Lance Morcan's Blog, page 15

U.S. film composer Ashsha Kin makes his mark in movie helmed by New Zealand writer-director

Cinema audiences are resonating with the musical score provided by American film composer Ashsha Kin in Anno 2020, the new-release, award-winning movie written and directed by Tauranga-born James Morcan.

Anno 2020 composer Ashsha Kin.

The Temecula, California-based family man is best known for his work on 1521: The Quest for Love and Freedom for which he completed the audio mix, and the soon-to-be-released Flight 704 for writing the score and providing all audio post-production.  

Kin said he jumped at the chance to do the score for the contentious, Australian-produced, mystery-drama Anno 2020 when its New Zealand writer-director James Morcan approached him.

“I think working with James is the main reason I wanted to be a part of this production,” said Kin.

“James sent me a cut of Anno 2020, accompanied by an audio recording, giving me insight into his style and how he approached filming remotely on Anno 2020. I had such a good feeling about James that I decided to take the opportunity and do the film.  And I am so glad that I did.”

Sydney-based Morcan, who adapted the Anno 2020 screenplay from his published novel of the same name, said he had always envisaged it being a music-driven film. He described Kin as a breath of fresh air in the film industry.

“I found directing this, my first feature, quite stressful at times, but I quickly discovered Ashsha was a calming influence,” he said. “Always humble, he was a positive, mature force that helped the team get to the promised land of film completion.”

Morcan said Kin made an incredible contribution as composer.

“Ashsha achieved the interconnectedness I was seeking all along within the story but didn’t find – until he stepped in and showed me the possibilities through his unique world of sound.”

Kin said looking back on Anno 2020 – the movie and the year – it was all a kind of a whirlwind.

“When I joined the film’s production team, I had about six weeks to write the whole score. I was faced with writing about 40 cues, which was somewhat daunting.

“However, once I got into it and realized that James and I were on the same page, I was able to get into a groove and find a good rhythm.  For me, knowing that the director trusted me with his film went a long way toward easing any worries I had.”

The composer said it was an added bonus that the producers approached him to mix the film.   

“That gave me the opportunity to present the music in a way that reflected how I heard the film.  It also bought me a bit of extra time, allowing me to revisit the music mixes and refine things while working on the mix itself.

“The whole experience was a pleasure from start to finish. James and lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe gave me a great degree of support and trust, and just let me do what I do without trying to control how the work was getting done. They were very receptive to my interpretation of the music for the film.”

Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, Sydney, said Kin made an outstanding contribution to the Anno 2020 production, and attaching him was the best decision he and his fellow producers made.   

“Music composition and sound design are both integral facets of the filmmaking process, and Ashsha’s music set the mood and tone for every scene, enhancing the viewer’s experience immeasurably,” said Ben-Moshe.

“A creative genius, he really took the time to understand what the movie, plots and characters were about. His work ethic, professionalism, talent, and attention to detail were tangible in every single piece of music that he composed. Not to mention his ability to convert the director’s vision to screen musically.”

Kin was impressed by Anno 2020’s cast, which includes veteran American actors Kevin Scott Allen (Star Trek, Alias, Prison Break), Sheila Ball (A Prince and Pauper Christmas, Assault On VA-33) and Chinese-American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers) as well as leading Australian actors Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D) and Greg Poppleton (Last Days of the Space Age, Backtrack and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader).

The Californian was also impressed that Anno 2020 garnered awards at various film festivals in 2023/24. These include winning the Titan International Film Festival’s ‘Best Experimental Film’ award in Sydney recently, Quarter-Finalist status in the Best Film category at the International British Film Festival 2023 in London, and an official selection for the Symbiotic Film Festival in Ukraine.

As for Anno 2020 the year as opposed to the film, Kin described it as surreal.

“Professionally I was able to keep working but psychologically having to go through COVID, with all the regulations, vaccines, and lockdowns added to the fear that was kind of everywhere, it really impacted on me and my loved-ones.

“My wife Tina, who is asthmatic, contracted COVID and she took ages to recover. We were constantly worried one of our adopted twin boys Oliver and Charlie, both autistic and only eight, would be struck down. It was a scary time, for everyone, everywhere, and not just for us.” 

Kin said he spent much of 2020 working on music.

“I think music is the most important thing to me in life. Nothing, besides my family, has given me more purpose or ignited more drive in me than writing and producing music. I tend to find solace when writing. At the time, it was my way of washing off all the world.  I approached it sort of like a healing, or at least a recognition that healing was needed.

Ashsha Kin’s studio…where the magic is created.

“I released the tracks that I wrote during that time as an album titled Sacred.  It was inspired by a poem I wrote years ago and is a mixture of electronic beats over ritual ambiences, rooted in native American shamanic folklore.”

Kin’s poem, titled The girl with red streaks in her hair, reads as follows:

I first heard of her from the Indian at the circle of stone.

Her image appeared to me in the mist of the sacred drum,

Conceived from rhythm and light.

Her voice scattered into a million reflections as she whispered in my ear.

“Listen,” she said and then she disappeared.

Carried on the breath of that one word I soared above myself,

Searching the endless sky for another glimpse of her.

Three days turned night before I returned to the circle,

Her gentle voice still echoing in my ears.

“Will I ever see her again?” I asked my Indian friend.

“She is with you now,” he said. And then he smiled, turned, and disappeared. – Ashsha Kin ©

Kin, who has been working in the music and entertainment industry since 1993, said he was drawn to music as a kid.

“I would sit in my room for hours and hours listening to vinyl records, top to back, over, and over.  I started playing piano when I was seven years old, and in middle school I started playing the alto saxophone and continued playing in both symphonic and jazz bands through high school.

“I left college with a BA in Business Management and a BA in Music Recording and Technology, making my living mainly working on game music and sound design as well as writing songs for kid’s toys on various platforms.

“About five years ago, I began putting myself out there, contacting film directors and producers to see if I could find some more challenging projects. Since then, I’ve worked on about 35 projects, including eight feature films, as a composer and audio mixer.”

As for whether he would consider working with Gil Ben-Moshe, James Morcan and the team of Anno 2020 again, Kin was unequivocal.

