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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
The New Zealand father-and-son writing team Lance and James Morcan, authors of some 35 published fiction and non-fiction books, today announced the likely release date for their next co-authored novel Anno 2021.
Interim cover image for Anno 2021.
An international action-thriller, its planned pre-Christmas (early December) release follows James Morcan’s successful adaptation of his first solo-authored novel, Anno 2020, to a feature film screenplay and subsequent new-release movie.
The younger Morcan, who is also an actor and director, acted in and directed the Australian-produced movie, which celebrated its world premiere at a red-carpet screening in Sydney last month.
“Anno 2020 is a mystery-drama whereas this novel (Anno 2021) is more of an action-thriller,” said Sydney-based James.
“Their common theme is that both cover the dramas experienced by individuals around the world caught up in the COVID lockdowns of those two unforgettable years, and they capture the zeitgeist of this troubled era as society gets ever more fractured.
“They are both controversial as we, the writers, don’t shy away from covering the contentious issues that divided nations during those years.
“Like the earlier novel, which was set in 17 different destinations on four continents, Anno 2021 will be truly global with a vignette of storylines and characters based in America, England, South Africa, Tahiti and New Zealand.”
Papamoa-based novelist-screenwriter Lance Morcan, who is also Story Consultant and Associate Producer on Anno 2020 the movie, said he and son James were already thinking about the screenplay adaptation of Anno 2021 while they undertook final editing of the novel.
“We are no strangers to this process,” said Lance. “We’ve adapted several of our co-authored novels to feature film screenplays and these are in early development with known and mainly American actors attached in some cases.”
As novelists, the Morcans are best known for their bestselling thrillers The Ninth Orphan and Silent Fear, and for their historical adventure novels White Spirit, Into the Americas and Fiji; their non-fiction books include Genius Intelligence, The Catcher in the Rye Enigma and Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, which have all been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists.
Their books all appear under the banner of New Zealand publisher Sterling Gate Books and are currently exclusive to Amazon.
Australian actress Erin Connor has emerged as one of the standout stars of Anno 2020, the mystery-drama feature film which celebrated its world premiere at a red-carpet screening in Sydney this month.
Erin Connor…drawn to Anno 2020.
The engaging actress, best known for her screen roles in Occupation: Rainfall, When Love Springs, Dino King 3D and The Suicide Theory, plays a depressed and highly stressed wife separated from her onscreen husband Greg Poppleton, the Sydney-based actor known for Backtrack and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
Connor has a reputation for versatility, but to call her versatile is almost doing her a disservice. Once a champion golfer, she changed careers to film and television, making her mark in feature-length films, short films, commercials, and other projects.
Those other projects include strong advocacy for animal protection and preservation – a throwback no doubt to a childhood spent growing up on a tropical fruit farm near Byron Bay, in New South Wales, surrounded by nature and having a menagerie of animals to look after.
“My mother was the daughter of one Captain Neptune Blood,” she said. “He was a prolific explorer who discovered and studied many animal and plant species, notably in the highlands of Papua New Guinea where my mother and my older sister were both born.”
Connor said she had to be part of the Anno 2020 production when the film’s Sydney-based director James Morcan and lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, approached her.
Billed as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of 2020, the movie was shot on a micro budget of US$6,000.
“Anno 2020 drew me in like a magnet,” Connor recalled. “The sheer scope of the project, combined with its unique approach, had me hooked from the get-go. That and the opportunity to collaborate during such a challenging time was simply irresistible.”
She referred to the strict COVID-related lockdowns of 2020 and the fact that the actors were usually physically isolated from each other while the movie was shot in 17 cities on four continents during that most difficult of times.
“Coping with those challenges required a lot of patience and a good dash of creativity, but the warmth and support from everyone involved made it feel like we were all right there together, on set, rather than being separated by oceans in some cases,” said Connor.
“Despite the difficulties, I loved my involvement with Anno 2020. It was such fun I don’t even know where to begin. The bonds formed, the challenges overcome, and the sheer joy of bringing my character to life combined to make it an experience I’ll treasure forever.”
Connor said the highlight for her was the incredible sense of camaraderie that was achieved on set along with the joy of collaborating with such a talented cast and crew. That said, she admitted that slapping her screen husband Poppleton in one dramatic scene was certainly a memorable moment.
As for coping with the challenges of 2020, she said she had to navigate her way, along with many others, through the ups and downs of lockdowns.
“That year (2020) was quite a rollercoaster, wasn’t it? In my case I couldn’t use my Visa to work overseas, and I found it hard not being able to see my aging parents or my siblings and close friends all the while surrounded by the fear of the unknown in such a unique time in the world.
“It really was a test of resilience, but it also brought moments of unexpected beauty and connection in the ‘small stuff’ that happened if you know what I mean.”
Connor’s commitment to Anno 2020, the movie, impressed everyone associated with it – in particular lead producer Ben-Moshe.
“Shooting remotely for the majority of her scenes was a challenge by any measure, but Erin made it look easy,” he said. “She brought much-needed energy to the role she played and the chemistry between her and her co-stars is a highlight for audiences.”
