendees. Some are clad in skin-tight outfits, others are wearing streetwear, and some are decked out in femme clothing. Party attire takes many forms and that’s the beauty of the scene that was carved out specifically to provide a safe haven for those who are seeking kinship with other queer and trans people. One profound notion rings true: the collective which consists of Hitchens and her team since 2020, is dedicated to keeping their events safe and will be prioritizing safety protocols this year. 

The Seeds of Raw Honey

The seeds of Raw Honey were planted years ago, when Hitchens, a native of Indianapolis, Indiana, used to host impromptu house parties in her hometown while in high school. In a phone call earlier this month, she mentioned that growing up in the Midwest had a significant impact on shaping her into the person she is today. She explained that it taught her to embrace different perspectives, regions, dialects, cultures, and experiences. 

“I grew up in a more slow, traditional, Black religious household,” she said. Her father was a pastor at one point–and she has watched her mother juggle entrepreneurship while being a charismatic figure and member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in Indianapolis for decades. Due to her lineage, it’s safe to say she was built for the long hours that come with carving out a creative venture. 

As Hitchens has gotten older, she’s grappled with unpacking her identity–but she also channels this earnest desire to belong into Raw Honey. She’s aware of the fact that some who relocate to New York City and Brooklyn are on the hunt for events and people they can genuinely connect with. 

The Impact of Florida A&M University

Post-high school, Gabrielle attended Florida A&M University, where she studied business. What stood out to her most during her time there was the energetic and influential male promoters, such as James Highsmith and Aaron Waters-Hitchens. She respected not only their ability to pack parties but also their experience of interning in larger cities during breaks and their tales of their summer. It is common for students in the School of Business and Industry to intern on Wall Street. Highsmith and Waters went on to work in corporate roles after graduating–and she looked at thissrc="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/raw-honey-4.jpeg" alt="The Rise Of Raw Honey, The Queer Event Collective" width="400" height="499" />@official_kaikai

“FAMU specifically is where I just really learned my hustle from just interning with a lot of major companies,” she adds. The historically Black university pushed her in countless ways. Years later it led her to think about how she can make party experiences that she had in college relevant for her community of Black and brown queer folks. 

I met Hitchens during our first week at FAMU. I was immediately drawn to her bold and confident personality, which reminded me of my twin sister. Gabrielle had an innate ability to curate memorable experiences, like a massive block party on campus during our freshman year. This block party was led by Gabrielle, Joshua Smith, who now works in marketing for the Orlando Magic, and other members of our freshman class. 

The event eventually got shut down. There was music blaring from nearly every corner of the main part of FAMU’s campus in 2010, the set and there were nearly 1,000 bodies jampacked amongst one another. The high-spirited moment gave a taste of what was to come years later for Hitchens. 

A Young Professional Blossoming

After graduating, Hitchens pursued a career in corporate sales for Fortune 500 companies, starting with a job at Walmart in Kansas City. Later, she moved to Molson Coors under the umbrella of Miller Lite in 2016. She then relocated to Worcester, Massachusetts in the same year and to Bentonville, Arkansas in late 2018. In each of these cities, she worked tirelessly and with great dedication. In the latter cities, she had the budget to organize happy hours to encourage barhoppers and bar owners to try out new beers by Miller Coors.

She aimed to generate sales but also sought community as she began identifying as a queer woman at 25. In Kansas, Massachusetts, and Arkansas, she couldn’t find people who looked like her unless she was willing to drive an hour. Even when she did, there were times when events were largely white, gay, and male. This made her think about what the happy hours she was hosting would look like if she did it for people that align more with her, other Black and brown queer individuals.

@official_kaikai

A relocation to New Jersey and then Brooklyn to continue herdecoding="async" src="https://www.essence.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/raw-honey.jpeg" alt="The Rise Of Raw Honey, The Queer Event Collective" width="400" height="499" />@official_kaikai

She spearheads about eight events during New York City’s Pride Month festivities each year. Later this month, she will host six events under her coined moniker “Queerpalooza.” This will include a kickoff event on June 26, a Southern-themed party on June 28, a day party and a late-night leather party on June 29, and an age-restricted day party. The final festivity will take place on June 30th.

This year she was also able to branch out and host a Cowboy Carter-themed party in Atlanta. “We’ve done some wellness events from just pick up basketball to a spin class at Equinox and then a few different workout classes at Outbox NYC, which is a trans-owned and operated gym too.” Wellness and having fun are what she has focused on in the past, she aims to continue doing so in the future. 

To Hitchens declaring herself as a Black lesbian woman is pivotal to her life journey. She tells me she’s had to rework and rehash what it means to identify within these intersections. Gabrielle feels these complexities allow her to showcase her creative outlets outside of the corporate roles she’s had over the years. “The intersections of my identity are so unique and complex. At the same time, I feel like that’s what makes me fun and unique.” 

Creating Impactful Spaces

Earlier in our conversation, it hit me that though Hitchens has a business background, New York City nightlife has rapidly changed in recent years. Even with her strategizing and her unique acumen to generate ticket sales, she admits at times it is tough to stay motivated. She says this is largely due to how she feels queer and trans folks are up against so much. 

Gabrielle is driven by the lack of spaces for those who are marginalized–but she also firmly believes her community deserves quality spaces and experiences. “There’s a reason why there is a major gap between Black and Brown queer nightlife and White gay nightlife and Black gay men. There’s a reason why, and for all the QTBIPOC organizers and myself that are trying torel="tag">black queer black queerness

The post The Rise Of Raw Honey, The Queer Event Collective appeared first on Essence.