“Absolutely! Just let me know when we can get started on the next one!”   

Anno 2020 celebrated its world premiere at a sold-out, red-carpet cinema screening in Sydney last month, and it enjoyed an equally successful Victorian premiere in Melbourne earlier this month. The film’s Queensland premiere, another red-carpet event which is shaping up to be yet another sellout, will be held in Brisbane on June 4.

Beyond these interstate cinema screenings, the filmmakers envisage online distribution on major streaming platforms for Anno 2020.

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Ashsha Kin’s website provides interesting insights into his life and his love of music…   [image error] www.ashshakin.com

The Anno 2020 trailer can be viewed at:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-gUZc6UH8M    

Anno 2020 IMDb page: [image error]www.imdb.com/title/tt13455748/

Ashsha’s IMDb page: [image error]

Anno 2020 film industry site link: www.imdb.com/title/tt13455748/

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Anno 2020’s Aussie producer celebrates sold-out screenings of this Kiwi-helmed movie

Gil Ben-Moshe, the Sydney-based lead producer of the new-release movie Anno 2020, is riding high after successful red-carpet cinema screenings of this, the first feature film produced by his production company and the first directed by Kiwi writer-director James Morcan.  

The contentious movie, a mystery-drama which provides viewers with a memorable albeit fictional snapshot of the cataclysmic year that was 2020, celebrated its Victorian premiere last week at a sold-out Lido Cinema in Melbourne. That screening was attended by mainly film industry representatives, and it followed the movie’s equally successful world premiere in Sydney last month.

Anno 2020 producer Gil Ben-Moshe.

For Ben-Moshe, the success of the Melbourne red-carpet event and the industry feedback that followed it was further validation that Anno 2020 is a film audiences resonate with.

“The feedback includes dozens of emails from producers and other industry guests, and the common theme is the movie made them think and feel,” he said. “Other filmmakers expressed interest in collaborating with us on future projects, and numerous radio stations, film critics, reviewers and podcasters offered to review our movie.”

The Jewish producer, who is also an actor and who plays the gut-wrenching role of a Sydneysider who must contend with anti-Semitism as well as the COVID lockdowns in Anno 2020, said the success of the screenings to date bode well for the Queensland premiere booked for Brisbane’s Five Star Cinema, in New Farm, on June 4.

“We chose to do an old-fashioned release by staging our cinema screenings first before the movie is placed on various global streaming platforms. Our thinking was this would attract more exposure before streaming, and so far, that’s the case.

“Distribution on multiple streaming platforms was always the endgame for Anno 2020. I honestly believe it was meant for online audiences as they would enjoy the stylistic approach to filmmaking we’ve taken.”

Anno 2020 has already received excellent reviews from accredited film critics, and it currently enjoys a very respectable 9.2 out of 10 stars rating on the respected film industry site IMDb.com.

Ben-Moshe’s twin brother Oren is the other half of MoneyShot Productions. Together, they have a shared love of film that dates back to acting on stage as youngsters during school assemblies.

Producers Gil (left) and Oren Ben-Moshe on the red carpet with their Associate Producer Angela Faria.

“We’d deliver announcements in a comical way in order to maintain students’ attention,” Oren Ben-Moshe said. “Which probably explains our penchant for comedy and comedic acting.”

Gil Ben-Moshe recalled it was after he returned from his gap year, spent in Israel, that he decided to seek acting representation.

“Initially, I spent two years working on filmsets as an extra, just watching other actors and directors collaborate on various television shows, commercials, and movies. Eventually, I landed major roles in TV ads for the likes of Pepsi, Mastercard and Toyota Rav 4 as well as TV shows like Home and Away, Breakers, Heartbreak High and Police Rescue.

“Movie roles included A Difficult Woman and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, and I was cast in more than 40 short films where I really worked on my craft.

“The more experience I gained working on filmsets, the more determined I became to begin my own production company. I decided to join forces with Oren, and we set out to surround ourselves with a crew of talented, dedicated and committed people.

“We’ve had MoneyShot Productions for almost five years now but ran ActionTwins Productions for eight years before changing the name.

“Our primary goal remains unchanged. It is to consistently produce feature films we are proud of. Films that give audiences a genuinely amazing movie experience.”

The twins have certainly experienced the highs and lows of the industry.

In 2003, they flew to the U.S. with the script for a sitcom they’d co-written called Twin Cheeks. After shooting a pilot, they pitched it to major Los Angeles production companies, informing them that they, the Ben-Moshes, would star in it. Around the same time, they finished top seven in a major acting competition in Orlando, Florida, coming to the attention of NBC.

“They (NBC) wanted to meet with us in L.A. to discuss possibilities,” brother Gil said.

“The upshot was they watched our pilot and decided we should have our own TV show. Before they had time to develop it, our U.S. visas expired, forcing us to head to Canada, and then tragedy struck when our father passed away back in Sydney.

“We left for Australia that evening, informing NBC of our departure and effectively ending the prospect of our own sitcom. A missed opportunity perhaps, but we had to farewell our beautiful father in person.”

Ben-Moshe said there were many reasons he and Oren were drawn to producing Anno 2020 – the main one being the challenge it presented as well as the opportunity.

“This is the fourth feature film that Oren and I have participated in together with Anno 2020’s writer-director James Morcan, so we were both very aware of his talent as a filmmaker, especially with storytelling and directing. Even though this film marks James’s directorial debut, he assisted the director on a couple of those earlier movies – namely My Cornerstone and After Armageddon.

“We were mindful of the challenges that would come our way having to shoot a global movie remotely, keeping in mind most of the shoot was conducted during the strict lockdowns and travel restrictions of 2021. How we did it on a microbudget of US$6,000 I’m still not sure!

“Face-to-face auditioning of actors, which is common practice for casting any movie, wasn’t possible due to the enforced isolation of individuals during that stressful period. We had to rely on Zoom calls when auditioning and in the end go with our gut feelings on who to cast.

“As far as filming was concerned, the restrictions imposed prevented us from physically being on set. Except for some of the Australian scenes. Even then, we had to film clandestinely at times.

