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As humans, we are all faced with the ephemeral.

A Note from Anton's mother on Ukraine

March 7th, 2022
Anton heard terrifying stories about the Siege of Leningrad during World War II. Now people from this city where he was born are in the streets demonstrating against another war created by evil. I am sure if Anton was with us he would be heartbroken, and thoroughly support the Ukrainian People in their fight for freedom and independence. In one of his interviews, Anton said, “I don’t feel any connection to Russia.” I was surprised and upset at that time but not anymore. We hope Ukraine will win one day and again enjoy peace in their beautiful country.
- Irina Yelchin

A Letter from President Bill Clinton to Anton re: Columbine


January 5, 2000
Dear Anton:
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about the recent shootings in our nation’s schools. Like all Americans, I’ve been deeply shocked and saddened by these tragic incidents of gun violence. It is difficult to understand what could drive young people to do such terrible things. I believe that everyone deserves schools that are safe and secure. As your President, I am working with members of Congress in your state and local leaders to find ways to prevent future incidents from occurring. While we do this, you can help us by communicating with your parents, teachers, and friends about your concerns and your ideas for making things better. It is also very important that you stay focused on your schoolwork. Together, we can create a safe and brighter future for everyone.
Sincerely,
Bill Clinton

'Love, Antosha': A Fitting Love Letter To The Talents Of Anton Yelchin


By LEE BROWN

On June 19th, 2016, actor Anton Yelchin passed away as the result of a freak accident. The cause was 'blunt traumatic asphyxia,' the result of a malfunction with his Fiat Chrysler, which rolled down Anton's driveway and pinned the actor against his fence. He was killed by his injuries. At the time of his passing, he was only 27 years of age. When news broke out in the news media, hearts were broken, not only of those of his friends and family but by his huge fanbase too. He, like many other much-loved actors over the years, Heath Ledger and River Phoenix among them, had been taken too soon.

Love, Antosha, a documentary titled with the send-0ff Anton gave to his own mother through personal letters and cards, is an affectionate tribute to this young man, and reminds us (as if we ever needed reminding anyway), that we have lost an incredible talent and a beautiful human being.

Remembering Anton Yelchin
Anton Yelchin was born on March 11, 1989, in Leningrad, the son of Irina and Viktor Yelchin. Nicknamed 'Antosha,' he was much loved by his parents, and to give him a better chance in life, away from the repressive Russian regime, they moved to Los Angeles before he was one year old. As witnessed through the home movies showcased in the documentary, Anton started to perform at an early age. Acting was clearly in his blood, and after taking classes in the craft, he made his acting debut in television series ER at the age of 10. Several smaller roles followed, and then, at the age of 11, he landed his breakout role with Anthony Hopkins and Hope Davies in the Stephen King adaptation Hearts in Atlantis.

More television roles followed until Anton found greater success as a young teenager on the indie scene, in films such as House of D and Fierce People. His star power also shone brightly in more widely seen films, with the likes of Charlie Bartlett, Terminator: Salvation, and Odd Thomas among them, and after critical acclaim for his work, his place in Hollywood was secured.

Many people know Anton best for his role as Anton Chekov in the Star Trek reboot and its sequels, though his later career was littered with a number of other hits, including Green Room and Thoroughbreds, the latter being released after his death. By the time of his death at the age of 27, he had completed over 69 film and television projects.

The Documentary That Will Break Your Heart

Love, Antosha, the affectionate and heartbreaking documentary made to celebrate Anton's life, features interviews with all of the people who knew Anton best. We get to hear from his parents, who regale us with stories about Anton's kind nature, his goofy sense of humor, and his first forays into filmmaking with the shorts he made himself with the family camcorder. Some of these early films are shown within the documentary, and we, the audience, see what his parents saw, a star in the making. We also hear from Anton's friends, with joyful recollections of childhood hijinks, teenage passions, and journies together in adulthood. Their remembrances of Anton are beautifully told, and they speak of him with true love and affection. Anton was somebody who showed real kindness to the people he was friends with, so it's little wonder that, on his passing, a great sense of loss was left in the people he left behind.

And we hear from the many people Anton worked with, each one proclaiming truths about the young actor's incredible talents, his dedication to filmmaking, and the inner beauty that shone through in his personality. As with the tales told by his friends and family, there is a great deal of sadness underpinning their words as they talk with fondness about him. We hear from such luminaries as Anthony Hopkins, JJ Abrams, and Martin Landau, with tales of Anton's advanced for his age acting ability. Star Trek co-star John Cho discusses Anton's loveably mischievous sense of humor. And they all talk about a talent that was destined for even bigger and greater things, if only he hadn't been taken away so soon. When speaking about his death, it is perhaps Simon Pegg who says it best of all. Anton's death, he said, was 'cataclysmically unfair.' You can probably identify with this sentiment. It is especially unfair that it happened when it did, as Anton was in the process of starting what would be his directorial debut, Travis, a film named after the lead character in one of the films that inspired Anton's love for cinema, Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver.

