Charles Officer, known as one of the leaders in Black Canadian independent film, has died. He was 49 and succumbed at his home in Toronto Friday from complications from a heart attack.
Officer had been battling what’s been described as a lengthy illness that was not specified. He had a lung transplant in December 2022.
Officer’s best-known film was the 2009 indie Nurse.Fighter.Boy, an urban love story. He also directed four episodes of The Porter, a CBC/BET+ drama about railway workers from both sides of the Canadian-u.S. border.
He was a cofounder of the Black Screen Office in Canada, and launched and ran Canesugar Filmworks with longtime business partner Jake Yanowski.
Officer’s latest film was Akilla’s Escape, a crime noir. His other fims included the documentary Mighty Jerome and Unarmed Verses.
The Toronto Black Film Festival on X, formerly Twitter, saluted his career: “We’re...
Officer had been battling what’s been described as a lengthy illness that was not specified. He had a lung transplant in December 2022.
Officer’s best-known film was the 2009 indie Nurse.Fighter.Boy, an urban love story. He also directed four episodes of The Porter, a CBC/BET+ drama about railway workers from both sides of the Canadian-u.S. border.
He was a cofounder of the Black Screen Office in Canada, and launched and ran Canesugar Filmworks with longtime business partner Jake Yanowski.
Officer’s latest film was Akilla’s Escape, a crime noir. His other fims included the documentary Mighty Jerome and Unarmed Verses.
The Toronto Black Film Festival on X, formerly Twitter, saluted his career: “We’re...
- 12/3/2023
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Charles Officer, a pioneering Black Canadian film and TV director, has died. He was 49.
Officer died Friday at his home in Toronto of complications from a long illness following a lung transplant that he underwent in December 2022.
Officer’s latest film was Akilla’s Escape, a crime noir about an urban child soldier, Akilla Brown, who captures a 15-year-old Jamaican boy in the aftermath of an armed robbery. Over one night, Akilla confronts a cycle of generational violence he thought he escaped.
His breakout movie was the 2009 indie Nurse.Fighter.Boy, an urban love story that follows a widowed single mother coping with sickle cell disease who works as a night-shift nurse to support her son Ciel. When she meets Silence, a troubled and brooding boxer, their lives are changed forever.
He also directed four episodes of The Porter, the CBC/BET+ drama about railway workers from both sides of the Canadian-u.
Officer died Friday at his home in Toronto of complications from a long illness following a lung transplant that he underwent in December 2022.
Officer’s latest film was Akilla’s Escape, a crime noir about an urban child soldier, Akilla Brown, who captures a 15-year-old Jamaican boy in the aftermath of an armed robbery. Over one night, Akilla confronts a cycle of generational violence he thought he escaped.
His breakout movie was the 2009 indie Nurse.Fighter.Boy, an urban love story that follows a widowed single mother coping with sickle cell disease who works as a night-shift nurse to support her son Ciel. When she meets Silence, a troubled and brooding boxer, their lives are changed forever.
He also directed four episodes of The Porter, the CBC/BET+ drama about railway workers from both sides of the Canadian-u.
- 12/3/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Aircraft Pictures is teaming up with Dolphin Entertainment to produce a new feature adaptation of the 1986 sports drama, Youngblood, with rising filmmaker Charles Officer (Akilla’s Escape) on board to direct. The film is slated to begin principal photography in early 2023.
Youngblood follows hockey prodigy Dean Youngblood, who joins the Hamilton Bulldogs and discovers he must face off against toxic behavior on the ice and within himself, to fulfill his dream of being drafted into the National Hockey League. The original film, distributed by MGM, starred Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves in his feature debut, and has since become a cult classic among hockey fans.
Josh Epstein & Kyle Rideout, Seneca Aaron and Officer penned the script for the new film, which will be distributed in Canada by Photon Films — being made with the financial participation of Telefilm Canada and the Talent Fund, as well as Ontario Creates and the Shaw Rocket Fund.
Youngblood follows hockey prodigy Dean Youngblood, who joins the Hamilton Bulldogs and discovers he must face off against toxic behavior on the ice and within himself, to fulfill his dream of being drafted into the National Hockey League. The original film, distributed by MGM, starred Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves in his feature debut, and has since become a cult classic among hockey fans.
Josh Epstein & Kyle Rideout, Seneca Aaron and Officer penned the script for the new film, which will be distributed in Canada by Photon Films — being made with the financial participation of Telefilm Canada and the Talent Fund, as well as Ontario Creates and the Shaw Rocket Fund.
- 9/7/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A new feature film based on the 1986 sports drama “Youngblood,” this time centering on an African American hockey prodigy, is in the works from Aircraft Pictures and Dolphin Entertainment. Rising filmmaker Charles Officer is on board to direct the film, which is slated to begin principal photography in early 2023.