“We coped overall by being creative and thinking outside of the box. Attaching an iphone onto the top of a camera while filming a Zoom call between separated parties or individuals, for example, was one way we got around not being on set.

“Essentially, that was how James directed our truly international cast with actors spread over four continents. It was via Zoom. Although not conventional or orthodox, it was perfect for what we were trying to achieve.”

Ben-Moshe admitted there were many times he and his cast and crew missed the human touch.

“Physical presence of crew and fellow actors was usually non-existent. It felt bizarre and lonely at times, but it may have been for the better. Film sets are often noisy, busy, and chaotic, so the silence actors felt during takes enabled them to focus solely on their performances.

“I know I experienced my own dysphoria as shooting scenes alone initially felt weird, but I adapted to it and embraced the experience. My fellow actors expressed similar sentiments.

“Shooting on Zoom was the most intimate acting I’d ever done once I overcame that feeling of isolation. There is something unique about it. An indescribable connection, which is hard to explain.”

Despite the challenges he and his fellow actors experienced, he said the acting topped his list of the things he was proudest of.

“Every single cast member worked so hard on developing their character and their role in the movie. I truly believe there are so many performances worthy of an award.

“Kudos for this should go to James (Morcan) who was tasked with directing an international cast remotely on his directorial debut. I can only imagine how difficult that was. His directing produced absolute magic in the actors’ performances.

“James kept emphasizing throughout the shoot that ‘every role needs to be treated as a main role.’ If you ask me, the end result reveals that mantra was quite prophetic. And James would agree with me I’m sure that our cinematographer/editor Simon Carter pulled off some miracles as this wasn’t an easy film to edit.”

Ben-Moshe said next month’s Queensland premiere of Anno 2020, in Brisbane, would be another red-carpet event, and another sell-out looked likely.

“Queensland’s own Erin Connor, who plays a truly memorable role opposite acclaimed Sydney actor Greg Poppleton, will be among the actors and filmmakers present. Guests will be treated to red-carpet photos with the actors and producers, and a screening of the film followed by a Q and A session with cast members and crew.”

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YouTube link to highlights of Anno 2020’s Victorian premiere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJF0-p2bqDA

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The Anno 2020 trailer can be viewed at:  https://www.youtube.com/@ANNO2020TheMovie

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Billy Yfantis and his groundbreaking synthwave initiative Neon Planet launch spellbinding album Lonely City

Visionary music producer and experimental artist Billy Yfantis, who featured in this blog on March 17 –  https://morcanbooksandfilms.com/2024/03/17/attention-lovers-of-fine-music-greek-virtuoso-vasileios-yfantis-unveils-his-latest-album-cinematic-works-vol-iii/  –  today announced the release of Lonely City, the highly anticipated second album in his groundbreaking synthwave initiative labelled Neon Planet.

Neon Planet is the brainchild of Athens-based Yfantis, bringing what can only be described as a unique perspective to the synthwave genre.

And for those unfamiliar with synthwave (also called outrun, retrowave, or futuresynth) it’s an electronic music microgenre based predominantly on the music associated with action, science-fiction, and horror film soundtracks of the 1980s.

Billy Yfantis…truly a visionary.

Yfantis says Neon Planet’s latest offering delves deep into the theme of loneliness within a futuristic cityscape.

“Lonely City marks the latest chapter in Neon Planet’s journey of sonic exploration, promising an unforgettable listening experience for fans around the globe,” he says. “It builds upon the success of the debut album Cyber City Lights, creating a sound that transports listeners to a neon-lit metropolis of solitude and introspection.”

Listening to the Lonely City album leaves no doubt that Neon Planet continues to push the boundaries of electronic music. Through pulsating beats, ethereal melodies, and evocative soundscapes, it captures the essence of urban isolation, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a world where the neon glow of towering skyscrapers is the only companion.

The album’s tracklist is as follows:

Cityscape Lullaby / Echoes of an Empty Skyline / Ethereal Urban Echoes / Isolation Dreamscape / Lost in the Neon Haze / Midnight Shadows / Neon Nights in the Lonely City / Neon Trailer Music / Neonscape / Synthetic Solace

“Lonely City is now available on all major streaming platforms, making it easy for fans of synthwave, ambient, and cinematic music to embark on a sonic odyssey unlike any other,” says Yfantis. “For those seeking an escape from the mundane and a glimpse into the future of electronic music, Neon Dreams in the Lonely City is an essential addition to any playlist.”

To listen to the Loney City album go to:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7kO0Ch5D6vV0CbHiHiloQk?si=3GZQLqk5S_69_uyJBPp_OA

YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mev2oZuHe0DseEKvl7SxEr_VAR_Ttq2Xw

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/gb/album/lonely-city/1721250477

Links to background information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billy.yfantis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billyyfantis/

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Introducing MATT’S MOVIE REVIEWS – a superior movie review website with a devoted social media following and strong global audience

Link

Writer-director James Morcan recently had the pleasure of being the subject of a podcast review conducted by Sydney film critic and entertainment journalist Matthew (Matt) Pejkovic, creator of the popular Matt’s Movie Reviews. The topic: James’ experience writing, directing, and acting in the new-release feature film Anno 2020.

James, who was super-impressed by Matt’s professionalism and knowledge of film, is keen to spread the word about what he describes as a superior movie review/podcast site. Hence this blog post which we hope movie-goers everywhere will resonate with.

Matthew (Matt) Pejkovic…creator of Matt’s Movie Reviews.

Matt has covered the film industry for over 17 years, reviewing the latest film releases, interviewing filmmakers and actors from around the globe, and reporting on the latest news and events in entertainment. And he just happens to have a Bachelors’ Degree in Media Studies as well as a Diploma in Arts Management from the Australian Institute of Music.

Matt’s work as a writer and editor has been featured on popular entertainment websites JoBlo, Collider, and We Got This Covered, as well as print publications FilmInk, The Big Issue, and The Brag. His movie review site, best described as a film-centric entertainment website, also features the Matt’s Movie Reviews Podcast and YouTube channel.