Beyond Anton's professional life, the documentary also sheds light on his personal life too. We hear about his music, his love for capturing the dark side of LA with his photography, and his commitment to the people he loved and cared for. We also hear about his long-term battle with Cystic Fibrosis, a condition that, if Anton hadn't died so soon anyway, would have taken his life at a too-early stage. It is a testament to Anton's character and his commitment to the craft of filmmaking that he never let CF get in the way. He even kept his condition a secret from most of the people he worked with, as he didn't want it to get in the way of the work he was sharing with others. The documentary does a wonderful job of capturing all facets of Anton's life, and it's just a shame that the climax to the film had already been written. We see the tears of the people who loved him, and when watching, we also share those tears as the film's final chapter closes.

Anton Yelchin: A Life Worth Remembering

Thanks to the amazing performances captured on screen, we will never get to forget the incredible talents of Anton Yelchin. And thanks to Love, Antosha, the documentary that will also stand the test of time, we will never forget about those other aspects of his life; his deep love for his family and friends, his passionate grasp on life and all that it could give him, and his marvelous sense of humor that he retained, despite his personal battles in life.

In the words of one of Anton's close friends when discussing Anton's untimely death. "It was a very Anton-ish way to go. He would just turn up in places, and then you would turn around, and he would be gone."

And that is so true of his relationship with us, the viewer at home, always happy to see him appear on the screen, be it in a big-budget blockbuster or a low-budget indie. He was with us for such a short time, just a brief moment within the long tapestry of lives that many of us experience, but despite the unexpected pleasures he brought us, he is now gone. He was here but now he is no more, although we can always hit the rewind button if ever we need to catch sight of him again.
Anton will be missed, but in the vein of the love letters that he sent him mom, signing each one off with the words 'love, Anatosha,' the documentary of the same name will forever remain a fitting love letter to the man who brought friends, family, and fans alike, a lifetime of memories that will never be forgotten.

Source: https://www.thethings.com/love-antosha-a-fitting-love-letter-to-the-talents-of-anton-yelchin

Victor and Irina Yelchin Celebrate Anton Yelchin’s 31st Birthday at Hollywood Forever Cemetery


On March 11th, a small amount of family and friends visited the Hollywood Forever to pay their respects to Anton Yelchin. A few fans also attended for the annual celebration. No announcements or invitations were made because of the current viral pandemic. Friends and family reminisced while Anton’s music was played through a portable speaker.

Victor and Irina Yelchin traditionally release heart shaped balloons to their son on his birthday March 11th. But due to the inclement weather, the balloons were released on March 15th.

See the videos here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxrDeMA32zs&t=20s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKBuPCDe_xQ

Circuit Q&A: Remembering Anton Yelchin – What’s Your Favorite Performance?


by Joey Magidson - March 11th, 2020

Anton Yelchin would have been 31 years old today. His untimely death was a shock, snuffing out a life that was just getting started. Yelchin had a whole career in front of him but had already made such an impact, which the documentary “Love, Antosha” gets into. Today, for his birthday, we want to find out which of his roles you’re most fond of. Plus, if you’re not totally familiar with his work, you can use this as a handy starting point.

In terms of a wide audience, Yelchin is certainly best known for his involvement in the “Star Trek” franchise. His performance as Chekov is one of the many reasons why this interpretation of the property worked so well. Whether the current group of cast members continues in the series or not, his contribution will decidedly be missed.

Other Yelchin roles that garnered some acclaim include “Alpha Dog,” “Green Room,” “Like Crazy,” and “Only Lovers Left Alive.” Those titles each generated some buzz, and in particular with “Like Crazy,” contended for some Oscar love. While co-stars like Felicity Jones deservedly got a lot of attention, sleeping on his work, in addition to snubbing it, was a real shame.

If you’re looking for some underrated turns of his, look to “5 to 7,” “The Beaver,” “Charlie Bartlett,” and “Rudderless.” He was long a rock of indie cinema, putting forth challenging and interesting work that defied easy description. In particular, “5 to 7” represents one of his very best performances, while “The Beaver” was sadly overshadowed by the bad behavior of Mel Gibson.

We want to hear about your tributes to Anton Yelchin now. On his birthday, which movies or performances of his are your favorites? Is there something you’ll be watching today to honor him? Let us know!

Source:
https://www.awardscircuit.com/circuit-qa-remembering-anton-yelchin-2

Anton Yelchin Remembered on His 31st Birthday by Fans Across Social Media


by Jeremy Dick

On what would have been his 31st birthday, the late Anton Yelchin is being remembered by his fans all across the globe on social media. Born in 1989, Yelchin died in the summer of 2016 as the result of a freak accident when he was pinned between his Jeep and a brick pillar outside of his home. Gone way too soon, the young actor's sudden passing broke the hearts of fans across the world. A truly remarkable person, Yelchin's short life and career were later made the subject of the documentary Love, Antosha, which premiered last year at the Sundance Film Festival to great acclaim from fans and critics.

