Stars: Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jeffrey Donovan, Kevin Wiggins, Brett Gelman | Written by Andrew Pagana, Justin Thomas | Directed by Anthony Mandler
Surrounded is the latest in a long line of black-themed Westerns that stretches from early efforts like The Bull-Dogger and Harlem on the Prairie through John Ford’s Sergeant Rutledge and Blazing Saddles. Blacksploitation star Fred Williamson had a string of horse operas, such as Take a Hard Ride and the provocatively titled Boss N*gger, one of three films he made to use that word in the title. More recently we’ve had Django Unchained and Murder at Yellowstone City, neither of which impressed me. Can this unhyped and unheralded entry in the genre deliver the goods?
Five years after the end of the Civil War former slave and Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington is travelling west. Mo has a secret, two of them in fact,...
Surrounded is the latest in a long line of black-themed Westerns that stretches from early efforts like The Bull-Dogger and Harlem on the Prairie through John Ford’s Sergeant Rutledge and Blazing Saddles. Blacksploitation star Fred Williamson had a string of horse operas, such as Take a Hard Ride and the provocatively titled Boss N*gger, one of three films he made to use that word in the title. More recently we’ve had Django Unchained and Murder at Yellowstone City, neither of which impressed me. Can this unhyped and unheralded entry in the genre deliver the goods?
Five years after the end of the Civil War former slave and Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington is travelling west. Mo has a secret, two of them in fact,...
- 6/26/2023
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
And now for something completely different: After attracting attention and appreciation with his debut feature, “Monster,” a riveting contemporary drama about a Black high school honor student charged as an accessory to a fatal shooting in his Harlem neighborhood, director Anthony Mandler continues to impress with his sophomore effort, “Surrounded,” an exceptionally well-crafted Western that spins a gripping, racially charged tale of suspicion, deception and survival in post-Civil War New Mexico. Echoes of Sergio Leone, Budd Boetticher and John Ford abound throughout the sturdy screenplay by Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas. But the movie is less a genre pastiche than a multifaceted character study in which perfectly cast lead players Letitia Wright (“Black Panther”) and Jamie Bell (“Snowpiercer”) do most of the narrative heavy lifting.
It’s 1870, and ex-slave Mo Washington (Wright) is determined to start a new life by journeying westward. Disguised as a man for her own protection,...
It’s 1870, and ex-slave Mo Washington (Wright) is determined to start a new life by journeying westward. Disguised as a man for her own protection,...
- 6/20/2023
- by Joe Leydon
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: MGM has boarded world sales rights to western Surrounded, starring Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell, Jeffrey Donovan, Brett Gelman and the late Michael K. Williams in his last movie role.
Anthony Mandler directed the feature, which has been in post-production since early 2021.
Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas penned the script, which is set five years after the Civil War, where former Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington travels west to lay claim on a gold mine bequeathed by her late slaveowner father. It is a mean, dangerous world for an unaccompanied Black woman and so Mo travels into the deep frontier disguised as a man. After her stagecoach is ambushed, she is tasked with holding a dangerous outlaw captive and must survive the day when the bandit’s gang tries to free him.
Bron co-produced with Blackhand Media Production, in association with Mandalay Pictures, 3.16 Productions and Creative Wealth Media. Producers...
Anthony Mandler directed the feature, which has been in post-production since early 2021.
Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas penned the script, which is set five years after the Civil War, where former Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington travels west to lay claim on a gold mine bequeathed by her late slaveowner father. It is a mean, dangerous world for an unaccompanied Black woman and so Mo travels into the deep frontier disguised as a man. After her stagecoach is ambushed, she is tasked with holding a dangerous outlaw captive and must survive the day when the bandit’s gang tries to free him.
Bron co-produced with Blackhand Media Production, in association with Mandalay Pictures, 3.16 Productions and Creative Wealth Media. Producers...