As well as reviewing current theatrical and VOD releases, there’s an emphasis on reviewing a wide range of films from silver screen classics to B-grade cult favourites, and everything in between!

We (James and I) highly recommend Matt’s Movie Reviews to movie fans wherever you are. Membership is free.

There is also the option of becoming an Official Matt’s Movie Reviews Patron for a mere AU$5 a month…

Benefits official patrons receive include:

-One only Fan Request for a review of any feature movie of your choosing (excluding pornography).

-Make a one-off request for Matt to create a Top 10 List on any movie topic of your choosing.

-Exclusive Voting Power Vote in Patreon exclusive polls to determine the creative direction of Matt’s Movie Reviews.

-Take part in exclusive Live Q&A’s and discuss a variety of movie topics.

-New Patrons get a shout-out on the Matt’s Movie Reviews social media platform and the Matt’s Movie Reviews Podcast.

Interested in becoming an Official Matt’s Movie Reviews Patron?

Go to: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=33903624

Other relevant Matts Movie Reviews links:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MattsMovieReviews

FB: https://www.facebook.com/mattsmovierev/

X: https://twitter.com/MattsMovieRev

Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/c-1643285

LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/matt%27s-movie-reviews.net/

>>> And last but not least here’s the link to Matt’s Movie Reviews podcast interview with Anno 2020 writer-director James Morcan:

https://mattsmoviereviews.net/podcast-602-Anno-2020-director-James-Morcan.html

Enjoy!

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Kiwi authors’ soon-to-be-released novel captures the zeitgeist of a troubled era

The New Zealand father-and-son writing team Lance and James Morcan, authors of some 35 published fiction and non-fiction books, today announced the likely release date for their next co-authored novel Anno 2021. 

Interim cover image for Anno 2021.

An international action-thriller, its planned pre-Christmas (early December) release follows James Morcan’s successful adaptation of his first solo-authored novel, Anno 2020, to a feature film screenplay and subsequent new-release movie. 

The younger Morcan, who is also an actor and director, acted in and directed the Australian-produced movie, which celebrated its world premiere at a red-carpet screening in Sydney last month.  

“Anno 2020 is a mystery-drama whereas this novel (Anno 2021) is more of an action-thriller,” said Sydney-based James.

“Their common theme is that both cover the dramas experienced by individuals around the world caught up in the COVID lockdowns of those two unforgettable years, and they capture the zeitgeist of this troubled era as society gets ever more fractured.

“They are both controversial as we, the writers, don’t shy away from covering the contentious issues that divided nations during those years.

“Like the earlier novel, which was set in 17 different destinations on four continents, Anno 2021 will be truly global with a vignette of storylines and characters based in America, England, South Africa, Tahiti and New Zealand.”

Papamoa-based novelist-screenwriter Lance Morcan, who is also Story Consultant and Associate Producer on Anno 2020 the movie, said he and son James were already thinking about the screenplay adaptation of Anno 2021 while they undertook final editing of the novel.

“We are no strangers to this process,” said Lance. “We’ve adapted several of our co-authored novels to feature film screenplays and these are in early development with known and mainly American actors attached in some cases.”

As novelists, the Morcans are best known for their bestselling thrillers The Ninth Orphan and Silent Fear, and for their historical adventure novels White Spirit, Into the Americas and Fiji; their non-fiction books include Genius Intelligence, The Catcher in the Rye Enigma and Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, which have all been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists.

Their books all appear under the banner of New Zealand publisher Sterling Gate Books and are currently exclusive to Amazon.

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Link to Morcan film projects:

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Screaming and all alone in New York City’s Grand Central Station an abiding memory for star of Anno 2020 movie

New York actress Sheila Ball has one abiding memory of the starring role she plays in Anno 2020, the new-release movie helmed by New Zealand-born writer-director James Morcan. That memory is standing inside Grand Central Station and screaming at the top of her lungs. 

The veteran actress, best known for her screen roles in A Prince and Pauper Christmas (2022), Assault On VA-33 (2023) and By Deception (2023), says fortunately for her, she had the place to herself at the time.

“The normally overcrowded rail terminal was, because of the Covid-19 lockdowns, empty with no trains running,” Ball recalls. “It was surreal. If I acted like that at any other time, I would be arrested. That will go down as one of the best experiences of my life.”

Sheila Ball…a standout performer.

In Anno 2020, which was shot globally during the strict lockdowns of that same year, Ball plays the unforgettable role of Heather, a mother who is separated from her screen daughter Emma, played by up-and-coming Los Angeles actress Jessica Castello. Unforgettable because Michigan-based Heather has been struck down with cancer while student Emma is locked down indefinitely in Wuhan, China.

Ball maintains she coped just fine being alone on set – “so to speak” – separated as she was from her fellow actors and crew, and from the film’s director, New Zealand-born James Morcan, who also adapted the screenplay from his published novel Anno 2020.

“I loved the collaborative nature of the whole project,” she says.

“It was great working with such a creative team, and especially acting with Jessica even though we were physically separated. We had each other’s backs during what must surely go down as one of the most uncertain, bizarre times of our lives.

“It helped that we all had the same goal in mind – that goal being let’s make art that reflects this very moment. It was a unique way to make a film and was immensely successful in my opinion. I just hope we all get to do something together again. And soon!”

Billed as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of 2020, the Australian-produced Anno 2020 was shot in 17 cities on four continents on a micro budget of US$6,000. A mystery-drama, it recently celebrated its world premiere at a hugely successful red-carpet event in Sydney.

Anno 2020 boasts an award-winning ensemble of international actors. Other cast members include leading Australians Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D) and Greg Poppleton (Last Days of the Space Age, Backtrack and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), American veterans Kevin Scott Allen (Alias, Prison Break and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine) and Chinese American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers), as well as Castello (Oildale), and Australian child actress Audrey Nitschke (Wolf Like Me).

Ball, who describes herself as “happily married” with two “beautiful” daughters, has an undeniable passion for acting.

“My passion is rooted in the acting process. I love the work, am interested in all genres, and can relate to the characters I play. Humanity is a common denominator, and I’m convinced that connection to self and to each other is of utmost importance.”

