Sky Blossom

Last updated

Sky Blossom
Sky Blossom Poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Richard Lui
Produced by
CinematographyEliana Alvarez Martinez
Edited by
  • Bret Sigler
  • Zara Serabian Arthur
Music byMaria Lineva
Production
company
Sky Blossom Films
Distributed by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (DVD & Digital)
Release dates
  • October 29, 2020 (2020-10-29)(LA Asian Pacific Film Fest) [1]
  • November 11, 2020 (2020-11-11)
Running time
79 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$3.1 million (USD) [2]

Sky Blossom: Diaries of the Next Greatest Generation is a 2020 American documentary film directed by Richard Lui which profiles five students across the United States who are caregivers for their disabled military veteran parents or grandparents. Variety magazine named the film as a shortlist contender for the 2021 Oscars, and also qualified for that year's awards. [3] The film was the most widely distributed documentary of 2021. [4] It won the "Feature Film" category of the 72nd Christopher Awards. [5]

Contents

The documentary was released in theaters nationwide for one night only through a community partnership of AMC Theatres and Universal Pictures. [6] The film premiered at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts with a drive-in theater event on Veterans Day 2020. [7] [8] The film was later broadcast on MSNBC in May 2021. [9]

Synopsis

Five families are profiled in the film, each with a student providing care for a veteran parent or grandparent with disabilities. The film refers to these students as the "Next Greatest Generation." [10]

The film's title is inspired by a World War II era term for paratroopers coming to aid of the wounded on the ground. [11]

Production

The film was shot over four years. [12] The film is inspired by Director Richard Lui's personal experience as a caregiver for his father with Alzheimer's. Lui, an MSNBC news anchor, flew between his work in New York City and his father's home in San Francisco several times a month to help care for his father. [6]

The film is executive produced by television personality Montel Williams, actor David Hyde Pierce, Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Jack Jacobs, Bob & Dolores Hope Foundation CEO Linda Hope, and documentarian Jean Tsien. [13]

Style

The film blends fly-on-the-wall cinema verité with animation, archival video, and interviews conducted by the producers with each of the five families. The animated scenes, drawn by former Disney animator Davy Liu, show scenes of the children's heroism in caring for family members. Composer Maria Lineva wrote original leitmotifs for each of the five families to provide a unique musical sound for each family. The score was performed by a 48-person orchestra made up of students from the Berklee College of Music. [14]

Response

The film is supported by a bipartisan group of Members of the United States Congress, led by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. [6] Other lawmakers supporting the film include Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Senator Susan Collins, and Senator Tammy Duckworth. [15]

The film was nominated for "Best Documentary" at the AARP The Magazine 2021 Movies for Grownups Awards. [16] The film also won the Founders Choice Award at the GI Film Festival. [17]

Release

The film was released on DVD and Digital by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment on May 25, 2021. [18] [4] Later that week, the film was broadcast on MSNBC, with 374,000 viewers watching the 9pm broadcast. [19] Sky Blossom began streaming on Peacock in July 2021. [20]

The film's original soundtrack, composed by Maria Lineva and performed by the Berklee College of Music Contemporary Symphony Orchestra, was released by NBCUniversal's Back Lot Music, and was qualified for the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. [21]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Sea Inside</i> 2004 Spanish drama film

The Sea Inside is a 2004 Spanish psychological drama film co-written and directed by Alejandro Amenábar, who also co-produced, scored and edited. It is based on the real-life story of Ramón Sampedro, who was left quadriplegic after a diving accident, and his 28-year campaign in support of euthanasia and the right to end his life. The film won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

<i>The Father</i> (2020 film) Film directed by Florian Zeller

The Father is a 2020 psychological drama film directed by Florian Zeller, in his directorial debut; he co-wrote the screenplay with fellow playwright Christopher Hampton on the basis of Zeller's 2012 play Le Père, which is part of a trilogy that also includes Le Fils and The Mother. A French-British co-production, the film stars Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell, and Olivia Williams, and follows an octogenarian Welsh man living with dementia.

