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Welcome to Morcan Books & Films, the blog devoted to providing a unique perspective and intelligent commentary on books and films. It includes commentary on our own books and films – i.e. novels and screenplays co-written by the Morcans, and feature films produced by, or in development with, Morcan Motion Pictures.
Lance & James
A short YouTube video (3mins. 53.sec.) appropriately titled “The Journey So Far” includes highlights from interstate, red-carpet cinema premieres of the multi-award-winning, new release movie, ANNO 2020, in Australia.
The contentious mystery-drama helmed by writer-director James Morcan and produced by Gil Ben-Moshe, premiered recently on YouTube and other global streaming platforms.
Spanning seventeen cities and five countries on four continents, ANNO 2020 is a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, answers and justice amidst the chaos of Anno MMXX (Year 2020).
This epic movie, filmed around the world during the Covid lockdowns of 2020-21, is suitable for family viewing and can be viewed free on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nr2h-AMV-c
Leonardo DiCaprio’s new release movie ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, helmed by Paul Thomas Anderson, draws high praise fromNew Zealand-Australian writer-director James Morcan via his new Filming Creatives podcast platform.
“One hell of a rollercoaster…it works on every level…I can’t fault it.” That’s Down Under filmmaker James Morcan’s summation of Leonardo DiCaprio’s new release movie ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER.
James, whose directorial debut movie ANNO 2020 premiered on global streaming platforms this month, says ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER really defies genre expectations.
“It’s an epic, nearly three hours long but it’s worth the investment, trust me. It also walks a fine line between intense family relationships and comedic elements in places.
James praises the movie’s director Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia, There Will Be Blood), and rates this, Anderson’s latest movie, among the best of the year.
“This surely has to be an Oscar contender.”
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The blurb for: ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER – starring DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Chase Infiniti
Bob is a washed-up revolutionary who lives in a state of stoned paranoia, surviving off-grid with his spirited and self-reliant daughter, Willa. When his evil nemesis resurfaces and Willa goes missing, the former radical scrambles to find her as both father and daughter battle the consequences of their pasts.
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Filming Creatives provides unique perspectives on creativity. Based in Sydney, Australia, it’s managed by James Morcan (writer/director/actor) & Simon Carter (cinematographer/editor).
An instrumental journey through sound and atmosphere.
Enigmatic Illusions have released the work, A Taste of Shoegaze, now streaming worldwide. The new album brings together 13 instrumental pieces that dive into hypnotic guitars, heavy layers of reverb, and dreamy elements. Short in form but rich in structure, the record offers a concentrated take on shoegaze that sounds abstract and groovy.
TRACKLIST
Odes to the Infinite
Enigmatic Horizons
Indie Melodies
The Ethereal World of Shoegaze
Ethereal Shoegaze Summer
Beyond the Horizon
Dreams in Dusk
In the Moody Forest
The Ethereal Drift Walk
The Ethereal Drift Walk (Dirty Version)
Enigmatic Horizons (Dirty Version)
Odes to the Infinite (Dirty Version)
Odes to the Infinite (Raw Version)
AN IMMERSIVE LISTEN
A Taste of Shoegaze represents different sides of the genre, from the opening haze of “Odes to the Infinite” to the electronic aspects of “Dreams in Dusk” and the atmospheric vibes of “Indie Melodies.” Alternate Dirty and Raw versions of select tracks reveal how changes in production can reform the listening experience.
The album’s short compositions act like snapshots of moods and feelings, drawing listeners into layered soundscapes that cross the line between groove and melody. Without vocals, the music speaks through texture and tone, leaving space for listeners to project their own feelings onto it.
ABOUT ENIGMATIC ILLUSIONS
Enigmatic Illusions is a creative project by experimental musician Billy Yfantis, exploring the interaction of shoegaze, ambient music, and indie rock experimentation. Following the release of The First Enigma in 2024, this new album offers a deeper exploration of hazy, psychedelic sound worlds, presented here as a fully instrumental trip.
