Livestream Q&A with Bull Producer Ryan Zacarias and Director Annie Silverstein

UO students, faculty, staff, and the community are invited to a livestream talk with Director Annie Silverstein and Producer Ryan Zacarias. They will discuss their latest film, Bull, and share how a producer supports a director’s vision. The event will include an interactive Q&A. ***Q&A may contain strong language***

4:00 pm (PDT)   |  Thursday, May 28   |  Free and open to the community

Synopsis

The film centers around 14-year-old Kris (Amber Havard), who, after trashing her neighbor's house in a fit of youthful defiance, seems destined to follow in her mother's footsteps to the state penitentiary. To make amends, she is forced to help Abe Turner (Rob Morgan), an ex-bull rider scraping by on the Texas rodeo circuit, with errands at home and at his work. While traveling with Abe, she discovers a passion for bull riding.  Yet, as Kris sets out to learn the dangerous sport, bad influences lure her back into delinquent ways. Meanwhile, Abe struggles with the aches and pains of growing older and aging out of the only life he has ever known. Together, Kris and Abe forge an unexpected connection, helping each other see new possibilities and hope for the future before it’s too late.

2019 | 108 MINS | NR

About Ryan Zacarias

Los Angeles-based producer Ryan Zacarias has generated some of the boldest independent films in recent years. Balancing taste, logistical know-how, and productive working relationships, Zacarias has played a vital role in bringing the work of exciting filmmakers like Jonas Carpignano and Rick Alverson to the screen. Zacarias recently completed Annie Silverstein’s debut feature, Bull (2019), which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, and executive produced Give Me Liberty (2019), which premiered at Sundance. His films have garnered many awards and critical acclaim, and he is a 2020 Independent Spirit Producer’s Award nominee.

Annie Silverstein

Annie Silverstein is an award-winning filmmaker and media educator based in Austin, Texas. Her films have screened at international festivals including Cannes, SXSW, Silverdocs and on PBS Independent Lens. Before attending film school, Annie spent ten years as a youth worker and community media educator. She co-founded and served as Artistic Director at Longhouse Media, an indigenous arts organization based in Seattle. In 2014 she wrote/directed the short film, SKUNK, which won first prize at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival–Cinéfondation. Annie was named one of the “25 New Faces of Independent Film” by Filmmaker Magazine and was selected for the Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Labs for Bull, her feature debut. Bull premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in Un Certain Regard,and won the Grand Prize, Critics' Prize, and Revelation Prize for Best First Film awards at the Deauville American Film Festival. Annie is a lecturer at the University of Texas-Austin, where she earned her MFA in Film Production.