Divinity Lands SAG-AFTRA Deal, Set for Theatrical Release
Writer-director Eddie Alcazar's dystopian sci-fi thriller Divinity, starring Stephen Dorff, Bella Thorne, and Scott Bakula has reached a significant milestone as it has landed a SAG-AFTRA Interim Agreement. This development enables cast members to promote the film's theatrical release actively. The movie will premiere at the Regal Union Square in New York on October 13th, while Los Angeles will join the experience on the 20th. A widespread expansion of the movie into theaters is anticipated on November 3.
Co-distributed by Utopia and Sumerian, Divinity first made a stunning impression in the NEXT section of the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. The film, a striking black-and-white indie, is set in a human existence laced with a considerable amount of mystery and intrigue, with the backing of executive producer Steven Soderbergh. It features character Sterling Pierce; a scientist played by Scott Bakula, who devotes his life to an immortality-searching cause, resulting in the creation of a groundbreaking serum named "Divinity."
Dorff, who portrays the role of Jaxxon, Sterling Pierce's son, now controls the manufacturing operations of the once-beneficial dream of his father. However, the previously barren society has become warped due to the soaring supremacy of the drug, whose roots and origins are veiled in secrecy. A plot then unfolds as two enigmatic brothers, portrayed by Moises Arias and Jason Genao, plan to kidnap the tycoon. With the assistance of a beguiling woman Nikita, played by Karrueche Tran, they hurtle towards immortality.
Alcazar not only offers a thrilling and mind-boggling script for Divinity but also dons the hat of the director and producer. He is joined in production duties by associates Javier Lovato, Raphael Gindre, and Johnny Starke.
Dorff, who offers insight into his journey with Divinity, shares that his intrigue towards the project stemmed from Alcazar's short The Vandal. Thorne, in expressing her enjoyment of the process, mentions the unique experience working on a "very unorthodox set." Meanwhile, Tran echoes the overarching theme of the movie, stating that the film's intent is to engage audiences in pondering life, death, and rebirth.
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As we switch gears from the facts, let's dive into this news with my spin.
Who doesn't love a hearty dollop of dystopia with their popcorn, right? With Divinity, that promising sci-fi savor gets a touch more intriguing, woven with the threads of obsession, immortality, and a hauntingly barren planet which could house the set for your next existential crisis.
Dorff, Bakula, and Thorne are no strangers to the "forward isn't the only way forward" summary that sci-fi often champions. Their performances, coupled with Alcazar's ardent steering of the story, sets the stage for a journey deep down the rabbit hole of what defines our humanity.
And talk about an indie punch! I found the dichotomy of utilizing the timeless black-and-white color palette for a futuristic story rather refreshing. It serves as a subtle reminder that even amidst our space-age progressions, some questions - death, rebirth, and the afterlife - remain evergreen.
Of course, being an unashamed comedy club junkie, the potential for the dark humor in a dystopian sci-fi setting is what really has my eyebrows peaked. Yet, in all its wry and dry glory, Divinity isn't just a comedy in sci-fi clothing - it challenges the audience to a tug-of-war between hope, despair, and the thin, blurry lines that separate the two.
As rumors fly around faster than a warp drive activation, it seems Alcazar's Divinity may just deliver an unforgettable trek into the depths of longing and legacy. Don't know about you, but I'm dusting off my best sci-fi preamble for this one. After all, isn't it about time we asked ourselves: if reaching out to infinity means letting go of our humanity, how far are we truly willing to reach?