<i>Lackawanna Blues</i> (film) 2005 television film

Lackawanna Blues is a drama television film directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. It aired on HBO on February 12, 2005. It is based on the play of the same name by Santiago-Hudson. Wolfe had commissioned the stage version.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Awards are awards given out to "champion films made by and for grownups." Given annually by the AARP, they began in 2002 with the goal of encouraging Hollywood to make more movies by and about people over the age of 50. The first awards were announced in an issue of AARP the Magazine, before transitioning to an annual ceremony in 2006. Since 2018, the awards have been telecast throughout the United States on PBS.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Movie for Grownups is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP since the awards' inception in 2002. The award honors the best film in a given year made by or about people who are fifty years old or older. The Best Movie for Grownups Award is one of the seven original trophies issued by AARP the Magazine, along with awards for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Foreign Film, Best Documentary, and Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up.

The 7th AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, presented by AARP the Magazine, honored films released in 2007 made by people over the age of 50. The ceremony was held on February 4, 2008 at the Bel Air Hotel in Los Angeles, and was hosted by actors Jamie Lee Curtis and John Cleese. Hal Holbrook won the annual Career Achievement Award, and Gena Rowlands won the award for Breakthrough Achievement for her writing in Paris, je t'aime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Director</span>

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Director is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP since the awards' inception in 2002. The award honors the best director over the age of fifty. The Best Director Award is one of the seven original trophies issued by AARP the Magazine, along with awards for Best Movie for Grownups, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Foreign Film, Best Documentary, and Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor</span>

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actor is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP since the awards' inception in 2002. The award honors the best actor over the age of fifty. The Best Actor Award is one of the seven original trophies issued by AARP the Magazine, along with awards for Best Movie for Grownups, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Foreign Film, Best Documentary, and Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actress</span>

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Actress is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP since the awards' inception in 2002. The award honors the best actress over the age of fifty. The Best Actress Award is one of the seven original trophies issued by AARP the Magazine, along with awards for Best Movie for Grownups, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Foreign Film, Best Documentary, and Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Supporting Actor</span>

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP. The award honors an actor over the age of 50 who has given an outstanding performance in a film in a given year. The awards for Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress were first given at the 7th AARP Movies for Grownups Awards in 2008. Prior to that, the only individual acting awards were for Best Actor and Best Actress.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Supporting Actress is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP. The award honors an actress over the age of 50 who has given an outstanding supporting performance in a film in a given year. The awards for Supporting Actress and Supporting Actor were first given at the 7th AARP Movies for Grownups Awards in 2008. Prior to that, the only individual acting awards were for Best Actor and Best Actress.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Grownup Love Story is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by AARP the Magazine. The award honors the film with the best romance focused on adult characters, usually focusing on characters or performers over the age of 50. The award for Best Grownup Love Story was first given in 2003, when the awards expanded beyond their initial four categories of Best Movie for Grownups, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Intergenerational Film is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by AARP the Magazine. The award honors the film with the best portrayal of relationships between people of different ages. The award for Best Intergenerational Film was first given in 2003, when the awards expanded beyond their initial four categories of Best Movie for Grownups, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Time Capsule is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP. The award honors the film that best encapsulates a specific period in history, usually from the twentieth century. The award for Best Time Capsule was first given in 2003, when the awards expanded beyond their initial categories of Best Movie for Grownups, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Documentary, Best Foreign Film, and Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Documentary is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP. The award honors the best documentary film from a given year that is made by or focuses on people over the age of 50. The Best Documentary Award is one of the seven original trophies issued by AARP the Magazine, along with awards for Best Movie for Grownups, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Foreign Language Film, and Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Buddy Picture is one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP. The award honors the best film from a given year that is about friendship between people over the age of 50. The award for Best Buddy Picture was first given at the 7th AARP Movies for Grownups Awards. Other new awards that year were Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress.

The AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Movie for Grownups Who Refuse to Grow Up was one of the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards presented annually by the AARP. The award honored the best film in a given year that, while targeted at people below the age of 50, could still be enjoyed by an older audience. The award is one of the seven original trophies issued by AARP the Magazine, along with awards for Best Movie for Grownups, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Foreign Film, and Best Documentary. The award was discontinued after the 16th AARP Movies for Grownups Awards in 2017.

The 21st AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, presented by AARP the Magazine, honored films and television shows released in 2021 created by and about people over the age of 50. The ceremony hosted by Alan Cumming was held on March 18, 2022, and was broadcast on PBS as part of its Great Performances series. This was Cumming's second time hosting, having also hosted in 2018 in the first year the awards were broadcast on PBS. Nominations were announced on January 11, 2022, in The Hollywood Reporter.

<i>Unconditional</i> (2023 film) 2023 American film

UNCONDITIONAL is a 2023 American documentary film from MSNBC/NBC News anchor and filmmaker Richard Lui. Seven years in the making, it profiles three families at the intersection of mental health and caregiving as they turn the corner, showing the power of relearning how to love.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alex Lo</span> American film & television producer

Alex Lo is an American film and television producer. Lo rose to prominence with his Christopher Award winning producing debut, Sky Blossom (2021), released theatrically nationwide through a community partnership of Universal Pictures and AMC Theatres. Lo's other producing credits includes the documentary feature UNCONDITIONAL (2023), which was screened at the White House by First Lady Jill Biden, and for Members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol.

References

  1. ↑ "Sky Blossom" . Retrieved June 3, 2021.
  2. ↑ https://skyblossom.com/content/media/Sky-Blossom-Press-Kit.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  3. ↑ Davis, Clayton (November 19, 2020). "Oscars Predictions: Best Documentary Feature – 'Dick Johnson' Is NOT Dead in the Race". Variety. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  4. 1 2 Films, Sky Blossom. "Walmart, AMC Theatres, and NBCUniversal Team-Up for Community Effort". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  5. ↑ Christophers, The. "72nd Annual Christopher Award Winners Celebrate Courage, Faith, And Hope". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 Lejeune, Tristan (November 10, 2020). "New doc from MSNBC's Richard Lui examines young Americans who care for disabled family members". TheHill. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  7. ↑ "New documentary highlights young veteran caregivers of color". NBC News. November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  8. ↑ "A new film honors the young people who care for our nation's heroes who keep our nation safe". wusa9.com. November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ @msnbc (May 28, 2021). "From @MSNBC anchor @RichardLui comes "Sky Blossom…" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 10, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2023– via Twitter.
  10. ↑ "The Next Greatest Generation". palabra. November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  11. ↑ Gima, Craig (November 20, 2020). "The Hawaii Herald - Hawaii's Japanese American Journal". The Hawaii Herald. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  12. ↑ "New documentary shows young people caring for veteran family members". www.kitv.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  13. ↑ Films, Sky Blossom (November 27, 2020). "The Museum of Tolerance Hosts a Thanksgiving Family Event, An Exclusive Screening for the Film SKY BLOSSOM: Diaries of the Next Greatest Generation". WFMZ.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  14. ↑ Sky Blossom (2020) - IMDb , retrieved December 2, 2020
  15. ↑ "Congressional Honorary Co-Chairs – Sky Blossom". skyblossom.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  16. ↑ "2021 AARP Movies for Grownups Awards Nominations List". The Hollywood Reporter. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Sky Blossom: Diaries of the Next Greatest Generation". 2021 GI Film Festival San Diego. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  18. ↑ "Sky Blossom". www.uphe.com. March 26, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  19. ↑ "Saturday, May 29 Scoreboard: Jeanine Pirro Takes Top Spot on Cable News". adweek.it. June 2, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  20. ↑ Wilson, Bill (June 30, 2021). "New on Peacock: July 2021". Roku Blog.
  21. ↑ "'Sky Blossom' Soundtrack Released | Film Music Reporter" . Retrieved February 3, 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.