She says EM Forster’s “Only Connect” mantra is a philosophy she tries to bring to her acting and to her life.

“Living in the moment is the source of my vitality and creativity, and it fuels my power and my promise to do good work.”

A younger Sheila Ball, who studied acting under acclaimed American acting coach Bill Esper and was mentored by the great English actor Alan Rickman, was once famously labelled by PEOPLE magazine as “A young actress to watch.” She started out on stage, appearing in a myriad of Off-Broadway shows. She also worked in film and TV with recurring soap opera roles. One of those roles saw her guest starring alongside Elizabeth Franz and Stephen Mailer in the PBS series Love and Other Sorrows.

Since 1991, Ball has complemented her acting by giving back to the profession, coaching and teaching NYC actors. Fast forward to 2024, and she says she has never been busier.

“I have been working non-stop, which is the best scenario I can imagine in terms of doing what I most love – acting. In what little spare time I have these days I’m researching new roles and writing.

“In the past three years I have shot 11 feature films, and since June last year I’ve been contracted to act in numerous productions, including features, shorts and one Off-Broadway play.”

Ball’s latest projects include leading roles in the Lifetime movie Controlling Husband and the SAG feature film Traction Park.

This Princeton University graduate’s talents extend far beyond acting. They include a variety of sporting achievements that stamped her as an athlete of some ability. Foremost amongst these was a #9 world ranking in stairclimb racing.

Sheila Ball…actress and former world-ranked athlete.

“I was working out, cross-training on the Stairmaster at my gym when a gym instructor suggested I try stairclimbing,” Ball recalls. “I did and I discovered I was pretty good at it!”

“Pretty good” is an understatement: she won the prestigious “Climb to the Top of the Rock” event at the Rockefeller Center twice, securing her impressive world ranking in the process.

Ball’s many talents came as no surprise to Anno 2020’s Kiwi director Sydney-based James Morcan says he is in awe of Ball’s abilities.

“Sheila is one of the most thorough actors I’ve ever worked with,” he says. “Her attention to detail is quite remarkable. One example of this being the impressive amount of research she did into Leukemia, which she felt was required so as to authentically portray a patient coping with that disease.”

Morcan, who also acts in the movie opposite lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, says Ball’s role in Anno 2020 has been consistently highlighted by viewers as their favorite character.

“I am delighted that such a skilled, veteran actress is once again receiving the attention she deserves. I would love to work with Sheila again in any capacity as she’s a professional in every sense.”

Ben-Moshe endorses Morcan’s comments, adding, “Sheila is an actress who keeps on going above and beyond to elevate her role. On set, there was nothing she didn’t do in order to prepare or improve her character.”

The producer describes Ball as a true professional both on and off set.

“Sheila often conversed with James about her scenes. She’s a natural and genuine actress who possesses a wealth of experience. Her powerhouse performance in Anno 2020 offers viewers an emotional rollercoaster, which will have audiences begging for more.”

Recounting her experience on the set of Anno 2020, Ball says she wouldn’t hesitate to work with the Down Under filmmakers again.

“Hell, yes!” she says. “In a heartbeat…and Australia and New Zealand are on my bucket list.”

As for her experience working with Morcan, Ball says he’s simply the best. “James is an actor’s director and I felt we were definitely on the same page in terms of our acting approach. He gets that an actor must come from self first and from there integrate the character and story to generate a hybrid between yourself and the character and story.”

Interstate red-carpet cinema launches are next up for Anno 2020 in Australia. These include a Melbourne screening on May 6, and a Brisbane screening on June 4. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.

The Anno 2020 trailer can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@ANNO2020TheMovie

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Versatile Australian actress Erin Connor felt she “had” to be part of the film Anno 2020

News release April 20, 2024:

Australian actress Erin Connor has emerged as one of the standout stars of Anno 2020, the mystery-drama feature film which celebrated its world premiere at a red-carpet screening in Sydney this month.

Erin Connor…drawn to Anno 2020.

The engaging actress, best known for her screen roles in Occupation: Rainfall, When Love Springs, Dino King 3D and The Suicide Theory, plays a depressed and highly stressed wife separated from her onscreen husband Greg Poppleton, the Sydney-based actor known for Backtrack and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Connor has a reputation for versatility, but to call her versatile is almost doing her a disservice. Once a champion golfer, she changed careers to film and television, making her mark in feature-length films, short films, commercials, and other projects.

Those other projects include strong advocacy for animal protection and preservation – a throwback no doubt to a childhood spent growing up on a tropical fruit farm near Byron Bay, in New South Wales, surrounded by nature and having a menagerie of animals to look after.

“My mother was the daughter of one Captain Neptune Blood,” she said. “He was a prolific explorer who discovered and studied many animal and plant species, notably in the highlands of Papua New Guinea where my mother and my older sister were both born.”

Connor said she had to be part of the Anno 2020 production when the film’s Sydney-based director James Morcan and lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, approached her.

Billed as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of 2020, the movie was shot on a micro budget of US$6,000.

“Anno 2020 drew me in like a magnet,” Connor recalled. “The sheer scope of the project, combined with its unique approach, had me hooked from the get-go. That and the opportunity to collaborate during such a challenging time was simply irresistible.”

She referred to the strict COVID-related lockdowns of 2020 and the fact that the actors were usually physically isolated from each other while the movie was shot in 17 cities on four continents during that most difficult of times.

“Coping with those challenges required a lot of patience and a good dash of creativity, but the warmth and support from everyone involved made it feel like we were all right there together, on set, rather than being separated by oceans in some cases,” said Connor.

“Despite the difficulties, I loved my involvement with Anno 2020. It was such fun I don’t even know where to begin. The bonds formed, the challenges overcome, and the sheer joy of bringing my character to life combined to make it an experience I’ll treasure forever.”

Connor said the highlight for her was the incredible sense of camaraderie that was achieved on set along with the joy of collaborating with such a talented cast and crew. That said, she admitted that slapping her screen husband Poppleton in one dramatic scene was certainly a memorable moment.