Last year, Garret Price, who directed Love, Antosha, spoke about the movie on the late actor's 30th birthday. "There's a whole audience that needs to learn more about Anton," Price says, reaffirming his commitment to get Yelchin's story further out there by way of the documentary. Fellow filmmaker Drake Doremus, who was too close with Yelchin to comfortably make the documentary himself, also remembered the late actor with some touching words. "He was one of my favorite people I ever met in my life," Doremus says. "I loved him so much, and we had such a special, life-changing experience together, so obviously I really wanted to be a part of the film and really wanted to help bring this movie to life."

Love, Antosha features interviews with dozens of Yelchin's friends and colleagues regaling their favorite memories of the late actor. This includes J. J. Abrams, Chris Pine, Jennifer Lawrence, Kristen Stewart, Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe, Zoe Saldana, Frank Langella, Ben Foster, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Simon Pegg. Amassing all of this talent to appear in the movie was also no challenge at all for Price, who says everyone was eager to be involved. "Everybody wanted to be a part of this. All people wanted to do was talk about Anton," Price explained, calling the movie a "love better to family and to cinema," the "two things Anton loved most in life."

Of course, the pain of losing Yelchin was especially felt by his parents, Viktor and Irina. The two suggested last year that they're very pleased with the documentary about his life, although it was rather difficult for them to watch. "When I saw the movie from the beginning to the end, once, [it was] exactly what we wanted to see," says Viktor of the movie. Meanwhile, finishing the doc was too painful for Irina, who made it up until the announcement of Yelchin's death before saying she "couldn't watch any further." Still, Yelchin's parents were happy with the people involved with the movie, with many thanking Vikor and Irina for letting them be a part of it. "They would say 'honored,' because everybody wants to see him alive," Irina said. Now, a year after the release of Love, Antosha, fans of the actor continue to remember Anton Yelchin as another anniversary of his birth passes us by. You can take a look at some of those touching tributes posted to Twitter below. In addition to the documentary about his life and career, we'll also always have Yelchin's memorable on-screen performances to help keep his legacy alive forever. Rest in peace. The quotes shown above come to us from Entertainment Weekly.

Source:
https://movieweb.com/anton-yelchin-31st-birthday-memorial

Celebrating Anton Yelchin With 5 of His Best Roles


March 11th would have been Anton Yelchin’s 31st birthday. The talented actor tragically died four years ago leaving heartbreak and a brilliant catalog of work in his wake. To celebrate the wonderful life of Anton Yelchin we’ve selected five of our favorite performances and the films that featured them.

Green Room
One of the best horror movies ever made, Green Room redefines the trapped room subgenre. Yelchin and his touring punk band try to escape the clutches of the neo nazis who run the hole in the wall that they made the mistake of playing. With a solid “fuck nazis” message and Patrick Stewart playing one of the most terrifying on-screen villains we’ve ever seen, Green Room is nothing short of brilliant. Yelchin gives a career-great turn as a quiet musician turned nazi-killing survivor. Joe Cole, Alia Shawkat, Imogen Poots, and Callum Turner also star in Jeremy Saulnier’s searing follow up to Blue Ruin. It will make you reconsider your plans for a road trip.

Thoroughbreds
An underrated modern gem, Thoroughbreds is a startling meditation on mental health, friendship, and murder. The indie drama follows the friendship between Anya Taylor Joy’s popular and put together Lily and Olivia Cooke’s Anna, recently diagnosed with an antisocial personality disorder. As the pair begin to plot a crime, Yelchin becomes entangled in their plans as an unusually awful character who thinks nothing of lusting after and selling weapons to teenage girls. Though it’s an unpleasant one, the role makes a radical statement on the kind of men who desire the attention of young girls. Raher than glamorize him, he’s consistently played as a creep and fool. At 90 mins, there’s no reason to miss this brilliant little crime thriller. Plus, it features one of the most effective and interesting scores of the decade.

Only Lovers Left Alive
Jim Jarmusch’s gorgeous vampire romance took the classical literary monsters and threw them into modern day Detroit. Yelchin stars alongside Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton’s bloodsucking duo Adam and Eve as Ian, the pair’s only true connection to the human world. He’s sweet, passionate for guitars, and has infinite patience for Hiddleston’s crankiness. These make him a wonderful juxtaposition to the droll pair, and the uncontrollable new addition to their undead family played by Mia Wasikowska. This beautiful entry into the vampire canon is a must watch for fans of horror, arthouse film, and Yelchin and still stands as one of Jarmusch’s best films.

Fright Night
This reboot of the classic ’80s horror was far better than it had any right to be. Much of that was due to Yelchin’s ever endearing performance as Charley. Young, cool, and living his best life, Charley seems to have it all. That is, until his new neighbor (Colin Farrell) arrives and strange things begin to happen. Yelchin makes Charley likable, and more importantly, believable. This is key when you need to convince those around you that the handsome guy who just moved in is a vampire. Though remakes often bore or feel unnecessary, Fright Night is non-stop fun, with Yelchin as its heart at the center of a brilliant cast and bonkers tone.