STREAMING LINKS
A Taste of Shoegaze is available now on all streaming platforms. Listen now:
Writer-director James Morcan, who celebrated his directorial debut this month with the streaming release of his mystery-drama movie ‘Anno 2020’, announced today he is putting his father’s recently published historical adventure ‘New Zealand: A Novel’ into early development as a television drama series.
The novel soon to be adapted to a TV drama series.
New Zealand-born, Sydney-based James said he and Lance (Morcan Snr.) have already begun adapting the ‘New Zealand’ novel to a TV script.
“It’s very cinematic and I could see a movie or ideally a televised drama running through it as I was reading it,” said James who usually writes in collaboration with his father.
“The story spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by the Islander ancestors of today’s Maori people and the European explorers who followed them. From the outset the two stories are interposed. It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south.
“The novel is attracting excellent reviews and our publisher, Sterling Gate Books, announced this week the audible version is the company’s bestselling audiobook of the month.”
The prolific father-and-son writing team have already adapted several of their novels to feature film screenplays, including contemporary thrillers and other historical adventures.
Papamoa-based Lance Morcan said ‘New Zealand’ (working title) would be one of their first TV drama scripts.
“Two further novels in the ‘New Zealand Series’ have already been scoped so it’s quite conceivable the planned drama series will suit several or even multiple seasons,” said Morcan Snr.
“Initially, we will package it but will look to attach an experienced producer to head the production. It’s our intention that James will direct one or more of the episodes.”
New Zealand publisher Sterling Gate Books has announced its bestselling (fictional) audiobook this month is our historical adventure novel INTO THE AMERICAS by Lance & James Morcan. To listen to the prologue, click on:https://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story/dp/B0FDKY28ZC/
INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) is a tale of two vastly different cultures – Indigenous North American and European civilization – colliding head on.
This gritty, real-life adventure is based on one of history’s greatest wilderness survival stories. It was inspired by the diary entries of young English blacksmith John Jewitt during his time as a captive of the Mowachahts of Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805.
Listening length of this Audible Audiobook is 14hrs 2mins.
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For those who prefer the printed word, INTO THE AMERICAS is available as a paperback via Harvard Book Store, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones UK & Europe bookstores, Amazon and via public libraries.
The early reviews for ANNO 2020 show that film critics are resonating with this epic, mystery-drama, which premiered on YouTube this week.
U.S. arts critic Grady Harp writes: “(Director) James Morcan has successfully transformed his novel ANNO 2020 into a visual exploration of that moment in history – the year 2020 – when Covid-19 disrupted our lives. Spanning multiple continents and cities, this lucid insight into how we all struggled to make sense of lock downs, wearing mask, confining our communication to cell phones, facetime, and streaming is brought to life through a sensitive interplay of characters of all types, searching for meaning, physical needs, and questions about life that suddenly became of paramount significance and importance. Not only is the film well written, acted, photographed and directed, but it also proves to be a viable memory stone for that challenging year.
Other film critics have this to say about ANNO 2020:
Anno 2020 is a cinematic time capsule born from an era of uncertainty, great sadness and sleepless nights. Directed by James Morcan, this experimental film (is) a true testament to the alternative indie genre at its most ambitious… Morcan’s direction is proven to be a great undertaking… The result is a haunting yet hopeful meditation on connection, isolation, resilience and spiritual awakening. –ZoranaT-1
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The film delves into the minds of several characters whose lives are turned upside down. Each character has a journey into self-awareness, owning up to the truth about their past and present. These poignant stories will stand the test of time, enlightening future generations about what the human spirit can endure in times of adversity. –MaryAnnBernal
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This is experimental filmmaking at its best. (Anno 2020) holds a mirror to what we all experienced as a global society faced with lockdowns, mandatory vaccinations, and conspiracy theories, and looks at the challenges of staying connected during that difficult time in our lives… It’s like watching my own experience of the pandemic through the eyes of the characters. –Ashsha_Kin
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This feature film certainly does justice to its tagline… “Think you know what 2020 was all about? Think again.” Anno 2020 peels back the covers to reveal the hidden agendas of those in power in the cataclysmic year that was 2020… Having lived through the lockdowns, mandates and myriad of other COVID-related stresses of that year, as we lucky ones have, Anno 2020 is a movie we can all relate to regardless of our beliefs and convictions. Regardless of age, too. It’s suitable for family viewing. Highly recommended! –CinematicEveryman
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ANNO 2020 is billed as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, answers and justice amidst the chaos of Anno MMXX (Year 2020).