- 12/5/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
With an already amazing track record as a music video helmer / television commercial director Anthony Mandler saw his debut feature film Monster break into the Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and it finally got released this year via the Sundance folks. We doubt it’ll be that long of a wait for his sophomore feature which went into production in November of 2019. We a shoot in New Mexico, Mandler’s Surrounded was surrounded by the likes of Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell, and Michael K. Williams – this counts as the actor’s final work before his premature death. A Civil War era project penned by Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas, supporting players include Jeffrey Donovan and Brett Gelman.…...
- 11/24/2021
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
Exclusive: Jeffrey Donovan and Brett Gelman have joined Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell, and Michael K. Williams in the Bron Studios drama Surrounded, which is being directed by Anthony Mandler.
Written by Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas, the plot follows former Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington who, five years after the Civil War, travels West to lay claim on a gold mine bequeathed by her late slaveowner father. It is a mean, dangerous world for an unaccompanied Black woman and so Mo travels into the deep frontier disguised as a man. After her stagecoach is ambushed, she is tasked with holding a dangerous outlaw captive and must survive the day when the bandit’s gang tries to free him.
Donovan will play Wheeler, a successful rancher who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, while Gelman portrays Mr. Fields, a larger than...
Written by Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas, the plot follows former Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington who, five years after the Civil War, travels West to lay claim on a gold mine bequeathed by her late slaveowner father. It is a mean, dangerous world for an unaccompanied Black woman and so Mo travels into the deep frontier disguised as a man. After her stagecoach is ambushed, she is tasked with holding a dangerous outlaw captive and must survive the day when the bandit’s gang tries to free him.
Donovan will play Wheeler, a successful rancher who finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, while Gelman portrays Mr. Fields, a larger than...
- 12/17/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Letitia Wright, Jamie Bell and Michael K. Williams will star in Bron Studios’ Surrounded with Anthony Mandler directing. The film is set to begin production in New Mexico in November.
Bron will co-produce with Blackhand Media Production, in association with Mandalay Pictures, 3.16 Productions and Creative Wealth Media. This is the first film from Blackhand Media, a partnership between director-producer Mandler and Bron Studios. The pic is being produced by Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Mandler and Derek Iger for Blackhand, Mandalay’s Jason Michael Berman, and Wright and Ade O’Adesina of 3.16. Jason Cloth, William Green and Aaron Ginsberg are the executive producers. Brent Morris is the line producer/Upm.
Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas penned the script.
The film is set five years after the Civil War, where former Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington travels west to lay claim on a gold mine bequeathed by her late slaveowner father.
Bron will co-produce with Blackhand Media Production, in association with Mandalay Pictures, 3.16 Productions and Creative Wealth Media. This is the first film from Blackhand Media, a partnership between director-producer Mandler and Bron Studios. The pic is being produced by Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert, Mandler and Derek Iger for Blackhand, Mandalay’s Jason Michael Berman, and Wright and Ade O’Adesina of 3.16. Jason Cloth, William Green and Aaron Ginsberg are the executive producers. Brent Morris is the line producer/Upm.
Andrew Pagana and Justin Thomas penned the script.
The film is set five years after the Civil War, where former Buffalo Soldier Moses “Mo” Washington travels west to lay claim on a gold mine bequeathed by her late slaveowner father.
- 10/29/2020
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Playing as part of this year's Screamfest L.A. is the indie flick Parlor, and we just happened upon the flick's festival one-sheet while it was hanging around. Check it out, and look for full coverage from the event soon!
From the Press Release
The writing/directing team of Kenny Gage and Devon Downs will host the world-wide premiere of their new horror film, Parlor, during this year’s Screamfest film festival. The well-known genre festival kicks off its 14th annual event in Los Angeles on October 14 through October 23 at the Tcl Chinese 6 Theatres (6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028).
The film follows six young college hopefuls vacationing and partying in Eastern Europe who get more than they bargained for when they unwittingly get caught up in a maniacal tattoo artist’s fiendish side business.