Star Trek
Yelchin’s performance as teenage navigator Pavel Chekov is a bright spark in the shiny but often sometimes humorless blockbuster Star Trek reboot trilogy. The bright re-imagining of Gene Rodenberry’s sci-fi series was filled with conflict and chaos. Chris Pine’s Kirk and Zachary Quinto’s Spock defy their egos to join forces against a dangerous Romulan threat. Chekov brings a heart and optimism to the ship as well. He’s one of the few voices who can cut through the massive egos aboard the USS Enterprise. Action-packed, slick, and filled with memorable moments, the modern Star Trek trilogy offers up a fun and fresh take on the series.

Source : https://nerdist.com/article/anton-yelchin-5-best-roles
by Rosie Knight

Happy 31st Birthday Anton


Today marks the 31st birthday of Anton Yelchin. Thank you everyone for the cards, support and love. Anton is truly missed. Around the world he made a positive impact in people’s lives. His legacy will last forever.

BerkReviews.com Podcast to Review Four of Anton’s Films Feb 2020


Podcaster Jon Berkenfield from BerkReviews.com (@berkreviews on IG) is dedicating his entire month of February to reviewing Anton’s movies on his podcast. They had a really complimentary one of Love, Antosha a few weeks back. All of February, they will be featuring a discussion on the following films.

Week 1 – Porto (2016)
Week 2 – Hearts in Atlantis (2001)
Week 3 – We Don’t Belong Here (2017)
Week 4 – Like Crazy (2011)

More Info at https://berkreviews.com/2020/02/01/berkreviews-com-movie-club-february-2020-love-antosha/

Anton, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers


"Anton, like many others, was a huge fan of Kobe and the Lakers. Our sympathies go to Vanessa and his children, and the additional families affected by this tragedy. From a mother’s heart to a mother’s heart...I share my deepest condolences with all of you." - Irina Yelchin

The 40 Best Horror Movies on Hulu Right Now


Odd Thomas (2014)
Beloved actor Anton Yelchin stars in this adaptation of the Dean Koontz novel of the same name, playing a fry cook with the unique ability to see the dead. When a stranger arrives in his small town and brings a mess of evil spirits with him, it’s up to Odd, his girlfriend, and the town sheriff to stop certain destruction. Always a good choice when you’re missing the dearly departed Yelchin.

By Jordan Crucchiola @jorcru
Source: https://www.vulture.com/2020/01/the-best-horror-movies-on-hulu-right-now.html

Anton Yelchin Honored with Acting Achievement Award by HCA


On January 9, 2020 at the 3rd annual Hollywood Critics Awards in Hollywood, Anton Yelchin was honored with the 2020 Hollywood Critics Association Honorary Actor Achievement Award. We would like to the thank Scott Menzel, Ashley Menzel, Nestor Bentanacor, Jazz Tancay, and everyone at the Hollywood Critics Association for recognizing Anton’s achievements and body of work. Irina and Victor Yelchin attended the ceremony along with Love, Antosha Producers Adam Gibbs and Drake Doremus, and Director Garret Price.

Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/wsy7phw

Anton Yelchin: A Beacon Of Creativity


Anton Yelchin had cystic fibrosis. I bet you didn't know that the late actor battled that condition from childhood all the way to his untimely death at 27.
It's those kinds of things that are revealed in the passionate and endearing documentary about his life, "Love, Antosha." It is here that you find out the beloved and respected actor was much more than a makeover of a classic "Star Trek" character; Anton was a beacon of creativity who challenged those around him-like Jennifer Lawrence and Kristin Stewart-to be better at what they were doing not only in front of the camera, but in life in general. He was a guy who kept a detailed diary, was a credible musician who had a band named Hammerheads (the music is featured in the film), and had just gotten a film that would have been his directorial debut green-lit before his death back on June 16, 2016.
A faulty parking brake mechanism on Yelchin's Jeep Grand Cherokee was the culprit in an accident that left the actor pinned against the front gate of his home. As friend and "Star Trek" co-star Chris Pine eloquently and maddeningly puts it, "out of all the things that could happen, this tiny space captured his final moments."
But the documentary doesn't focus on his passing, instead shining a light on the things movie fans often forget or simply don't see: the oddball nature of an actor's personality.
The documentary opens up with Yelchin, a movie lover since he could walk, recreating the illusion of James Bond with his self-made home movie, "The Phantom." The earnestness in Yelchin's eyes was apparent from an early age. You could just tell this kid was going to be something. He was the actor who filled the pages of his script with notes about the character. He took what the screenwriter gave him and used it as a spice in the dish instead of the final meal served at the table.
Yelchin was also a loving son to Irina and Viktor Yelchin (they gave him the nickname, Antosha), a pair of Russian-Jewish refugees who fled their native country in order to provide a better life for their son in the 1990s. The bulk of the movie is dedicated to the loving embrace the actor showed his mother, from emails and letters to affectionate dances. Anton's parents were professional dancers and some of the best moments is seeing son and mother dancing or just being silly. Being silly was something Anton never seemed to shed, no matter how big his Hollywood star became.
He was one of those burgeoning talents that couldn't quite get rid of the "rising star" label. That's partially due in part to his need to do indie films and embrace the organic nature of filmmaking. He found one of his best experience on the romance drama, "Like Crazy," which was an autobiographical-flavored film from Drake Doremus. He shared the screen with up and comers like Felicity Jones and Jennifer Lawrence in the 2011 film, which carried an old school vibe that Yelchin loved. It was quite different from doing voice work for "Smurfs."
I bet another thing you didn't realize before is the amount of roles Yelchin completed before his death. By the age of 27, Yelchin had starred in 69 different film/television roles, most of them independent films that stretched the mind and existed outside the box. While I loved him best in "Charlie Bartlett," Yelchin shined in underseen dramas like "Odd Thomas," "Green Room," and the wonderful "Rudderless." He really packed a lot of life and accomplishment into his time here.
It's a dedication that, according to friends like Zachary Quinto and John Cho, consumed him at times, almost sucking up all his energy. A self-made torture of sorts. It didn't help that he constantly stared down his own mortality. Cystic Fibrosis takes most people at a very young age, but the life expectancy is right around 37 years old. A disease that builds mucus up in your lungs and clogs up your digestive system, making you constantly cough and struggle to breathe, was something Yelchin always fought in the back of his mind as well as physically. To his credit, he never missed a single day of film work.
I'll admit it's hard watching this film at times. Sure, it would help if the guy wasn't so great and inventive. He never cared to step into an ivory tower due to his fame, always keeping his family and friends closer than publicity. He did things his own way, but found his life cut short by a freak accident. While the first 70 minutes of the documentary avoid the eventual bittersweet end, the final ten minutes kick you in the gut. Tearful confessions from Lawrence and others come off as authentic instead of rehearsed, like they are still trying to come to terms with the tragedy.
That's what happens when you live a full life. A legacy is left gift-wrapped for those who adored you to unravel and find nurture inside of. Anton Yelchin left too soon, but he also left so much behind to savor and remember.
Cheers to Nicolas Cage (who co-starred with Yelchin in "Dying of The Light") for providing narration in Wolverine VFX's vivid recreation of Yelchin's letters, diary, journals, and emails. They add something extra to the experience. Cheers to Irina and Viktor for allowing director Garret Price (who is friends with Doremus) to make this film the right way. If you knew of Anton, you'll love this film. It's a loving tribute to a life that felt like a slow but sure film production. If you didn't know Anton, you are in for a treat.

Author: Dan Buffa
Read the full article here: https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/entertainment-news/love-antosha-review-garret-price-documentary-anton-yelchin/63-d541930c-d584-4969-af47-e5c0fc1ade11

Hollywood Film Critics Association Awards Nominates "Love, Antosha"


We were delighted to hear that the Hollywood Critics association has nominated "Love, Antosha" in the Best Documentary Film category this year. The Hollywood Critics Association, formerly known as The Los Angeles Online Film Critics Society, will be hosting the 3rd Annual Hollywood Critic Awards at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles on January 9th, 2020. Other films nominated for Best Documentary include: American Factory, Apollo 11, Hail Satan?, and the King Maker.

“The creation and goal of this organization has always been about celebrating film while embracing diversity and elevating underrepresented voices. We believe that our mission is universal, and this is why we changed our name to be reflective of that. As we continue to push for change, we want to be part of the solution, which means slowly building a community of passionate critics who are reflective of the USA and the world as a whole,” states HCA’s Chairman, Scott Menzel.

Read more about the Hollywood Critics Association here:
https://hollywoodcriticsassociation.com/the-3rd-annual-hollywood-critics-association-nominations

Artribune Review of Provocative Beauty


The Diary of a Voyeur. The Photography of Anton Yelchin in Rome
Published November 17, 2019 in Artribune
By ‒ Anita Kwestorowska

Anton Yelchin’s photography spans the calm and contemplative landscapes of Wim Wenders and the pornochic shots of Helmut Newton. Portraits prevail. Many masks, naked bodies and enthralling gazes lead us behind the scenes into restless Hollywood nights. Anton Yelchin, who died prematurely in 2016, was known primarily as a talented Hollywood actor until recently. While working on the film sets of famous films like Star Trek and Alpha Dog, Yelchin developed another great passion - photography. Only a select few people were aware of this art form that was refined in secret during the last six years of life. Fascinated by bright lights, mirrors, masks, as well as nocturnal and alienating places, Yelchin captured, with his Leica, the secret life of Los Angeles that emerged in transgressive and abstract environments. Some of the most captivating shots are on exhibition, in the actor’s debut European exhibition, at Spazio Field at Palazzo Brancaccio in Rome. Yelchin's work has a voyeuristic quality. The artist shows a rare ability to transform intimate and transgressive stories into straightforward and candid images. Immersing the scenes in dim light and clouds of smoke, Yelchin creates extraordinary nocturnal images that capture drama, emotion and feeling. It is no coincidence that his photography recalls the autobiographical works of photographer Nan Goldin.

