First Shift (film)
First Shift | |
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Directed by | Uwe Boll |
Written by | Uwe Boll |
Produced by | Uwe Boll |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Mathias Neumann[3] |
Edited by | Ethan Maniquis[3] |
Music by |
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Production company | Event Film[3] |
Distributed by |
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Release dates | April 10, 2024 (IDIF)[1] September 2024 (U.S. and Canada)[2] |
Running time | 89 minutes[5] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
First Shift is a 2024 American
First Shift marks Boll's formal return to filmmaking after at least five years on hiatus from the industry, during which time he set up a now-defunct upscale restaurant in Vancouver and directed a documentary; as such, it is his first American film since Rampage: President Down.[3][6] Filming on First Shift began and completed in March 2023, on location in New York City. Despite legal hurdles over allegations of unfair labor practices committed on set (which Boll denied), it premiered in his native Germany at the Independent Days International Filmfest, on April 10, 2024, and is scheduled for a wide release in the United States and Canada in September 2024.
Premise
Set in
Cast
Production and release
On February 16, 2023,
THR reported that the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) had filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) against line producer Ari Taub and his studio Hit and Run Productions for alleged unfair labor practices on the set of the film.[6] The complainants, which comprised a small group of crew members, alleged that the producers had intimidated them into not participating on a strike in an effort to unionize the film, contrary to NLRB's provisions. One of the complainants alleged that Taub had brought a prop gun to the set, to the surprise of the crew members who thought it was never part of the shoot, but this reportedly "ended without incident".[6] Both Boll and Taub denied the accusations, with Boll calling them "completely baseless" and Taub threatening to countersue. Boll argued that the accusations were malicious attempts by disgruntled crew members to ruin him and his film after their demands to turn it into a union production were not met.[6] In disputing the alleged prop gun incident, Boll said that he swore by "rubber guns", squibs, and digitally-added gunshots, partly as a result of the Rust shooting incident that caused the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins; this was corroborated by his German executive producer Michael Roesch. In addition, Boll said that he was contacted by PETA over a complaint from an anonymous source that Gino Anthony Pesi's dog was not taken care of during filming, which Pesi dismissed as a lie intended to be a last-ditch effort of the complainants to ruin Boll's film further, after having failed to extort him into unionizing it. Kristen Renton also defended Boll against the allegations.[6]
Variety reported on October 30, 2023 that Quiver Distribution had secured the distribution rights to the film for the American and Canadian markets and "selected international territories" when Kinostar (which is handling its international sales) was presenting it at the American Film Market (AFM).[2] The film premiered in Germany at the Independent Days International Filmfest, on April 10, 2024;[1] it is scheduled for a wide release in the United States and Canada in September 2024.[2]
References
- ^ a b Meza, Ed (April 7, 2024). "Amanda Plummer, James Russo, Ulrich Thomsen Board Uwe Boll's Migrant Thriller 'Run' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c Meza, Ed (October 30, 2023). "Uwe Boll's 'First Shift' Acquired by Quiver Distribution Ahead of AFM (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Meza, Ed (February 16, 2023). "Uwe Boll Returns With New York City Crime Drama 'First Shift' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "First Shift". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ "First Shift". Independent Days International Filmfest (in German). Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Roxborough, Scott (March 31, 2023). "Notorious German Director Uwe Boll's 'First Shift' Faces Claim Over Unfair Labor Practices". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
External links
- Official website
- First Shift at IMDb