feature film To pack light opens at the Laemmle Theatre, North Hollywood on Friday, June 10.
Indie stalwart Xenon Pictures has announced that To pack lightthe latest film from British director Bernard Rose (Candyman, Beloved Immortal, Ivan’s XTC), will open Friday, June 10 at the Laemmle Theater right here in the NoHo Arts District.
Bernard Rose and part of the cast will attend the evening screening of To pack light on Saturday, June 11 and participate in a post-screening Q&A moderated by Xenon CEO and one of the film’s executive producers, S. Leigh Savidge
The Laemmle run follows the film’s soft launch as part of American Cinematheque’s Beyondfest late last fall.
Starring an ensemble cast including Danny Huston, Stephen Dorff, Tony Todd, Oliva D’Abo and Matthew Jacobs, the film examines a day in the life of a black Uber driver (Todd) who, while searching for her son, homeless at the onset of Covid-19, finds himself transporting a group of truth seekers to a Hollywood Hills house where a mysterious guru (Huston) holds court. In time, the isolation caused by the pandemic – or the perceived freedom from it – turns into madness. Meanwhile, news of the horrific murder of George Floyd resonates throughout the city as the social fabric crumbles and we realize we are witnessing the end of an era… Funny and scary at the same time, Traveling Light is a Bunuelian satire of middle-class life in Los Angeles. Angeles at a time of extreme crisis.
Tickets are available here: https://www.laemmle.com/film/traveling-light
Savidge of Xenon commented that:
“…the film examines the collision course between the thought processes of the haves and have-nots during one of the most trying times in Los Angeles’ long history. Bernard Rose captures Los Angeles in a way that many may know but few have seen.
American Cinematheque programmer Grant Moninger called the film “
“…Dark and hilarious. Bernard Rose has created one of the best films of the year.
The soundtrack features Bulgarian singer/songwriter Ivo Demchev, whose performances were acclaimed in the new yorker as “sliding effortlessly between masculine and feminine modes; his vocal register is just as protean, going from a low baritone to a soprano embellished with theremin vibratos.
The score was composed by Rose and cellist Jen Kuhn.
Xenon plans to roll out the film to select theaters across the country over the summer with a digital release slated for October.
To pack light The main cast
Tony Todd
Perhaps best known for his chilling performance as “Candyman,” charismatic actor Tony Todd has consistently delivered compelling performances since his fantasy film debut. Somnambulism (1986). Todd’s many credits illustrate his versatility. They include movie classics such as The rock (1996), The crow (1994), lean on me (1989), Bird (1988), night of the living dead (1990), Final destination (2000), the film by Oliver Stone, multiple Oscar winner Section (1986) and The secret (2000), which was nominated and screened at the Cannes Film Festival.
Danny Huston
Award-winning actor, screenwriter and director Danny Huston is known for his versatility and dramatic screen presence. Most recognized for roles in films like Martin Scorsese the aviatorby Alphonse Cuaron children of men and Alejandro Inarritu 21 grams, Huston worked with some of the finest film directors of his generation. He could recently be seen in the Netflix feature IO opposite Anthony Mackie, as well as the feature film Stan and Ollie, directed by Jon Baird for BBC Films. Additionally, Huston starred in and directed the feature film The last Picture (2017), which was released on September 6, 2019.
Stephen Dorf
Stephen Dorff was chosen from over 2,000 young men from around the world when he auditioned for and won the coveted role of “PK” in John G. Avildsen. The strength of one (1992) in 1992, with Morgan Freeman, John Gielgud and Fay Masterson. For his performance, he received the Male Star of Tomorrow Award from the National Association of Theater Owners. Dorff went on to amass an impressive list of screen credits, chief among which is New Line’s Blade (1998), in which he co-starred with Wesley Snipes and won “Best Villain” at the MTV Movie and Blockbuster Entertainment Awards. Dorff was recently chosen for the Chainsaw Massacre prequel Leatherface (2017) and the fantasy family film Albion: The Ascent of the Dannan (2016).
Olivia d’Abo
Olivia d’Abo is an English actress and singer from London. She made her debut as a teenager in 1984 and remained active through the following decades. Her most famous role was as the free-spirited Karen Arnold in the historical television series The good years (1988 -1993). From 2002 to 2008, d’Abo played criminal mastermind Nicole Wallace in police procedural Law & Order: criminal intent (2001-2011). From 2008 to 2009, d’Abo played Jedi Master Luminara Unduli in the anime series Star Wars: The Clone Wars (2008-2020). In 2019, d’Abo voiced Luminara Unduli again, in a cameo role in the live-action film Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. She continued to work regularly in film and television. D’Abo had lasting appeal.
About Xenon Images
Founded in 1986, Xenon Pictures, Inc. is one of the oldest continuously operating motion picture distribution companies in the United States. Long associated with ethnic content and niche marketing, Xenon acquires around 25 titles a year to add to an evergreen library, a few of which are positioned for theatrical release. Besides its decades-long association with Rudy Ray Moore (AKA Dolemite), the company is known for developing Straight Outta Compton which earned founder S. Leigh Savidge an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
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