The Portraits
Through all of the shots, portraits prevail: a perfect mix of famous and unknown people who seem to confront the gaze of the viewer, without fear, often with confident and provocative expressions. Surprising at times is a disarming sadness, comparable to the atmospheres in the psychoanalytical paintings of Lucien Freud. Then there are many nudes, fetish objects, erotic outfits and ambiguous situations that recall the scenes created by the controversial fashion photographer Helmut Newton. It is impossible to miss the selfportraits where Anton, like the American artist Cindy Sherman, shows a particular interest in different sides of himself: looking at himself in the mirror, positioning himself to take different photos, sometimes using superimposition while playing with expressions and duplication.

Taboo and Melancholy
Yelchin's photographs realistically capture the perversions and taboos of everyday life, but in his scenes we also find solitude and melancholy. Across grotesque masks and alienating landscapes we find the references to the works of Wim Wenders, to his grand unlimited spaces contained under vast skies. " Taking photographs seems to be a means to express some kind of emotional, abstractive narrative." said Yelchin, leaving the viewer to an open interpretation of his shots arranged in sequence as if it were a film. The exhibition was organized by the Anton Yelchin Foundation. The show was curated by Clayton Calvert and Alessio de ’Navasques, and it was presented in Rome on the occasion of Videocittà, a festival conceived by Francesco Rutelli.

Marie Claire - Provocative Beauty


Article in Marie Claire, November 11, 2019
https://www.marieclaire.com/it/lifestyle/cultura/a29586115/provocative-beauty-anton-yelchin-in-mostra-a-roma-e-al-cinema

The beauty of the provocation of Anton Yelchin on exhibition in Rome
The beauty of provocation is in the cinema and in Rome with Anton Yelchin. A film full of love and a photographic exhibition full of the vitality that inspires artists like him, for those struggling with illness and disability Beauty is always provocation in this crazy world, full of pain. The vitality of Anton Yelchin, without taboo, shows precious fragments that are a reflection of that which we do not often want to show to others, showing everything from different perspectives. Looking deep inside himself while also looking from behind a mask, the actor and director of an existence interrupted too soon, leaves us breathless, like the cystic fibrosis that did not stop him from exploring the intensity of life in a few decades, that even further did not stop him from making his spiritual testament in a photographic exhibition and a movie full of love, ready to make everyone shine like diamonds, while opening up new cultural perspectives even here in Rome. Anton Yelchin died in absurd circumstances at 27, after acting in almost seventy films, while also using music and photography to explore the less light and other vibrant sides of his existence. Each photograph in Provocative Beauty, just inaugurated with its European premier in the sumptuous salons of the Spazio Field in Palazzo Brancaccio in Rome (open until 30 November 2019, 11 am-7pm, every day with free admission), reopens the historic residence of the Brancaccio princes to the visual languages of its new programming and exhibition vocation (operational in 2020).

At the same time, the documentary film Love, Antosha, screened in the Ex Caserma Guido Reni (in front of the Maxxi Museum), also enriched the second edition of the Videocittà Vision Festival 2019. The vital mission of the film, of the photo exhibition and of the book that collects many pieces in the pages of Anton Yelchin's In Case of Fire (Cash Machine / FatherSons Press / Lurker LTD / Anton Yelchin, 2019), is carried out by the Anton Yelchin Foundation, supporting the efforts and projects of artists who have to deal with disabilities and debilitating diseases, just like Anton.

Every effort of the foundation, founded after the tragic death of this child prodigy, hit by the car in the driveway of his Los Angeles home on June 19, 2016, aims to best preserve the artistic and living legacy of the young actor, photographer and musician. Dead while he was planning his first film as a director. Born Anton (Viktorovich) Yelchin, in Soviet Russia of 1989 to a pair of ice skaters of Jewish origin, raised in the city of Angels and of Hollywood dreams, taking his first role in an independent film, at nine years old. Seventy of them followed, with roles ranging from the fresh meat vendor Zack Mazursky in Alpha Dog by Nick Cassavetes, to Kyle Reese which goes back to the origin story of McG's Terminator Salvation, continuing to the unforgettable Pavel Chekov of the three movie reboot of the science fiction franchise Star Trek, even to the point of pushing JJ Abrams not to look for a replacement for his role. Love, Antosha directed by Garret Price, is touring the world and film festivals, acclaimed since the premier at the Sundance Film Festival, for the emotional and lively portrait of the young man and eclectic artist. The protagonist of letters and diaries, photographs and films, family videos of the little enchanter dancing in love with his mother, pierce the screen, along with the most heartfelt testimonies of relatives, friends, colleagues and characters in his entourage.

