Freaky Tales
Directed byAnna Boden
Ryan Fleck
Screenplay by
  • Anna Boden
  • Ryan Fleck
Produced by
  • Anna Boden
  • Ryan Fleck
  • Jelani Johnson
  • Poppy Hanks
Starring
CinematographyJac Fitzgerald
Edited byRobert Komatsu
Music byRaphael Saadiq
Production
companies
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
January 18, 2024 (Sundance)
Running time
106 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Freaky Tales is a 2024 American drama film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. The film stars Pedro Pascal, Boden and Fleck's longtime collaborator Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Dominique Thorne, singer Normani in her feature film debut, Jack Champion, and Angus Cloud in one of his final roles.[2][3]

Premise

The film depicts four interconnected stories taking place at real locations and during real historical events in 1987 Oakland, California.

Cast

Production

It was announced in August 2022 that Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck would be writing and directing the film. It is based on Fleck's memories of growing up in Oakland, California in the 1980s, and be a celebration of the city's culture. Oakland musician Too Short will serve as an executive producer.[4] In November, Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn and Jay Ellis were among the cast announced for the film, which will also includes multiple notable figures from the Oakland area.[5][6] Ji-Young Yoo would join the cast the following month.[7]

Filming began on November 14, 2022 and wrapped on January 12, 2023 in Oakland, with production taking place on Telegraph Avenue.[8][9][10]

Release

The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024.[11] Shortly before the premiere, Deadline Hollywood reported that Lionsgate had distribution rights to the film following their acquisition of Entertainment One, although there was still a possibility that another interested distributor could acquire it.[12]

Reception

Valerie Complex of Deadline Hollywood praised the film's visuals, makeup, costumes and soundtrack that "immediately immerse the audience in the look and feel of late 80s Oakland." She also wrote positively about "the magnetic performances by its all star cast", especially Pascal's. However, she criticized the narrative, writing that it "struggles to weave these stories into a satisfying whole and without these talented players embracing the commitment required, the film would crumble under its own ambition."[13]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
Variety & Golden Globe's Breakthrough Artist Awards 19 January 2024 Breakthrough Award Normani Honoree [14]

References

  1. "Freaky Tales". Sundance Film Festival. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  2. "Sundance 2024: the biggest films to look out for from this year's festival | Sundance 2024 | The Guardian". amp.theguardian.com. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  3. "10 most-anticipated movies from Sundance 2024". EW.com. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  4. Kroll, Justin (August 30, 2022). "Captain Marvels Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck To Write And Direct Freaky Tales For eOne, Macro". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  5. Kroll, Justin (November 16, 2022). "Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis And Jack Champion Among Those Joining Ensemble Of eOne And Macro's Freaky Tales From Ryan Fleck And Anna Boden". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  6. "Freaky Tales Sets Leading Cast with Stars Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, and Jay Ellis from Entertainment One and Macro Studios". Entertainment One. November 16, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  7. Kroll, Justin (December 5, 2022). "Sky Is Everywheres Ji-Young Yoo Joins eOne And Macro's Freaky Tales'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  8. Gentile, Dan (November 26, 2022). "Movie inspired by iconic Bay Area rap song 'Freaky Tales' filming in Oakland". SFGATE. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  9. "New film Freaky Tales being shot in Oakland through January; Film sets impact small businesses". KABC-TV. November 17, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  10. "'80s thriller, 'Freaky Tales' has wrapped up filming". Twitter. January 12, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  11. D'Alessandro, Anthony; Patten, Dominic (December 6, 2023). "Sundance Unveils Packed 2024 Lineup That Includes A.I., Pedro Pascal, Kristen Stewart, Satan, Devo & Steven Yeun". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  12. Fleming, Mike Jr (January 18, 2024). "Sundance 2024 Hot List: Lotta Snow, But Deal Flurry Forecast More Elusive". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  13. Complex, Valerie (January 18, 2024). "'Freaky Tales' Review: Magnetic Performances Temper Uneven Oakland Anthology – Sundance Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  14. Earl, William (January 11, 2024). "Variety and the Golden Globe Awards Announce Party at Sundance Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
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