Odessa Rae

Last updated
Odessa Rae
Odessa Rae.jpg
Rae in 2020
Born (1982-05-23) May 23, 1982 (age 41)
Calgary, Canada
Other namesJennifer Holmes
Alma mater University of Toronto
Occupation(s)Film producer, actor
Known forProducer of Navalny

Odessa Rae is a Canadian born, American film producer and actor, known for producing the documentary Navalny , which won the Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards. [1] [2] She has acted in multiple feature films and TV episodes, including Hard Candy , Smallville , and Movie 43 . Odessa was key in the formation of Ivanhoe Pictures, which produced the box office hit, Crazy Rich Asians . [3] In 2021, Rae launched RaeFilm Studios, and is now focusing on the development and production of non-fiction content. [4]

Contents

Rae is working alongside producer Karim Amer on a documentary focused on the war in Ukraine, which is still in the filming process. [5]

Biography

Odessa's early life was spent between North America, Asia and India. She studied International Relations at University of Toronto, is fluent in Japanese and conversationally fluent in several other languages. She began her film career in Japan. Widely known through appearances in commercials with Brad Pitt, she was offered a SKY TV show in Japan called Bravo. From there she went on to co-write, produce and star in her first feature film, Jenifa. In 2018 she produced and directed a short documentary for the UNHCR called Clear Blue Skies. This project led to the production of a full-length documentary The Story Won't Die, released on Amazon Prime July 2022. [4]

Filmography

Executive producer

YearTitleDirectorNotes
2016Of Dust and Bones Diane Bell

Producer

YearTitleDirectorNotes
2022 Navalny Daniel Roher Winner, Best Documentary at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)

Winner, Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards

2022The Story Won't DieDavid Henry Gerson
2023 Hollywoodgate Ibrahim Nash’at
2023 Defiant Karim Amer

Actor

YearTitleRoleNotes
2024 Chosen Family FrancesPost-production
2018 Half Magic Roxy
2017 Hangman TV Reporter
2015Always WorthyTV Reporter
2014AsthmaBathing Wings
2013 Movie 43 Danita
2012The VisitDiana Short
Gabe the Cupid DogCarissa
Rizzoli & Isles Yoga InstructorTV series
2011Man Without a HeadVenula
My Dog's Christmas MiracleCrystal
2010Rules of EngagementGretchenTV series
Smallville Maggie McDougal/Silver BansheeTV series
LeverageCora McRoryTV series
Let the Game BeginPatient PatientTV series

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References

  1. "'Their eyes were burning': Former Calgarian producer Odessa Rae heads for Oscars Sunday for Navalny". Calgary. 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  2. "Calgary producer, animators and dancer among those who represented the city at the 2023 Oscars". Calgary. 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  3. "The little-known film company that made 'Crazy Rich Asians' possible". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  4. 1 2 "Odessa Rae". IMDb. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  5. "Opinion: Putin's nemesis has a spirit that can outlast any strongman". 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2023-03-12.