Ben-Moshe said audiences will be moved by her failed marriage to her onscreen husband Greg (Poppleton) as well as her decision to move away from his onscreen niece played by up-and-coming Australian child actress Audrey Nitschke (Wolf Like Me).
“Erin’s performance was always authentic and audiences will be riding every emotion with her as she takes them on an emotional rollercoaster. I really do look forward to working with her again.”
New Zealand-born director James Morcan, who also adapted the film’s screenplay from his published novel Anno 2020, described Connor as a very empathetic, heart-based person.
“That’s part of the reason why she’s such a brilliant actress,” he said. “Whatever scene or whatever role she plays, Erin lives it in the moment. I find her to be one of the most genuine actors in the world and was honoured to work with her.”
Morcan said Connor is not only ultra-professional but is very down to earth and a fun personality to have on a film set.
Connor said she wouldn’t hesitate to work with Anno 2020’s filmmakers again.
“James’s directing was truly something special,” she said. “To see him step into his directorial debut with such confidence and vision was inspiring. He brought out the best in all of us and created an environment where creativity could truly flourish. He is a beautiful person with a sense of calm in his leadership which I believe is the best traits for a director.”
Connor…at home on the red carpet.
In Anno 2020, Erin Connor was surrounded by an award-winning ensemble of international actors. Other cast members include American veteran actors Kevin Scott Allen (Alias, Prison Break and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Sheila Ball (A Prince and Pauper Christmas, Assault On VA-33 and By Deception), and Chinese American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers) as well as Jessica Castello (Oildale).
Connor has two upcoming movies, Piggy and Pinball, both to be shot in Melbourne. In Piggy, she will star alongside Robert Morgan (Babylon, Hacksaw Ridge) and Vince Colosimo (Underbelly, The Second); Pinball, which is still under wraps, will be helmed by award-winning writer-director Matt Holcomb.
A Melbourne cinematic screening of Anno 2020 will be held on May 6, and a Brisbane screening on June 4. Beyond these red-carpet events, the longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.
Invited guests mingled enthusiastically with cast and crew of the Australian-produced, New Zealand-helmed movie Anno 2020 at its world premiere in Sydney on Sunday.
The red-carpet event, which drew a near-capacity audience of more than 300, was a milestone for New Zealand-born James Morcan who made his directorial debut helming Anno 2020 and who adapted the screenplay from his published novel. The Sydney-based writer-director is also an actor and has a memorable acting role in the film.
Anno 2020 director James Morcan with Australian child actress Audrey Nitschke share the red carpet at the film’s world premiere.
“I was thrilled by the audience response to the movie,” said Morcan. “Keeping in mind it was shot during the strict COVID lockdowns in 2020, many people resonated with the film. It sparked a real mix of emotions – happy and sad – and it gave those who thought they knew what 2020 was all about something to ponder.”
The premiere was heralded a stellar success by the film’s lead producer, Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, Sydney.
“Guests were treated to food and drinks before the screening of the 2.5 hour movie, which was followed by a Q and A session involving the audience, cast and crew,” said Ben-Moshe.
Guests arrive for the World Premiere screening of Anno 2020 at The Ritz Cinema in Sydney.
“There was a real buzz in the cinema, and the enthusiastic applause at the end of the film showed that most resonated with its message. It clearly stirred up mixed emotions, reminding everyone present what they had experienced in the tumultuous year that was 2020.
“Film industry representatives in attendance were surprised to learn that the movie was shot in 17 cities on four continents on a micro budget of US$6,000.
“Three days later the positive messages and emails from attendees are still pouring in. It’s a gratifying reminder that the evening was a great success.”
Filmmakers (from left) lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, guest producer-director Marc Radomsky, director-producer James Morcan and producer Oren Ben-Moshe on the red carpet at the Anno 2020 world premiere.
Billed as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of 2020, Anno 2020 boasts an award-winning ensemble of international actors.
Cast members include leading Australians Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D) and Greg Poppleton (Last Days of the Space Age, Backtrack and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), American veterans Kevin Scott Allen (Alias, Prison Break and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Sheila Ball (A Prince and Pauper Christmas, Assault On VA-33 and By Deception), and Chinese American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers), as well as Jessica Castello (Oildale), and Australian child actress Audrey Nitschke (Wolf Like Me).
Next up for Anno 2020 is a Melbourne screening on May 6, and a Brisbane screening on June 4. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.
Major Instagram influencers on the red carpet at Anno 2020’s world premiere are (from left): producer Oren Ben-Moshe, Dorota Kluz, Dilek Saticieli, Gil Ben-Moshe, Vesna Angelevski, Anthanasia Sklavenitis, Mikey Gelo, Zoe Abela, Bhavinder Sanghera and Leo Sklavenitis.
As the countdown continues for the world premiere of the Australian-produced mystery-drama Anno 2020 – at a red-carpet event in Sydney on April 7 – attention turns to the film’s New Zealand-born author-director James Morcan.