As for coping with the challenges of 2020, she said she had to navigate her way, along with many others, through the ups and downs of lockdowns.

“That year (2020) was quite a rollercoaster, wasn’t it? In my case I couldn’t use my Visa to work overseas, and I found it hard not being able to see my aging parents or my siblings and close friends all the while surrounded by the fear of the unknown in such a unique time in the world.

“It really was a test of resilience, but it also brought moments of unexpected beauty and connection in the ‘small stuff’ that happened if you know what I mean.”

Connor’s commitment to Anno 2020, the movie, impressed everyone associated with it – in particular lead producer Ben-Moshe.

“Shooting remotely for the majority of her scenes was a challenge by any measure, but Erin made it look easy,” he said. “She brought much-needed energy to the role she played and the chemistry between her and her co-stars is a highlight for audiences.”

Ben-Moshe said audiences will be moved by her failed marriage to her onscreen husband Greg (Poppleton) as well as her decision to move away from his onscreen niece played by up-and-coming Australian child actress Audrey Nitschke (Wolf Like Me).

“Erin’s performance was always authentic and audiences will be riding every emotion with her as she takes them on an emotional rollercoaster. I really do look forward to working with her again.”

New Zealand-born director James Morcan, who also adapted the film’s screenplay from his published novel Anno 2020, described Connor as a very empathetic, heart-based person.

“That’s part of the reason why she’s such a brilliant actress,” he said. “Whatever scene or whatever role she plays, Erin lives it in the moment. I find her to be one of the most genuine actors in the world and was honoured to work with her.”

Morcan said Connor is not only ultra-professional but is very down to earth and a fun personality to have on a film set.

Connor said she wouldn’t hesitate to work with Anno 2020’s filmmakers again.

“James’s directing was truly something special,” she said. “To see him step into his directorial debut with such confidence and vision was inspiring. He brought out the best in all of us and created an environment where creativity could truly flourish. He is a beautiful person with a sense of calm in his leadership which I believe is the best traits for a director.”

Connor…at home on the red carpet.

In Anno 2020, Erin Connor was surrounded by an award-winning ensemble of international actors. Other cast members include American veteran actors Kevin Scott Allen (Alias, Prison Break and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Sheila Ball (A Prince and Pauper Christmas, Assault On VA-33 and By Deception), and Chinese American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers) as well as Jessica Castello (Oildale).

Connor has two upcoming movies, Piggy and Pinball, both to be shot in Melbourne. In Piggy, she will star alongside Robert Morgan (Babylon, Hacksaw Ridge) and Vince Colosimo (Underbelly, The Second); Pinball, which is still under wraps, will be helmed by award-winning writer-director Matt Holcomb.

A Melbourne cinematic screening of Anno 2020 will be held on May 6, and a Brisbane screening on June 4. Beyond these red-carpet events, the longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.

Video highlights from the recent World Premiere red-carpet screening of Anno 2020 in Sydney can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_sXNibPrHw&t  

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World Premiere screening of Anno 2020 in Sydney a milestone for Kiwi director James Morcan

News release: April 10, 2024:

Invited guests mingled enthusiastically with cast and crew of the Australian-produced, New Zealand-helmed movie Anno 2020 at its world premiere in Sydney on Sunday.

The red-carpet event, which drew a near-capacity audience of more than 300, was a milestone for New Zealand-born James Morcan who made his directorial debut helming Anno 2020 and who adapted the screenplay from his published novel. The Sydney-based writer-director is also an actor and has a memorable acting role in the film.

Anno 2020 director James Morcan with Australian child actress Audrey Nitschke share the red carpet at the film’s world premiere.

“I was thrilled by the audience response to the movie,” said Morcan. “Keeping in mind it was shot during the strict COVID lockdowns in 2020, many people resonated with the film. It sparked a real mix of emotions – happy and sad – and it gave those who thought they knew what 2020 was all about something to ponder.”  

The premiere was heralded a stellar success by the film’s lead producer, Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, Sydney.

“Guests were treated to food and drinks before the screening of the 2.5 hour movie, which was followed by a Q and A session involving the audience, cast and crew,” said Ben-Moshe.

Guests arrive for the World Premiere screening of Anno 2020 at The Ritz Cinema in Sydney.

“There was a real buzz in the cinema, and the enthusiastic applause at the end of the film showed that most resonated with its message. It clearly stirred up mixed emotions, reminding everyone present what they had experienced in the tumultuous year that was 2020.

“Film industry representatives in attendance were surprised to learn that the movie was shot in 17 cities on four continents on a micro budget of US$6,000.

“Three days later the positive messages and emails from attendees are still pouring in. It’s a gratifying reminder that the evening was a great success.”

Filmmakers (from left) lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, guest producer-director Marc Radomsky, director-producer James Morcan and producer Oren Ben-Moshe on the red carpet at the Anno 2020 world premiere.

Billed as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of 2020, Anno 2020 boasts an award-winning ensemble of international actors.

Cast members include leading Australians Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D) and Greg Poppleton (Last Days of the Space Age, Backtrack and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), American veterans Kevin Scott Allen (Alias, Prison Break and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Sheila Ball (A Prince and Pauper Christmas, Assault On VA-33 and By Deception), and Chinese American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers), as well as Jessica Castello (Oildale), and Australian child actress Audrey Nitschke (Wolf Like Me).

Next up for Anno 2020 is a Melbourne screening on May 6, and a Brisbane screening on June 4. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms. 

Major Instagram influencers on the red carpet at Anno 2020’s world premiere are (from left): producer Oren Ben-Moshe, Dorota Kluz, Dilek Saticieli, Gil Ben-Moshe, Vesna Angelevski, Anthanasia Sklavenitis, Mikey Gelo, Zoe Abela, Bhavinder Sanghera and Leo Sklavenitis.

The Anno 2020 trailer can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@ANNO2020TheMovie

Anno 2020 IMDb page: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13455748/

Anno 2020 film industry site link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13455748/

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Actor Greg Poppleton believes Anno 2020 authentically captures mood of the lockdowns

News release: April 5, 2024:

Australian actor Greg Poppleton plays a husband and brother grappling with tragic family issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 lockdowns in the mystery-drama movie Anno 2020, which celebrates its world premiere in Sydney on April 7.