His parents Viktor and Irina, along with Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Simon Pegg, with Kristen Stewart and Jennifer Lawrence, J.J. Abrams and Jodie Foster, Willem Dafoe, the great Martin Landau or a narrator like Nicolas Cage (at his best). The closest and most sensitive to the face of a little angel who fought every day with the demons of a dangerous disease. Intrigued by everything he finds out about himself and others, in every spotlight and in the shadows that light up the Los Angeles underground scene and the Van Nuys sex clubs.

A perhaps less known but very important side of Anton Yelchin, the absolute protagonist, is seen in the selection of the over fifty photographs for the Italian exhibition in the halls of the Spazio Field, curated by Clayton Calvert and Alessio de’Navasques, as a tour of the complexity of his inner universe. Saturated, overexposed, out of focus, like the reflection of every spectator he welcomes.

Burned with ardor that knows no limits and even looks death in the face. Transgressive and sublime as the beauty of the ephemeral, the life that escapes, the love that does not die, like Anton’s daily odyssey that was not limited to coughing, but still could not stop him. In a similar way, it will help artists suffering from disabilities and debilitating diseases, who are supported by the association that bears Anton’s name and raises funds and awareness by spreading the light and shadow of his courageous lifestyle. To contribute, just host or share the exhibition and the film, buy the book and the photographs. This is a hymn to vitality that is good for everyone!

J.J. Abrams Celebrates Late ‘Star Trek’ Actor


Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2019/11/golden-globes-afi-fest-scorsese-kirk-douglas-j-j-abrams-1202787227

Last night I had the pleasure of moderating a screening of the fascinating and emotional documentary on the short but sweet life of actor/photographer/musician Anton Yelchin, Love, Antosha at the Blakely Theatre on the Fox lot with director Garret Price, Producer Adam Gibbs, and Yelchin’s parents Irina and Viktor who brought him to America from their native Russia when he was just a baby. Certainly Yelchin lived the American dream, making 69 film and TV appearances before a tragic freak accident took his life at just 27. This documentary contains a remarkable amount of footage from every point in his life (it seems like he was always on a camera somewhere, or behind it) and poignant interviews not only with his parents, but a sterling array of famous names who simply wanted to take part in the expertly made tribute that will, as Martin Landau says in the film, make sure no one ever forgets Anton Yelchin.

Hosting the screening designed to bring some awards attention to this very deserving movie was none other than Yelchin’s Star Trek director and producer J. J. Abrams who introduced the film. Abrams told me he was pleased to be able to do this even though he had to run back to the mixing stages right there on the Fox lot to finish up a little December movie he has called Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. He told me he was surprised to have run into Disney Studios Chairman Alan Horn earlier that day on the same lot but then said, “Oh wait, that’s right. You guys own this place now.” I told him I can’t wait to see this one, and he said ‘I can’t wait for you to see it too’. December 16th is the date of the premiere so he has just a few weeks to get in fighting shape.

However this night to which he graciously lent his name and presence was about taking a few minutes to honor his friend and Chekov, Anton aka Antosha. “I have never hated a movie more than this one. I wish I was joking. I f*cking hate it. And yet it’s a beautiful thing. I will say this, in 2008 we cast Anton to play Chekov in Star Trek. And this guy was literally translating a Russian novel between takes. I have three kids and they were very young at the time, and I remember feeling looking at the way Anton would behave with his parents, thinking I wished that one day my kids love me and my wife the way Anton loved his parents. It was a remarkable thing to behold. This guy was extraordinary. He was brilliant. He was inquisitive. He loved art, he loved making things.

He had more questions than anyone I have ever met had because he wanted to understand how things worked. He loved music. He was like the personification of life, and of passion, and he was so good at what he did that just felt this guy was unstoppable,” he said before sharing that he had actually run into Anton about five or six months before the tragic news, not knowing it would be the last moment he saw him. “I just would say to all of you here who weren’t lucky enough to get to know him in person, you get to know him a bit now. I would just say if anything about this brilliant bright light that we got to know for a while, if this movie tells us anything it is to embrace what we’ve got while we’ve got it. It is a cliché thing but nothing is more true. I will never forget that last moment running into Anton at this awful little Ventura Boulevard Sushi restaurant, and he was just picking up food to go because he wanted to go home to watch a movie which is something he loved to do. He was someone who to this day I still cannot reconcile his life force with his not being here. I adored the man.” Documentary branch members, if you have not yet seen this film which just hit number one on iTunes, see it. You won’t be sorry. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house last night.

- written by Peter Hammond

Love, Antosha at No. 1 Position on iTunes!


Exiting news today! In conjunction with the digital streaming release, Love, Antosha has reached the #1 position of viewed documentaries on Itunes! Congratulations to the director Garret Price, the producers Drake Doremus, Adam Gibbs, Jordan Krause, Lucia Wang, and all the crew who helped create this inspiring, bittersweet, and heartbreaking documentary about the life of Anton Yelchin.