Here’s the YouTube link for any who want to view this movie, streaming now:
Think you know what 2020 was all about? Think again.
Following a successful film festival run and sellout interstate Australian cinema release in Australia, our epic mystery-drama Anno 2020, helmed by writer-director James Morcan, has its world streaming premiere on YouTube today September 13.
Here’s the link (below) for any who want to view or subscribe. Warning: this is the movie some would prefer no-one ever sees! Despite that, it is suitable for family viewing.
The movie film industry gatekeepers have tried to block.
Filming the year the world stopped…That’s the fitting headline freedom New Zealand broadcaster Reality Check Radio (RCR) has given a podcast about the mystery-drama ANNO 2020 on the eve of the movie’s global streaming premiere.
In the podcast, RCR host Paul Brennan (above left) grills New Zealand-Australian writer-director James Morcan (right) on the challenges faced in adapting his published novel to a feature film screenplay and then directing the movie during the COVID-related lockdowns of 2020.
IT’S THE MOVIE SOME WOULD PREFER NO-ONE EVER SEES!
ANNO 2020 streams on September 13 on YouTube and other platforms including Odysee, Daily Motion and Rumble.
Bravely produced by Gil Ben-Moshe, this Australian-produced mystery-drama was filmed, despite the odds, around the world during the Covid pandemic; it’s a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, answers and justice amidst the chaos of Anno MMXX (Year 2020).
For the film’s writer-director James Morcan, ANNO 2020 represents his directorial debut. James subscribes to the belief that art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable – and viewers would be advised to keep that in mind when they watch this epic movie.
Sterling Gate Books’ mystery-drama tale ANNO 2020, now a contentious feature film as well as a published novel, is New Zealand-Australian writer-director James Morcan’s latest book-to-film project.
A screenwriter and novelist, James adapted the ANNO 2020 screenplay from his novel; after sellout cinema screenings in three Australian states, the resulting feature film is now poised to celebrate its global streaming premiere on YouTube and other streaming platforms.
Readers are resonating with ANNO 2020 the novel as a visit to its Amazon pages show. Billed as “A global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, answers and justice amidst the chaos of Anno MMXX (Year 2020),” it’s gathering stellar reviews and currently enjoys a 4.5 out of 5 stars review rating.
James Morcan’s latest novel now available via Amazon as a paperback, hardcover and Kindle ebook.
U.S. arts aficionado Grady Harp writes, “Incorporating his skills developed in the cinematic field, both in acting and in screenwriting, James has created a global panoply of beautifully defined stances and characters to bring attention to the manner in which we all coped with the pandemic. His richly colorful locales include, Bali, Palestine, Brazil, Israel, Australia, China, the UK, USA, and Switzerland, and in each scene he has developed a myriad of personalities to offer as many perceptions of the pandemic and its effect on relationships as possible.”
The movie adaptation of ANNO 2020 is just one of several book-to-film projects James is associated with – as a visit to his IMDb film industry page will show… https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1909596/
Morcan novels currently in development as feature films include Silent Fear, The Heathrow Affair, Into the Americas and High Country Contract among others. Co-authored by Lance and James Morcan, these and other novels of the father-and-son writing team have been adapted to movie scripts with James directing.
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