Actor Greg Poppleton.

Sydney-based Poppleton, whose credits include the upcoming Last Days of the Space Age (2024), Backtrack (2015) and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), plays a highly-strung, disillusioned character, estranged from his American-based, onscreen brother Kevin Scott Allen (Star Trek, Alias, Prison Break) and separated from his onscreen wife Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D).

Anno 2020’s New Zealand-born director James Morcan describes Poppleton as an actor who prepares for roles meticulously.

“I can also safely say he’s the most unpredictable performer I’ve ever worked with,” Morcan says. “Which was brilliant not only for me but also for the other cast members. I would love to work with him again.”

Those comments are echoed by Anno 2020’s lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, who lauded the amount of preparation Poppleton did leading up to his scenes.

“Every single word spoken was considered in detail and delivered perfectly,” he says.

Ben-Moshe says apart from making the script come to life, the actor’s improvisation was something else altogether.

“Some of the movie’s best dialogue was improvised by Greg and his co-star Kevin (Scott Allen). It was authentic and heartfelt, and it elevated his character to another level. Audiences will be captivated by his believable and charismatic style of acting.”

The fourth of five children to bus driver Bert and shop worker Aileen (Stapleton), a young Greg Poppleton grew up in working class Sydney. He was discovered in a cattle call for a kids’ programme and made his movie debut in a scene with Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge in 2001.

Since that impressive introduction, he has appeared in one-on-one movie scenes with Adrien Brody and John Goodman, and on TV he has appeared in the series Barons (ABC), The Last Days of the Space Age (Disney +), and Year Of (Stan) among many other series.

Speaking from his home in Sydney this week, Poppleton, who is married with two sons, says he was drawn to participating in Anno 2020 because of the hugeness of the undertaking.

“Connecting the world at a time when the world was being fragmented and isolated was both the aim and the message of this production,” he says.

“Anno 2020 is an authentic artefact of the lockdowns. It was created during the lockdowns and is infused with the spirit of the times. Something that can never be replicated by future productions looking back. Paradoxically, in the age of isolation, Anno 2020 brought people together from across the globe whose paths, if not for the pandemic, would probably have never crossed.”

As for the cataclysmic year that was 2020, Greg marvels at the ingenuity people everywhere showed in remaining connected one way or another.

“There’s no doubt it (the year) presented new ways to do things and new ways to see things. The ingenuity individuals displayed in remaining social amazed me.”

Poppleton says his lasting memory of his involvement in Anno 2020, the movie, was how well director James Morcan and producer Gil Ben Moshe worked, together and with their cast.

“Their primary concern was in creating believable relationships between characters, and we talked a lot about character and relationships before the shoot.

“Getting to improvise the characters online weeks before the shoot with my onscreen brother, Elijah, played by the smart, generous and playful, Kevin Scott Allen, made the relationship between us genuinely brotherly. We say things to each other only brothers can get away with.

 “In rehearsal we developed a detailed history together, not on a dry intellectual level, but on a connected and emotional one based solely on the script and encouraged by James. We rehearsed the story on its feet straight away, which as (the acting teacher Michael) Chekhov famously said, ‘is the actors’ way.’ It meant we could talk in character about anything in the story with spontaneity when the cameras rolled, whether at a train station, in a park or walking through city streets. Nothing threw us.

“That same process also created believable, spontaneous relationships between my character’s niece, played by the wonderful, up-and-coming Audrey Nitschke, and my estranged onscreen wife, the generous Erin Connor.”

Poppleton describes Morcan’s direction as textbook and says he’d be delighted to work with him and with Ben-Moshe again in future.

“All the preparation with actors concerning their ideas, character and relationships was done thoroughly before the shoot. When the camera rolled everyone knew what to do and were at ease with each other, and that’s a reflection of James’s directing style.”

Outside of acting, Poppleton has the unique distinction of being Australia’s only authentic 1920s-30s singer. He has over 1.3 million YouTube hits, released eight albums, played Sydney Festival twice, and produces and hosts the networked jazz show, The Phantom Dancer, on Australian radio.

Greg Poppleton…the jazz singer.

Poppleton will attend Anno 2020’s world premiere red-carpet event at Randwick’s The Ritz Cinema, in Sydney, on April 7. Beyond that, a Melbourne screening will take place at the Lido Cinema on May 6, and a Brisbane screening at the New Farm Cinema on June 4. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.

The Anno 2020 trailer can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@ANNO2020TheMovie

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Australian-produced feature film Anno 2020 marks directorial debut for Kiwi director

As the countdown continues for the world premiere of the Australian-produced mystery-drama Anno 2020 – at a red-carpet event in Sydney on April 7 – attention turns to the film’s New Zealand-born author-director James Morcan.

James Morcan (right) with Anno 2020 producer Gil Ben-Moshe in Downtown Sydney.

The Sydney-based 45-year-old made his directorial debut helming this movie and has the distinction of not only writing the Anno 2020 script but adapting it from his published novel of the same name. He is also a screen actor, and he goes against type to play the part of an anti-Semite in an unforgettable scene opposite Jewish actor Gil Ben-Moshe, who is also the film’s lead producer.

Morcan describes Anno 2020 as a mammoth, all-consuming, creative book-to-film project he has been working on around the clock since the Covid-19 lockdowns began in early 2020. He was set to direct another feature film in Sydney when he was pulled from it when the pandemic intervened, resulting in the cancellation of the production. Undeterred, he turned his attention to Anno 2020.

“The storyline (of Anno 2020) is my attempt to make sense of, or mentally process, our strangely altered reality and everything humanity collectively endured in 2020. For the last three years I’ve devoted my life to it, from writing the novel and then the screenplay adaptation to directing the filming and finally guiding it thru post-production.”

Morcan says it’s no exaggeration to say, for him, the film was an absolute beast to direct, but he insists it was always rewarding as the quality was evident throughout the production.  

“I lived every scene in my mind over the duration, visualizing how to bring to life this epic, heartfelt story in the most dramatic yet believable way. The result is a film best described as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of 2020.

