Lately, there has been a lot of hype about Russell Brand in the News and particularly in social media. Brand seems to be cloaking himself as a political robin-hood character against capitalism and corruption. According to Deadline, the South By Southwest 2015 film festival will open with the film BRAND: A Second Coming. This feature-length documentary is about the comedian’s evolution from drug addict to movie star to political battler. The documentary will be directed by Ondi Timoner (Dig!, We Live in Public).
If you wish to hear more of Russell Brand’s controversial opinions, SXSW has announced Brand as one of 2015’s guest speakers. The panel will also include Brian Grazer and Morgan Spurlock. The panel will take place on March 13th in Austin, Texas.
Another comedian, turned independent filmmaker, James Franco will also be releasing an indie feature film directed by Gabrielle Demestre. Using Franco’s production company Rabbit Bandini Productions, the film will track the chronicles of three 5th graders during 1985 living in Palo Alto, CA. The teenagers’ lives become mixed-up together when mountain lions threaten their small town existence. The film will premiere at the Slamdance 2015 film festival on January 25.
You will also, be lucky enough, to see Franco live at a coffee talk before the festival. With big names like this, hopefully these festivals will entice a few audience members away from Sundance. Spreading the love for indie film making around the globe.