The reimagined update follows hockey prodigy Dean Youngblood, who joins the Hamilton Bulldogs and faces toxic behavior throughout his journey to the National Hockey League draft. The original 1986 film, distributed by MGM, was Keanu Reeves’ feature film debut. It also starred Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze, and it has since become a cult classic among hockey fans.
“The opportunity to re-imagine the beloved classic hockey drama ‘Youngblood’ is a gift, and I am excited to bring a fresh story that centers on an African American hockey prodigy to the screen,” Officer said.
Officer previously directed the crime-noir feature film “Akilla’s Escape,...
The reimagined update follows hockey prodigy Dean Youngblood, who joins the Hamilton Bulldogs and faces toxic behavior throughout his journey to the National Hockey League draft. The original 1986 film, distributed by MGM, was Keanu Reeves’ feature film debut. It also starred Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze, and it has since become a cult classic among hockey fans.
“The opportunity to re-imagine the beloved classic hockey drama ‘Youngblood’ is a gift, and I am excited to bring a fresh story that centers on an African American hockey prodigy to the screen,” Officer said.
Officer previously directed the crime-noir feature film “Akilla’s Escape,...
- 9/7/2022
- by Carson Burton
- Variety Film + TV
Winners to be announced at live virtual ceremony on February 10.
The producers of French Exit, No Ordinary Man and Nadia, Butterfly are among nominees for the 15th annual Indiescreen Awards announced by the Canadian Media Producers Association (Cmpa).
The winners of both the Established Producer and Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer categories will be announced at a live virtual ceremony presented in partnership with Telefilm Canada as part of Cmpa’s Prime Time Online conference on February 10.
Cmpa president and CEO Reynolds Mastin said despite the impact of the pandemic on the independent Canadian film sector, “this diverse group of incredible...
The producers of French Exit, No Ordinary Man and Nadia, Butterfly are among nominees for the 15th annual Indiescreen Awards announced by the Canadian Media Producers Association (Cmpa).
The winners of both the Established Producer and Kevin Tierney Emerging Producer categories will be announced at a live virtual ceremony presented in partnership with Telefilm Canada as part of Cmpa’s Prime Time Online conference on February 10.
Cmpa president and CEO Reynolds Mastin said despite the impact of the pandemic on the independent Canadian film sector, “this diverse group of incredible...
- 1/12/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
TIFF Drama Gets Canada Deal
Exclusive: Following its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, levelFILM has acquired Canadian rights to crime noir Akilla’s Escape by director Charles Officer, who co-wrote the script with Wendy ‘Motion’ Braithwaite. Produced by Jake Yanowski & Officer of Canesugar Filmworks, pic stars slam poet Saul Williams and newcomer Thamela Mpumlwana who anchors the story about an ‘urban child-soldier’. The film is slated for a mid-2021 theatrical release. Executive producers are Martin F. Katz, Karen Wookey, and Michael A. Levine. XYZ handles international sales. Vertical has domestic rights.
Raw Hires BBC Studios Exec As COO Gold Rush and Don’t F**k With Cats producer Raw has hired Fiona Clarke, BBC Studios’ director of business and commercial for factual, to the newly-created role of chief operating officer. She will report to CEO Joely Fether and take up her role in the New Year.
Exclusive: Following its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, levelFILM has acquired Canadian rights to crime noir Akilla’s Escape by director Charles Officer, who co-wrote the script with Wendy ‘Motion’ Braithwaite. Produced by Jake Yanowski & Officer of Canesugar Filmworks, pic stars slam poet Saul Williams and newcomer Thamela Mpumlwana who anchors the story about an ‘urban child-soldier’. The film is slated for a mid-2021 theatrical release. Executive producers are Martin F. Katz, Karen Wookey, and Michael A. Levine. XYZ handles international sales. Vertical has domestic rights.
Raw Hires BBC Studios Exec As COO Gold Rush and Don’t F**k With Cats producer Raw has hired Fiona Clarke, BBC Studios’ director of business and commercial for factual, to the newly-created role of chief operating officer. She will report to CEO Joely Fether and take up her role in the New Year.
- 12/15/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman and Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has snatched up the U.S. distribution rights to Akilla’s Escape, Charles Officer’s crime drama which had its world premiere at this year’s Toronto Film Festival and now has a planned release for Q2 of next year.
Saul Williams (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) stars as Akilla Brown, an urban child-soldier who captures a fifteen-year-old Jamaican boy in the aftermath of an armed robbery. Over one grueling night, Akilla confronts a cycle of generational violence he thought he had escaped.