Parlor stars Robert Lasardo ("Nip/Tuck," Death Race, Human Centipede III) as the character known as “The Artist,...
From the Press Release
The writing/directing team of Kenny Gage and Devon Downs will host the world-wide premiere of their new horror film, Parlor, during this year’s Screamfest film festival. The well-known genre festival kicks off its 14th annual event in Los Angeles on October 14 through October 23 at the Tcl Chinese 6 Theatres (6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028).
The film follows six young college hopefuls vacationing and partying in Eastern Europe who get more than they bargained for when they unwittingly get caught up in a maniacal tattoo artist’s fiendish side business.
Parlor stars Robert Lasardo ("Nip/Tuck," Death Race, Human Centipede III) as the character known as “The Artist,...
- 8/22/2014
- by Steve Barton
- DreadCentral.com
IFC Midnight acquired North American rights to Cinipix’s action/thriller Raze, directed by Josh Waller. The film, written by Robert Beaucage, stars Zoe Bell, Rachel Nichols, Tracie Thoms and Sherilyn Fenn, and made its world premiere at last month’s Tribeca Film Festival. Cinipix financed Raze. The film was produced by Kenny Gage and Andy Pagana. Raze follows Sabrina, a woman who is mysteriously abducted and held captive in an underground lair, where she is forced to do battle with other innocents for the amusement of unseen spectators. Each of these reluctant warriors has something to lose, but only one will remain when the game is done. Jonathan Sehring, President of Sundance Selects/IFC Films, said: “Josh Waller has crafted the most intense and unique action film that we have seen in a long time. With the magnificent Zoe Bell leading a strong female cast, Raze delivers and then some.
- 5/18/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Watch the trailer and see the first poster for Josh C. Waller's Raze, starring Zoe Bell and Rachel Nichols, as well as Tracie Thoms, Sherilyn Fenn, Doug Jones, Bruce Thomas, Rebecca Marshall and Rosario Dawson. In all honesty, I've never heard of this one, but it's good to see Bell working with Thoms again after the Grindhouse's Death Proof segment bac in 2007. I recall speaking to both of them at the Atlanta Motor Speedway about that one, time flies. Moving on... Waller helms the film, and also wrote the story alongside Kenny Gage and Robert Beaucage, who in turn wrote the script. Raze opens April 21st, 2013 and is produced by Andrew Pagana, Gage, Waller and Bell.
- 4/5/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Watch the trailer and see the first poster for Josh C. Waller's Raze, starring Zoe Bell and Rachel Nichols, as well as Tracie Thoms, Sherilyn Fenn, Doug Jones, Bruce Thomas, Rebecca Marshall and Rosario Dawson. In all honesty, I've never heard of this one, but it's good to see Bell working with Thoms again after the Grindhouse's Death Proof segment bac in 2007. I recall speaking to both of them at the Atlanta Motor Speedway about that one, time flies. Moving on... Waller helms the film, and also wrote the story alongside Kenny Gage and Robert Beaucage, who in turn wrote the script. Raze opens April 21st, 2013 and is produced by Andrew Pagana, Gage, Waller and Bell.
- 4/5/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Sneak Peek stunt woman/martial artist Zoë Bell ("Death Proof", "Django Unchained", "Kill Bill") in a new clip, images and posters from the upcoming 'underground fight' film, produced by Bell, titled "Raze".
The film co-stars Rachel Nichols ("Star Trek"), Doug Jones ("Hellboy"), Sherilyn Fenn ("Twin Peaks"), Bruce Thomas ("Legally Blonde"), Rebecca Marshall ("Saw 3D: The Final Chapter"), Bailey Anne Borders ("The Change Up"), Allene Quincy ("The Sentient"), Adrienne Wilkinson ("Xena Warrior Princess") and Tara Macken ("The Hunger Games") :
"...'Jamie' (Nichols) finds herself in a concrete bunker, and she discovers that she is not alone.