Love, Antosha is now available digitally on these platforms:
Apple TV - apple.co/2Qf3xft
Prime Video TVOD - amzn.to/2O625JW
Google Play - Coming Soon
Vudu - Coming Soon
Vimeo - bit.ly/2QdkeIw
Xbox - bit.ly/36ZpoO3
Amazon - amzn.to/2qLKUoT
Target - bit.ly/2XfKFyI
Oldies.com - bit.ly/2X69kWn
Movie Zyng - bit.ly/34SMbcw

Rome Gallery Exhibit - "Provocative Beauty" by Anton Yelchin


"Provocative Beauty" by Anton Yelchin, is on exhibit through November 30th, 2019 at the Palazzo Brancaccio, Rome, Italy.

The exhibition will feature 51 of Anton’s photographs. "Provocative Beauty" will be the first exhibition in the newly renovated art space.

We received an overwhelming welcome in Rome, the capitol of the art world! Approximately 1,000 people attended on the opening night including the Mayor of Rome! The night was elegant and a great success! The event exceeded all expectations! There was also a special screening of Love, Antosha on Sunday. Thank you to everyone who attended and was involved.

Location:
Spazio Field - Palazzo Brancaccio
Via Merulana 248- 250, 00184 Rome, Italy, (formerly the Oriental Art Museum at the Palazzo Brancaccio)

9 Great Halloween Movies: Green Room


StarTrek.com contributor Cindy Massre shares her favorite horror movies with Star Trek connections, and Green Room ranks in the top 9. “Green Room successfully shows how a real word situation can devolve into a bloody, violent horror movie without become any less realistic,” the article states. “While Patrick Stewart and Anton Yelchin both have other horror credits to their names, this is easily their best in this film.” You can read the entire article here:

9 Great Horror Movies with Star Trek Ties
https://www.startrek.com/news/best-star-trek-horror-movies-candyman-hellraiser

Critics Choice Awards Announced


Among the plethora of documentaries that could have been mentioned (there’s a lot of quality here!) Love, Antosha (the documentary about Anton Yelchin) was mentioned in the 2019 Critics choice awards nominees for two categories: Best Biographical Documentary and Best First Documentary! Congratulations again to our director Garret Price who created such a beautiful ode to a special and talented person.

The winners will accept their awards honoring achievement in documentaries (TV, film, and streaming) on Sunday, November 10, at BRIC in Brooklyn, New York. Qualified Critics Choice Association members across the country voted for these nominees.

Love, Antosha in the Race for an Oscar


Scott Feinberg’s latest predictions on the race to this year’s Oscars have been published on the Hollywood Reporter. The race to the Oscars is on! And we are so exited to see that Love, Antosha is mentioned as a “Long Shot” for Best Documentary of 2019! Out of the thousands of documentaries created in 2019, to be mentioned at #25 is still such an honor… Congratulations to Garret Price and Drake Doremus and the entire Lurker Production team.

You can read the entire article here:
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/feinberg-forecast-2020-oscar-predictions-1244706/item/best-picture-1244695

Provocative Beauty Exhibit 2019 - Rome Gallery Announcement


October 26 to November 30th, 2019

We are happy to announce that from October 26- November 30th, Anton’s photographs will be on display at the Palazzo Brancaccio, Rome, Italy.

The exhibit, titled “Provocative Beauty”, will display 51 framed prints of Anton’s photography. Additional images from IN CASE OF FIRE (the photography book by Anton Yelchin) will be also be projected as a multi media display. AND the documentary film “Love, Antosha” will be screened on Sunday October 27, and shown at the museum throughout the term of the exhibit.

We are beyond thankful to Clayton Calvert and the Palazzo staff for hosting Anton’s art. The exhibit will be curated by Clayton Calvert (NYC) and Alessio de’Navasques (ROME).

Location:
Spazio Field - Palazzo Brancaccio
Via Merulana 248- 250, 00184 Rome, Italy
(formerly the Oriental Art Museum at the Palazzo Brancaccio)

"Love, Antosha" on iTunes


The powerful new documentary, Love, Antosha is now available for pre-sale on iTunes. The film will be released mid November 2019 for on-line streaming. Pre-sale your order today for $12.99 [https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/love-antosha/id1477415563]

About the Film:
From a prolific career in film and television, Anton Yelchin left an indelible legacy as an actor. Through his journals and other writings, his photography, the original music he wrote, and interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues, this film looks not just at Anton’s impressive career, but at a broader portrait of the man the world was cheated from seeing grow old.

Official Merchandise


Official merchandise of the documentary film Love, Antosha is now available! Along with being an award wining actor, Anton was a gifted musician, writer, and photographer. Original songs written by Anton Yelchin were used in the films soundtrack, and now you can have his music on vinyl or CD! T-shirts, pins, and other merchandise can be found here at our online store!

All sales generated are donated to the Anton Yelchin Foundation, a 501c3 tax exempt charity, who’s mission is to support young artists living with a disease or disability.

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