i’m happy to announce that my 2018 feature film THREE WORLDS is finally available worldwide on APPLE TV.
like much of my work, this is proudly not a film for everyone, nonetheless, everyone on earth should in fact buy it ;)
THREE WORLDS
2018
Samantha Robinson
What is the movie "Three Worlds" about?
Every week since its release, I get an email (or several) asking a question similar to this, “hi, can you please explain “the XYZ” scene in your movie Three Worlds (sometimes they spell it “3 worlds”). Occasionally, I get the all encompassing, “what is the movie Three Worlds about?”
I try to reply back to all the sincere questions, but the answer is not a fully satisfied one, though the response to my answer seems to be enough.
I recently tried to think if I had ever thought about “meaning” in a film. And it occurred to me that I had not, at least not in a concrete way, but I assume this is irregular.
My answer is always the same; “I have my ideas about what the scene (film) is about, but yours are better than mine, even if you haven’t decided yet.”
Happy Thanksgiving Friends, enjoy time with your loved ones. And if are particularly feeling alone, reach out and say hello.
Screening dates and events coming up for THREE WORLDS & MAN!
Our producer Charles Borg hosts IFP CHICAGO’s “Filmmakers Friday” on Friday, November 9th at 4:30pm where we present both THREE WORLDS and MAN, followed by a Q/A and mixer.
On November 14th, at 5:15, MAN screens at Tribeca Flashpoint Chicago at the “Screening Room” followed by a discussion.
Both events are free to the public.
Additional Screening Dates set for MAN & THREE WORLDS
After a great THREE WORLDS screening and panel (moderated by Omar McClinton) at VAiFF, we picked up two additional dates in Chicago to see the films screened.
We will be doing a “Filmmakers Friday” at IFP CHICAGO on Friday, November 9th at 4:30pm where we present both THREE WORLDS and MAN, followed by a Q/A and mixer.
On November 14th, at 5:15, MAN screens at Flashpoint Chicago at the “Screening Room” followed by a discussion. Please contact with appropriate heading to be included in the guest list for this event.
"Three Worlds" invited to screen as a "Festival Spotlight" film at VAiFF
Three Worlds screens once again in Chicago as a “Festival Spotlight” film for the annual VAiFF. Screening takes place at 1:30pm, Sunday Oct 7th at Fort Knox Studios. Producers will be on hand to take questions. Tickets for the event are part of the festival pass. Click here:
THREE WORLDS Reviewed by Premier Arthouse Cinema Site PINNLAND EMPIRE
in Amir Motlagh, Art, Cinema, Film Festival, Film
When you make art & you put it out into the world, it becomes a vulnerable time if you haven’t done the necessary work to detach. Essentially, equanimity is the only barrier between this raw period and the world. I seldom read or look at reviews, but this one was a bit different because I felt the reviewer got it (the essence), for lack of a better term, and that connection is wonderful.
So, when you got a moment, check out this THREE WORLDS review from the stellar arthouse cinema site, PINNLAND EMPIRE.
“Amir Motlagh dispels some of the superficial stigmas put on Los Angeles while at the same time embraces the very real superficialities associated with L.A. (outside of Los Angeles being the epicenter of the entertainment industry, it’s a very cool city unlike any other if you know the right people).
And putting all Mekas/Malick comparisons aside, this is very much Motlagh’s own film. The movie is filled with obvious autobiographical content that comes off as genuine & organic as opposed to pretentious. That’s not an easy task with a film like this (ambient, sprawling, artistic and sometimes chaotic). A young filmmaker could easily get self-absorbed & pretentious with a movie like Three Worlds but that’s not the case here.
This will definitely require a second (or third) viewing. And that’s a good thing. This isn’t something to fully digest in one sitting.”
Three Worlds Upcoming Screenings
“Three Worlds” screens Sept 23rd at the Mockingbird Cinema, Birmingham UK as part of the B’ham Sci-Fi Convention Fest. Then back to Chicago, as the “Spotlight Film” for VAiFF Fest Oct 7th (location info coming shortly).
THREE WORLDS is HERE!!
You can finally watch THREE WORLDS on Vimeo On Demand starting now! This is the soft launch, with many platforms coming soon including Amazon Prime. Though, being an amazing first adapter, you don't like waiting.
I don't want to say too much about the film, but it is a unique experience. Like my other film MAN, it benefits from putting the phone and distractions away for 90 minutes. Though, while part of the same series of works, THREE WORLDS is nothing like MAN on a structural/formalistic level. (if you haven't watched MAN, click here).
Additional info:
Three Worlds is a psychological science fiction drama that explores the three lives, or 'worlds,' of a man who undergoes an experiment that triggers haunting memories and alternate life memories.
Written & Directed by Amir Motlagh
Produced by ANIMALS, Amir Motlagh, Charles Borg
Director of Photography: Amir Motlagh
Starring:
Amir Motlagh
Samantha Robinson
Rey Deegan
Keaton Shyler
Gregory Linington
Editing: Bryan Tuck, Amir Motlagh
Original Score by Julian DW Brink
Sound Designer & Re-Recording Mixer: Stephen Holliger
1/3 of the THREE MARKS, TOO MANY SIGNALS trilogy.
Press Quotes:
"It's rare to mix rawness with beauty" - Marcus Pinn PINNLAND EMPIRE / ZEBRAS IN AMERICA
"It's always exciting whenever a distinct new voice makes itself heard on the indie landscape. Amir Motlagh is such a voice...."Honest and soulful" - Adam Schartoff FILMWAX RADIO
“There is without a doubt a definitive boldness to “Three Worlds”, both in its tone and aspirations, and it will certainly require viewers to lean in a little closer, which is never a bad thing…..a curious and
fascinating watch.” - David Fowlie KEEPING IT REEL
The experience of both films (MAN + Three Worlds) is one that any film connoisseur must have. To sit with an awareness of the film, and, an awareness of how you are watching it, is a surreal act that can only be described as “art.” Motlagh’s work is definitely a piece of art in the medium of film.” - Jonita Davis THE IRANIAN
THREE WORLDS pre-order is live!