"She and "Sabrina' (Bell), both soon realize they are in a modern day arena, where, along with 48 other women, they are condemned to kill each other in order to protect their loved ones..."
"We wanted to show an experience and emotional ride," said Bell who also produced the new film, with Kenny Gage, Andrew Pagana and Josh Waller.
The film co-stars Rachel Nichols ("Star Trek"), Doug Jones ("Hellboy"), Sherilyn Fenn ("Twin Peaks"), Bruce Thomas ("Legally Blonde"), Rebecca Marshall ("Saw 3D: The Final Chapter"), Bailey Anne Borders ("The Change Up"), Allene Quincy ("The Sentient"), Adrienne Wilkinson ("Xena Warrior Princess") and Tara Macken ("The Hunger Games") :
"...'Jamie' (Nichols) finds herself in a concrete bunker, and she discovers that she is not alone.
"She and "Sabrina' (Bell), both soon realize they are in a modern day arena, where, along with 48 other women, they are condemned to kill each other in order to protect their loved ones..."
"We wanted to show an experience and emotional ride," said Bell who also produced the new film, with Kenny Gage, Andrew Pagana and Josh Waller.
- 4/4/2013
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Hot on the bloody heels of recently wrapped horror battle film Raze, Cinipix and Slater Brothers Entertainment are set to produce another gritty action/drama feature, The Devil’s Ink. Raze producer Kenny Gage and Devon Downs have written and are set to direct the film, which will go into production in October. Todd Slater and Andy Pagana, also of Raze, are slated to produce.
The Devil’s Ink cast includes Raze’s Zoe Bell (Oblivion, Django Unchained), Rj Mitte (Breaking Bad), Robert Lasardo (Death Race, Nip/Tuck), Richard Cabral (End of Watch, Southland), Sandra Vergara (Fright Night, God Bless America), Shayla Beesley and Louis Iacoviello.
When sexy ex-con Samantha Black (Bell) finds her Venice Beach tattoo parlor at the center of a scandal involving two dirty cops and the sex trafficking of underaged girls, her retribution is swift, bloody — think Cohen Brothers on ‘roids and Red Bull — and hardcore to the bone.
The Devil’s Ink cast includes Raze’s Zoe Bell (Oblivion, Django Unchained), Rj Mitte (Breaking Bad), Robert Lasardo (Death Race, Nip/Tuck), Richard Cabral (End of Watch, Southland), Sandra Vergara (Fright Night, God Bless America), Shayla Beesley and Louis Iacoviello.
When sexy ex-con Samantha Black (Bell) finds her Venice Beach tattoo parlor at the center of a scandal involving two dirty cops and the sex trafficking of underaged girls, her retribution is swift, bloody — think Cohen Brothers on ‘roids and Red Bull — and hardcore to the bone.
- 9/16/2012
- by Phil
- Nerdly
Zoe Bell. Mention her name, and you immediately have our attention. Rarely has a more badass person walked the earth. The fact that she's pretty damned hot doesn't hurt too much either. Read on for the latest project featuring Bell.
From the Press Release
Hot on the bloody heels of recently wrapped horror battle film Raze, Cinipix and Slater Brothers Entertainment are set to produce another gritty action/drama feature, The Devil’s Ink.
Raze producer Kenny Gage and Devon Downs have written and are set to direct the film, which will go into production in October. Todd Slater and Andy Pagana, also of Raze, are slated to produce.
The Devil's Ink cast includes Raze's Zoe Bell (Oblivion, Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained), Rj Mitte ("Breaking Bad"), Robert Lasardo (Death Race, Marble City, "Nip/Tuck"), Richard Cabral (End of Watch, "Southland"), Sandra Vergara (Fright Night, God Bless America), Shayla Beesley...
From the Press Release
Hot on the bloody heels of recently wrapped horror battle film Raze, Cinipix and Slater Brothers Entertainment are set to produce another gritty action/drama feature, The Devil’s Ink.