Thamela Mpumlwana (Star Trek: Discovery), Donisha Rita Claire Prendergast (Marathon + Black Bodies), and Vic Mensa (The Birth of a Nation) co-star.
Officer, who co-wrote the screenplay with Wendy “Motion” Brathwaite, also produced the pic with Jake Yanowski. Executive producers are Martin F. Katz, Karen Wookey, and Michael A. Levine.
“Charles Officer’s daring vision and the thoroughly affecting performances from the entire cast make Akilla’s Escape a boldly entertaining film.
Saul Williams (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) stars as Akilla Brown, an urban child-soldier who captures a fifteen-year-old Jamaican boy in the aftermath of an armed robbery. Over one grueling night, Akilla confronts a cycle of generational violence he thought he had escaped.
Thamela Mpumlwana (Star Trek: Discovery), Donisha Rita Claire Prendergast (Marathon + Black Bodies), and Vic Mensa (The Birth of a Nation) co-star.
Officer, who co-wrote the screenplay with Wendy “Motion” Brathwaite, also produced the pic with Jake Yanowski. Executive producers are Martin F. Katz, Karen Wookey, and Michael A. Levine.
“Charles Officer’s daring vision and the thoroughly affecting performances from the entire cast make Akilla’s Escape a boldly entertaining film.
- 11/19/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
From TorontoFilm.Net here is the Toronto Film Production Update for June 2019 including "Titans", "Grand Army", "The Boys" and a whole lot more:
Akilla's Escape
Feature
Canesugar Filmworks
Prod.: Jake Yanowski, Charles Officer
Dir.: Charles Officer
May 14 - Jun 6/19
AMÉLIE Et Compagnie! Saison 4
TV Series
Carte Blanche Films Inc.
Prod.: Tracy Legault
Dir.: Dominque Cardona,
Jul 3 - Sep 20/19
Anne With An E Season 3
TV Series
Northwood Anne Trois Inc.
Exec. Prod.: Moira Walley-Beckett, Miranda de Pencier, Tina Grewal
Dir.: Various
Mar 11 – Aug 22/19
Carter Season 2
TV Series
Sony / Amaze Films
Prod.: Victoria Hirst
Dir.: various
Apr 15 – Jul 17/19
Condor Season 2
TV Series
T5 Condor 2 Productions Inc.
Prod.: Andrea Raffaghello
Dir.: Andrew McCarthy
Apr 29 - Aug 28/19
Dare Me Season 1
TV Series
Gep / USA Network
Prod.: Dan Kaplow
Dir.: Various
Apr 22 - Aug 6/19
Dog Pack
TV Movie
Disney/ABC Television Group
Prod.
Akilla's Escape
Feature
Canesugar Filmworks
Prod.: Jake Yanowski, Charles Officer
Dir.: Charles Officer
May 14 - Jun 6/19
AMÉLIE Et Compagnie! Saison 4
TV Series
Carte Blanche Films Inc.
Prod.: Tracy Legault
Dir.: Dominque Cardona,
Jul 3 - Sep 20/19
Anne With An E Season 3
TV Series
Northwood Anne Trois Inc.
Exec. Prod.: Moira Walley-Beckett, Miranda de Pencier, Tina Grewal
Dir.: Various
Mar 11 – Aug 22/19
Carter Season 2
TV Series
Sony / Amaze Films
Prod.: Victoria Hirst
Dir.: various
Apr 15 – Jul 17/19
Condor Season 2
TV Series
T5 Condor 2 Productions Inc.
Prod.: Andrea Raffaghello
Dir.: Andrew McCarthy
Apr 29 - Aug 28/19
Dare Me Season 1
TV Series
Gep / USA Network
Prod.: Dan Kaplow
Dir.: Various
Apr 22 - Aug 6/19
Dog Pack
TV Movie
Disney/ABC Television Group
Prod.
- 5/28/2019
- by Unknown
- SneakPeek
The fall festival rush is upon us. Locarno is currently ramping up. Venice has released their line-up and Thom Powers and the Toronto International Film Festival team have dropped a bomb with a previously unannounced new feature from powerhouse docu-provocateur Michael Moore. It is truly a miracle that the production of a film such as Moore’s upcoming Where To Invade Next (see still above) managed to go completely undetected by the filmmaking community until it was literally announced to world premiere at one of the largest film festivals in the world. Programmed as a one of the key films in the Special Presentations section at Tiff, the film sees Moore telling “the Pentagon to ‘stand down’ — he will do the invading for America from now on.” Also announced to premiere at Tiff was Avi Lewis’ This Changes Everything, which has slowly been rising up this list, as well as...
- 8/7/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
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