Lumina (film)
Lumina | |
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Directed by | Gino J.H. McKoy |
Screenplay by | Gino J.H. McKoy |
Based on | Science fiction Thriller Horror |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography |
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Edited by | Thom Noble |
Music by | Gino J.H. McKoy Matthew Sargent |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Goldove |
Release date |
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Running time | 120 minutes |
Country | United States |
Languages |
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Lumina is an upcoming American science fiction horror film written and directed by Gino J.H. McKoy.[1][2][3] The film will be released on July 12, 2024.[4]
The film is produced by Gino J.H. McKoy, Lynda McKoy, David Seychell, and Hudson McKoy.[5] The production's editor is Thom Noble.[5]
Plot
[edit]Lumina narrates the story of Alex, whose girlfriend Tatiana disappears suddenly in a flash of a blinding light. Completely traumatized by the situation, Alex, along with his friends and a conspiracy theorist, embarks on a journey through a desert, during which they encounter unexpected challenges that compel them to fight for their lives and discover the truth that will change their lives.
Cast
[edit]- Eric Roberts as Thom[5]
- Ken Lawson as George[6]
- Emily Hall as Cher[7]
- Rupert Lazarus as Alex[5]
- Eleanor Williams as Tatiana[5]
- Andrea Tivada as Deliah[8]
- Sidney Nicole Rogers as Patricia
Production
[edit]Early development
[edit]The process of bringing the film Lumina to life involved significant challenges. After numerous agencies were unable to commit to a director, the film's screenwriter, Gino J.H. McKoy, decided to direct the film himself.[9] Together with his mother, Lynda, they secured a domestic wide release service distribution deal in 2019 with Entertainment Studio Motion Pictures/Freestyle Releasing, which would have covered 2000-2500 screens across the U.S. and Canada, along with output deals with Lionsgate, Netflix, and FilmNation.[9] However, after 18 months of negotiations, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic brought the film economy to a standstill, resulting in the closure of theaters and the cessation of film production. This made a wide release infeasible.[9] Despite these setbacks, the McKoys continued with pre-production and planned to revisit distribution after post-production.[9]
The financing for the film was secured through Lynda's longtime friend, David Seychell. During a planned trip to discuss the film's financing in July 2020, Seychell was critically injured in a private plane crash in the Colorado mountains.[9] After weeks of treatment in Colorado and Toronto, Seychell began to recover, and his paper contract for Lumina was found intact at the crash site.[9]
Preproduction in Morocco
[edit]In Ouarzazate, director McKoy enlisted British DP Larry Smith, who had formerly worked with Stanley Kubrick.[10] However, their journey to Marrakesh was interrupted by a call concerning threats against producer Lynda Mckoy from service producer "M," leading them to return to Ouarzazate.[10] Upon arrival at CLA Studio, they found "M" orchestrating a strike, alleging the producers' non-payment of bills, while Lynda's persistent requests for invoices had been ignored. Proofs of correspondence and partial payments were subsequently presented.[10] It was later revealed that "M's" assistant had been secretly storing the Moroccan crew's financial documents.[10]
On a single day, all cast and crew underwent COVID-19 testing due to producer Lynda McKoy's concerns about inadequate protocol adherence. Lynda and Hudson McKoy, the parents of the director, received falsely positive results. They then traveled to Marrakesh in a privately rented bus for retesting and self-isolated at the Opera Plaza Hotel.[10] Concurrently, Gino rode in the production bus, serving as a decoy, attracting the attention of the authorities searching for the McKoys.[10] Upon discovering McKoy's location, 'M' directed police to their hotel room.[10] The McKoys informed officials that the embassies of the UK, US, and Canada were aware of their situation and kept their predicament confidential from the crew at the Rotana Hotel.[10] Subsequently, the local authorities ordered the closure of the CLA studios for disinfection and quarantine.[10] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, this led to the halt of sci-fi set construction in Ouarzazate, and service producer 'M' demanded payroll for the Moroccan team during the studio shutdown.[10]
In Marrakesh's Rotana Hotel, pre-production occurred in a secure environment. However, five actors from the U.S. and U.K. ceased their involvement prematurely, despite ongoing contracts.[10] In an unprecedented event in Hollywood history, director Gino J.H. McKoy identified this as a planned act to undermine Lumina.[10] The actors retained their compensation, representing a unique case of potential project sabotage beyond just financial issues.[10]
In 2020, SAG-AFTRA instructed its members to avoid working on the film Lumina, which allegedly failed to comply with required COVID-19 safety standards as per the union's Global Rule One, making it one of the few movies to proceed without union support.[11][12][10]
Filming
[edit]Lumina was filmed in Marrakesh, Ouarzazate, Agafay, and the Atlas Mountains areas of Morocco.[13] The sci-fi sets were built at the CLA studios in Ouarzazate.[10] Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the production was able to navigate the obstacles and proceed with filming.[14]
References
[edit]- ^ Bukszpan, Daniel (May 19, 2019). "Game of Thrones fans are angry about the final season – and the franchise could suffer for it". CNBC.
- ^ McNary, Dave (June 14, 2018). "Film News Roundup: Paramount Taps Tyler Perry, Michael Bay to Produce Thriller 'I Am Yours'". Variety.
- ^ "Lumina Brazilian cinema under the spotlight after a four-year break from Cannes". Le Film Francais.
- ^ Armstrong, Vanessa (May 1, 2024). "Trailer for Sci-Fi Horror Film Lumina Brings Us a DUMB, Not-Nice Aliens, and Feelings of Dread".
- ^ a b c d e Flam, Charna (March 15, 2023). "Porter+Craig Film and Media to Release 'Lumina' Starring Eric Roberts This Summer". Variety.
- ^ Ngo, Sheiresa (July 8, 2021). "Gino McKoy Tells Us About His New Movie 'Lumina'".
- ^ Grobar, Matt (April 13, 2023). "Emily Hall, David Kelsey To Star In Duane Edwards' Indie Drama 'Wrong Numbers'". Deadline.
- ^ "JVV | ANDREA TIVADAR" (in European Spanish). Retrieved 2023-08-24.
- ^ a b c d e f "The fight to bring Lumina to light". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Maroc/Cinéma : L'histoire du tournage du film Lumina tourné à Ourzazate, est en lui même un épisode relevant de la fiction". Maghreb Observateur. June 23, 2023.
- ^ Robb, David (December 12, 2020). "SAG-AFTRA Puts Kibosh On 'Lumina' For Failing To Comply With Covid-19 Safety Protocols". Deadline.
- ^ "Over the Weekend 12/14/20: SAG-AFTRA Shuts Down Lumina and More News | Below the Line". December 14, 2020.
- ^ "Une exclusivité : «Lumina », premier film de science-fiction tourné au Maroc". La Quotidienne.
- ^ "Cinéma: Les productions étrangères reprennent à Marrakech". L'Économiste. February 28, 2021.