Raze producer Kenny Gage and Devon Downs have written and are set to direct the film, which will go into production in October. Todd Slater and Andy Pagana, also of Raze, are slated to produce.
The Devil's Ink cast includes Raze's Zoe Bell (Oblivion, Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained), Rj Mitte ("Breaking Bad"), Robert Lasardo (Death Race, Marble City, "Nip/Tuck"), Richard Cabral (End of Watch, "Southland"), Sandra Vergara (Fright Night, God Bless America), Shayla Beesley...
- 9/7/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Two lovely ladies. Sweatpants. Answers. That's what you get in two candid on-set videos from Raze featuring stars Zoe Bell and Rachel Nichols. These two field questions from would-be fans curious to know more about the film which has the actresses beating the crap out of one another. Director Josh C. Waller is currently in production on the action-horror film about a young woman who is abducted by an elite, secret society and wakes to find herself in the company of fifty other women who are, just like her, forced to fight for their lives in an unimaginable hell. Bell, Nichols, Kenny Gage, Andy Pagana, Josh C. Waller, Louis Iacoviello and Robert Beaucage star.
- 12/5/2011
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Certain Thursday mornings deviate from the norm, and such was the case last week when we hit the set of action/horror flick Raze to interview blood-spattered and dirt-smudged stars Zoe Bell and Rachel Nichols and director Josh C. Waller following a morning of scripted mayhem. Click through to watch an extensive video clip with the trio and for more info from the director of the film currently shooting in Los Angeles.
Scripted by executive producer Louis Iacoviello and producer Kenny Gage (with additional producer credits going to Robert Beaucage, Andrew Pagana, Bill Ceresia, Zoë Bell and director Waller), the feature was in its sixth day of shooting when we caught up with the director and his cast, who, while taking a break from filming a particularly brutal hand-to-hand combat scene (Bell and Nichols were truly going for it), gave us the lowdown on the flick.
“We are shooting Raze...
Scripted by executive producer Louis Iacoviello and producer Kenny Gage (with additional producer credits going to Robert Beaucage, Andrew Pagana, Bill Ceresia, Zoë Bell and director Waller), the feature was in its sixth day of shooting when we caught up with the director and his cast, who, while taking a break from filming a particularly brutal hand-to-hand combat scene (Bell and Nichols were truly going for it), gave us the lowdown on the flick.
“We are shooting Raze...
- 11/22/2011
- by SeanD.
- DreadCentral.com
This writer hit the production of director Josh C. Waller’s currently filming action/horror flick Raze yesterday, November 17th, in Los Angeles, California, and while our report is imminent, we can today present you with an exclusive still from the set featuring the filmmaker and cast members Zoë Bell and Rachel Nichols. Read on!
Scripted by executive producer Louis Iacoviello and producer Kenny Gage (with additional producer credits going to Robert Beaucage, Andrew Pagana, Bill Ceresia, Bell and director Waller), the feature was in its sixth day of shooting upon our arrival; and stars Bell (Grindhouse) and Nichols (P2) were engaged in some particularly brutal and bloody hand-to-hand combat. What better way for the former to celebrate her birthday?
Stay tuned as next week we’ll deliver you a rather lengthy video interview with director Waller, Bell, and Nichols as well as additional photos and further information on the flick,...
Scripted by executive producer Louis Iacoviello and producer Kenny Gage (with additional producer credits going to Robert Beaucage, Andrew Pagana, Bill Ceresia, Bell and director Waller), the feature was in its sixth day of shooting upon our arrival; and stars Bell (Grindhouse) and Nichols (P2) were engaged in some particularly brutal and bloody hand-to-hand combat. What better way for the former to celebrate her birthday?
Stay tuned as next week we’ll deliver you a rather lengthy video interview with director Waller, Bell, and Nichols as well as additional photos and further information on the flick,...
- 11/18/2011
- by SeanD.
- DreadCentral.com
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