“If I could summarize Anno 2020 in one word, I would say: substance. It has substance in spades and that’s what I always aim for as a storyteller. Early viewer feedback we are receiving confirms that this story makes people laugh, cry, think on a philosophical level and reflect on their own lives in new ways.”

Morcan believes it will feel extremely genuine to cinemagoers, and he primarily attributes that to some of the filmmaking techniques he and his colleagues pioneered during the film’s making.

“Keeping in mind the movie was shot during the strict lockdowns in 17 cities on four continents, we faced unique challenges. Our actors, in the main, were isolated and separated from each other as opposed to being together on set.

“Besides directing all the many Australian scenes on location, remote filming tech allowed me to direct cast members and crews in the various global locations that I couldn’t travel to due to Covid restrictions. This allowed my crew and I to film live all over the world without travelling to every single location.”

Anno 2020 boasts an award-winning ensemble of international actors. They include leading Australians Greg Poppleton (Backtrack, The Chronicles of Narnia) and Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D), as well as US veterans Kevin Scott Allen (Star Trek, Alias, Prison Break) and Chinese American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers).

“The actors were pushed to their limits as the rare performance style we employed is emotionally raw, semi-improvisational and mostly shot via close-ups courtesy of Zoom technology.

“This was not only reflective of the way many people were forced to communicate during the pandemic, but also it created a never-before-seen way to view characters interacting in movies – showing two close-ups at once. That’s something that’s never seen in regular movies apart from brief split-screen footage.

“Our video-linked conversations provide a real intimacy and dramatically contrast with the panoramic shots in the rest of the film.”

Morcan says those panoramic shots he refers to were all filmed using high-quality cinema cameras.

“Strategically recreating Zoom-style chats proved to be an asset. Our actors infused their own real-life experiences, be they traumatic or joyful, in cinema vérité fashion. That ‘real life’ injection helped evolve their characters into something even more truthful, giving this overall piece of entertainment shades of docu-drama or at least ultra-realism.

“Audiences will definitely feel these honest truths, proving the old adage what comes from the heart, goes to the heart.”

Morcan says one of the groundbreaking methods employed while shooting was to encourage ad-libbed interactions where the actors improvised much of the dialogue around preconceived situations.

“These improvised sequences facilitated a sense of immense spontaneity and realism similar to what auteur directors Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorcese did in the likes of those 1970’s classics Apocalypse Now and Taxi Driver, and more recently in Scorcese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. That approach led to very genuine interactions between actors in character.”

Anno 2020’s lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, says he believes the movie will launch Morcan’s career as a director.

“James proved to every actor involved that he understands story and what it takes to direct an ensemble that boasts Hollywood credits. I’m truly excited for him and look forward to working with him on many future projects.”

Ben-Moshe says collaborating with Morcan on Anno 2020 was confirmation for him that he has directing chops, an admirable work ethic, and the ability to get a performance out of any actor regardless of age, experience, or attitude.

“Directing is a real artform which requires an enormous amount of work, planning and having a clear vision for every scene. James worked around the clock ensuring he was prepared for every possible scenario that could arise during pre-production and primary photography.”

From Morcan’s perspective, Anno 2020 is the culmination of a two decade-long career telling stories in the creative mediums of cinema, television, and theatre – around the world and spanning various genres and historical periods. One notable acting performance was a lead role alongside Berynn Schwerdt (Wyrmwood) in the post-Apocalyptic feature film After Armageddon, which he also wrote.

Other leading roles include the OZ-Bollywood feature films My Cornerstone and Love You Krishna for which he also wrote the screenplays for. Both productions were filmed in Sydney and Mumbai, and incorporated English and Hindi languages. My Cornerstone screened in cinemas Australia-wide and in selected Indian cinemas.

Morcan also performed in Ben Hur: The Stadium Spectacular, starring Russell Crowe, before an audience of 130,000 people over two nights at Sydney’s ANZ Olympic Stadium. Other acting credits include the British TV series Dark Knight, the BBC feature Wild About Harry, and TV commercials for multinational companies like Samsung and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Another acting highlight was playing a vigilante in The Pawn, a gritty feature film set in Melbourne, Victoria, which Morcan’s production company Morcan Motion Pictures produced. The noir-style thriller premiered at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival and screened at the Imperia Film Festival in Italy.

He was also Executive producer on Desired, a New Zealand thriller directed by Amanda Phillips and starring Dwayne Cameron (#211). It was shot in Auckland and premiered at Cannes Marche du Film in France.

Morcan has also made his mark as an author. Writing in collaboration with his father Lance Morcan, he has co-authored some 35 published fiction and non-fiction books in addition to his solo-authored novel Anno 2020. Many of these have been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists.

The father-and-son writing team’s novels include the bestselling historical adventures Fiji, White Spirit and Into the Americas, and their acclaimed thrillers Silent Fear and The Orphan Trilogy. The pair are progressively adapting their novels to feature film screenplays, and several of these are in early development.

Among their most popular non-fiction titles is Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, a book that was written in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to document the historicity of the WW2 genocide.

Across film, television, theatre, and literature, Morcan says he has often covered similar themes to those of Anno 2020.

“My stories usually involve twist endings as this film has, as well as powerful, realistic characters that audiences and readers can relate to.”

Looking ahead, Morcan says his goal for the movie Anno 2020, besides commercial success, is to achieve a sense of unity.

“In an increasingly complex modern world that seems to be more and more about divisions in society, where people are all being lumped into political sides or categories and are pitted against each other, a diverse, all-inclusive film with family and community values will prove to be very timely in my opinion.

“And I am confident audiences will be surprised to see all the similarities in the different characters we follow across the many countries, cultures, religions and ethnicities we explore throughout the story.”

Anno 2020 will celebrate its world premiere at a red-carpet event at Randwick’s The Ritz Cinema, in Sydney, on April 7. Beyond that, a Melbourne screening will take place at the Lido Cinema on May 6, and a Brisbane screening at the New Farm Cinema on June 4. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.

The Anno 2020 trailer can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@ANNO2020TheMovie

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