Our second feature film for 2018 (Three Worlds) is now available for pre-order! Please show your support by committing early & locking into our lovingly easy pre-release rates.
Available on Vimeo On Demand (worldwide) starting Sept 7th, 2018. (i think we'll let it drop Thurs ;) )
Premieres on Amazon Prime Video in the latter half of Sept, with a full digital rollout in the following months.
The full OST (soundtrack) by Julian DW Brink premieres on all music platforms Sept 14th, 2018.
This release marks the conclusion of the "Three Marks, Too Many Signals" series of works.
PS: If you haven't yet watched MAN yet, now is a good time, after you pre-order this! 💚
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Synopsis
Three Worlds is a psychological science fiction drama that explores the three lives, or 'worlds,' of a man who undergoes an experiment that triggers haunting memories and alternate life 'memories.
Credits
Written & Directed by Amir Motlagh
Produced by ANIMALS, Amir Motlagh, Charles Borg
Director of Photography: Amir Motlagh
Starring:
Amir Motlagh
Samantha Robinson
Rey Deegan
Keaton Shyler
Gregory Linington
Editing: Bryan Tuck, Amir Motlagh
Original Score by Julian DW Brink
Sound Designer & Re-Recording Mixer: Stephen Holliger
Media Quotes
“It’s always exciting whenever a distinct new voice makes itself heard on the indie landscape. Amir Motlagh is such a voice.
honest and soulful.. ”
— Adam Schartoff FILMWAX RADIO
“It’s rare to mix rawness with beauty.”
— Pinnland Empire
““These unique experiences are made even more exceptional for their Iranian-American perspective.”
...the experience of both films (MAN + Three Worlds) is one that any film connoisseur must have. To sit with an awareness of the film, and, an awareness of how you are watching it, is a surreal act that can only be described as “art.” Motlagh’s work is definitely a piece of art in the medium of film.”
— Jonita Davis THE IRANIAN
“there is without a doubt a definitive boldness to “Three Worlds”, both in its tone and aspirations, and it will certainly require viewers to lean in a little closer, which is never a bad thing…..a curious and fascinating watch.”
— David Fowlie KEEPING IT REEL
Rest in Peace - Christopher Ad. Castillo
in Amir Motlagh, Cinema, life, News
Chris loved cinema. He passed doing what he loved, (though that which he loved was immensely stressful), a quiet consolation. I hadn’t talked to him in quite a while, making this a bitter sting. He came from cinema royalty, his father being Celso Ad Castillo, the “enfant terrible” of Philippine cinema. Chris grew up as an actor, famous in his native country before making his way West and deciding that writing/directing was his calling.
Of course, I’d been meaning to call him for months now, to bury minor hatchets, every day putting it off for the unknowable future. He was in great spirits the last time I saw him at our mutual friend Rey’s play in Pasadena. Chris was one of the first people to screen a film of mine in LA (Still Lover), at a series he was curating at the ArcLight. He was also an OG member of LADS (L.A Death Squad), & had many great stories of 80’s LA punk street life (pretty hardcore stories I’d add).
May he rest in peace, the same peace he found on the 2d screen & while working to fill the flicker in his heart. A combination of sweetness and unpredictable anger rolled up in a soft Filipino shell. Rest in Peace, Christopher Ad Castillo.
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Post Script:
While Chris was shooting a feature film (i had a minor acting role as MIRS), we teamed up to co-direct this MIRS music video (i just remembered the name MIRS was, in fact, his suggestion after bouncing the idea of a solo music project I was pursuing). We had collaborated a few times prior & after, but this was my favorite, mostly because of the spontaneity. We shot the performance in-between setups for his narrative feature project. That project never saw the light of day I believe, but nevertheless, it was an interesting time & actually fun in hindsight (time softens blows). Chris had caught the DIY bug from a sort of bubbling cabin fever from having multiple projects fall through the Hollywood development crack, and without letting anything get in his way, he steamrolled through the project, much to his cast/crews terror. But it was a grand learning lesson for him, and a jumpstart to being prolific after many years sitting on the sidelines.
"Three Worlds" wins "Silver Award" for Best Editing at QPIFF
Following up on our "Best Feature" nod, we won a "Silver Award" at the Queens Palm International Film Festival, placing 2nd in the "Best Editor" Feature Film technical category. This award is shared between editor Bryan Tuck and me, though Bryan was the real workhorse in the post-production on this project.
"Three Worlds" wins "Best Feature" at Queen Palm International Film Festival
"Three Worlds" wins a Gold Award for "Best Feature" in the Animation/Experimental category at the Queen Palm International Film Festival. Big congrats to the team. We also have a technical category win, a Silver Award for editing, so cheers to Bryan Tuck.
"Three Worlds" Nominated at QPIFF
THREE WORLDS gets a Film Festival Nomination for "Best Editing" in the Feature Film category at the Queen Palm International Film Festival. Best of luck to Bryan Tuck, who put the most sweat equity.
Three Worlds is an Official "Crown" Selection at QPIFF
in Amir Motlagh, ANIMALS, Cinema
"Three Worlds" is an Official Crown Selection at the Queen Palm International Film Festival.
"Three Worlds" Teaser Trailer Debuts
Three Worlds teaser trailer - Vimeo
Three Worlds teaser trailer - Youtube