Hello May
With a spring in our step we are bouncing into May! We’ve had more sunshine recently and with restrictions being relaxed we can (safely) see more of our loved ones. Cinemas will also be reopening in England this month which is super exciting! Whether you fancy popping out or are spending time at home, we have another batch of RP team recommendations for you to check out. Before you start noting these down for later, here’s our founder, Caris, to let you know what we are currently getting up to here at Rianne Pictures.
What have we been up to?
We’ve had a little switch-a-round here, so you’ll get a full update and personal little message from me in our monthly newsletter if you’re subscribed, if not - head over to here! But here’s your monthly round-up of Rianne Pictures news.
Laverne Caprice joined our podcast hosting her own segment ‘News and Reviews’. It still blows my mind we have a whole podcast team now, especially one that is so dedicated to bringing a fresh approach to film chatter. You can see a little behind the scenes over on our Instagram that we made too…yes I entered TikTok at 29, anything is possible.
We attended two brilliant film festivals last month Glasgow and BFI Flare, online festivals have allowed our team to attend more festivals and explore more films, we really hope we see this in the future when restrictions lift. Read our reviews on the women and non binary directed films over at RP: Editorial.
We’ve now got one month left of our first RP: Evolve cohort, it’s fantastic to see our 6 mentorees develop not only their writing skills but their confidence. Applications for the next cohort will be opening in the summer, so keep an eye out.
Last but not least Women X, so much is happening and we are so overwhelmed by the kindness and excitement of our new partners, the filmmakers and our audience who are looking forward to attending. The team have been in over 26 hours of meetings over the past month with funders, venues, partners, filmmakers and journalists. We can’t wait to share more with you, but for now we can tell you that our festival home will be ARC Stockton. A gorgeous arts centre in the North East with a wonderful team.
You can also add yourself to our Women X Waiting List where you’ll grab a free gift when you purchase your pass! Tickets will be on sale from August 1st.
Team wise we have a few new faces on board! Growing our North East based team is important as we’re doing more regional work with venues opening up, but we also have a couple new additions in our International team and UK wide team. We’ll introduce them once they’ve settled in….and had time to change their mind and run away from the madness…
Now back over to Sophie for your monthly recommendations.
Caris x
TV Shows
The Underground Railroad - Amazon Prime
The Underground Railroad - Amazon Prime
Barry Jenkins’ is truly a creative genius and you can catch his latest work, The Underground Railroad, on Amazon Prime from the 14th May. It looks amazing and stars Thuso Mbedu and William Jackson Harper - Neha truly cannot wait for this to come out as she is always excited for Jenkin’s new releases.
The Righteous Gemstones - Sky
Streaming on HBO over in the US and Sky here in the UK, The Righteous Gemstones is the best satire of the prosperity gospel Courtney has ever seen! She also describes it as also being very touching and genuine. Filming has just begun for season 2 so make sure to catch up with the first season beforehand.
My Love: Six Stories of True Love - Netflix
My Love: Six Stories of True Love - Netflix
After being emotionally destroyed by the Korean documentary My Love Don’t Cross That River, Ashton decided to watch My Love: Six Stories of True Love on Netflix, a show inspired by it. Each episode follows a year in the life of different elderly couples who have been together for over 50 years - it’s interesting and super sweet so if you need some wholesome content, this has got you covered.
The Kominsky Method - Netflix
The third and final season of comedy-drama The Kominsky Method is being released on Netflix later this month! Neha is very excited to be reunited with (as she calls him) her snarky, grumpy grandad - Alan Arkin. Catch it on the 28th May for a delightful slice of escapism.
Ackley Bridge - Channel 4
Ackley Bridge - Channel 4
I threw on the first episode of Ackley Bridge and did not anticipate how much I’d get into it! It’s like an updated (and, tbh, better) Waterloo Road and I love the characters a lot. Yes, there is an unrealistic amount of drama happening all at once but it’s addictive and also features really interesting storylines, some of which focus on sexuality, prejudice, and class. The fourth season has just aired on Channel 4.
The Flight Attendant - Sky One
It may be a series about murder but The Flight Attendant is strangely quite a fun and enjoyable show! Kaley Cuoco shines as the titular flight attendant who finds herself wrapped up in a murder. Lauren and Emily have found it to be an easy show to watch.
Podcasts
Motherhacker - Gimlet
Are You From That Show?
Two former child stars of My Parents Are Aliens, Hatty and Jordan, who interview other child stars about their experiences and journeys out of child fame. Pearl especially liked the episodes which featured interviews with April Pearson of Skins, and Bobby Lockwood of Wolfblood (which he won a children’s BAFTA for) and who now stars in Casualty. Other guests include Dani Harmer, Mara Wilson, and Dakota Blue Richards.
Motherhacker - Gimlet
I’ve gotten really into fiction podcasts recently and Motherhacker is one that I really loved! The show stars Carrie Coon as a mum who ends up getting involved in an identity theft ring and also features the ever wonderful Pedro Pascal. The episodes are really short (around 10 minutes each) and you’ll easily finish this in a day.
Your Own Backyard
Lauren highly recommends the documentary podcast Your Own Backyard, a true crime show which investigates the 1996 disappearance of student, Kristin Smart. Amazingly, the show has even brought about some tips that have led to actual arrests in the case.
Fake Like Me
Books
The Bigamist + The Psychopath - Mary Turner Thompson
Ashton has two non-fiction book recommendations this month, both from Mary Turner Thompson. The Bigamist + The Psychopath document the author’s incredible story of her marriage to a psychopathic liar who was married to multiple women and conning everyone around him. It’s truly unbelievable and her tale is incredible yet inspirational. If you’re a fan of true crime content, add this to your reading list.
Fake Like Me - Barbara Bourland
Pearl has discovered a couple of new favourite authors this year, one of which is Barbara Bourland. Her second novel, Fake Like Me, follows a young artist as she follows in the footsteps of her doomed idol - it also has a great twist at the end!
Local Girls - Caroline Zancan
Caroline Zancan’s debut Local Girls is a lovely insight into teenage friendship focussed around a group of girls who meet their favourite actor in their small town bar. Pearl really enjoyed this as well as one of her newer books, We Wish You Luck, which is a great read for anyone who loves a campus novel.
Untamed - Glennon Doyle
Neha has previously recommended Untamed but it’s just so good that we are bringing it back! Caris recently listened to the audiobook and she has never before experienced a book which allowed her to uncover who she is as a person. The book allows you to feel heartbreak, grief, guilt, shame, hurt (and so much more!) whilst also affirming that this is part of being human! Anyway, she’s off to change her whole life now!
Music
Collections From the Whiteout - Ben Howard
Ben Howard’s latest album is out and Neha has been listening and loving it! Collections From the Whiteout is a beautiful and melancholic bunch of songs, and it’s set to be Neha’s soundtrack of the summer for any moody, long drives in the warm sun.