James Morcan (right) with Anno 2020 producer Gil Ben-Moshe in Downtown Sydney.
The Sydney-based 45-year-old made his directorial debut helming this movie and has the distinction of not only writing the Anno 2020 script but adapting it from his published novel of the same name. He is also a screen actor, and he goes against type to play the part of an anti-Semite in an unforgettable scene opposite Jewish actor Gil Ben-Moshe, who is also the film’s lead producer.
Morcan describes Anno 2020 as a mammoth, all-consuming, creative book-to-film project he has been working on around the clock since the Covid-19 lockdowns began in early 2020. He was set to direct another feature film in Sydney when he was pulled from it when the pandemic intervened, resulting in the cancellation of the production. Undeterred, he turned his attention to Anno 2020.
“The storyline (of Anno 2020) is my attempt to make sense of, or mentally process, our strangely altered reality and everything humanity collectively endured in 2020. For the last three years I’ve devoted my life to it, from writing the novel and then the screenplay adaptation to directing the filming and finally guiding it thru post-production.”
Morcan says it’s no exaggeration to say, for him, the film was an absolute beast to direct, but he insists it was always rewarding as the quality was evident throughout the production.
“I lived every scene in my mind over the duration, visualizing how to bring to life this epic, heartfelt story in the most dramatic yet believable way. The result is a film best described as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of 2020.
“If I could summarize Anno 2020 in one word, I would say: substance. It has substance in spades and that’s what I always aim for as a storyteller. Early viewer feedback we are receiving confirms that this story makes people laugh, cry, think on a philosophical level and reflect on their own lives in new ways.”
Morcan believes it will feel extremely genuine to cinemagoers, and he primarily attributes that to some of the filmmaking techniques he and his colleagues pioneered during the film’s making.
“Keeping in mind the movie was shot during the strict lockdowns in 17 cities on four continents, we faced unique challenges. Our actors, in the main, were isolated and separated from each other as opposed to being together on set.
“Besides directing all the many Australian scenes on location, remote filming tech allowed me to direct cast members and crews in the various global locations that I couldn’t travel to due to Covid restrictions. This allowed my crew and I to film live all over the world without travelling to every single location.”
Anno 2020 boasts an award-winning ensemble of international actors. They include leading Australians Greg Poppleton (Backtrack, The Chronicles of Narnia) and Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D), as well as US veterans Kevin Scott Allen (Star Trek, Alias, Prison Break) and Chinese American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers).
“The actors were pushed to their limits as the rare performance style we employed is emotionally raw, semi-improvisational and mostly shot via close-ups courtesy of Zoom technology.
“This was not only reflective of the way many people were forced to communicate during the pandemic, but also it created a never-before-seen way to view characters interacting in movies – showing two close-ups at once. That’s something that’s never seen in regular movies apart from brief split-screen footage.
“Our video-linked conversations provide a real intimacy and dramatically contrast with the panoramic shots in the rest of the film.”
Morcan says those panoramic shots he refers to were all filmed using high-quality cinema cameras.
“Strategically recreating Zoom-style chats proved to be an asset. Our actors infused their own real-life experiences, be they traumatic or joyful, in cinema vérité fashion. That ‘real life’ injection helped evolve their characters into something even more truthful, giving this overall piece of entertainment shades of docu-drama or at least ultra-realism.
“Audiences will definitely feel these honest truths, proving the old adage what comes from the heart, goes to the heart.”
Morcan says one of the groundbreaking methods employed while shooting was to encourage ad-libbed interactions where the actors improvised much of the dialogue around preconceived situations.
“These improvised sequences facilitated a sense of immense spontaneity and realism similar to what auteur directors Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorcese did in the likes of those 1970’s classics Apocalypse Now and Taxi Driver, and more recently in Scorcese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. That approach led to very genuine interactions between actors in character.”
Anno 2020’s lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, says he believes the movie will launch Morcan’s career as a director.
“James proved to every actor involved that he understands story and what it takes to direct an ensemble that boasts Hollywood credits. I’m truly excited for him and look forward to working with him on many future projects.”
Ben-Moshe says collaborating with Morcan on Anno 2020 was confirmation for him that he has directing chops, an admirable work ethic, and the ability to get a performance out of any actor regardless of age, experience, or attitude.
“Directing is a real artform which requires an enormous amount of work, planning and having a clear vision for every scene. James worked around the clock ensuring he was prepared for every possible scenario that could arise during pre-production and primary photography.”
From Morcan’s perspective, Anno 2020 is the culmination of a two decade-long career telling stories in the creative mediums of cinema, television, and theatre – around the world and spanning various genres and historical periods. One notable acting performance was a lead role alongside Berynn Schwerdt (Wyrmwood) in the post-Apocalyptic feature film After Armageddon, which he also wrote.
Other leading roles include the OZ-Bollywood feature films My Cornerstone and Love You Krishna for which he also wrote the screenplays for. Both productions were filmed in Sydney and Mumbai, and incorporated English and Hindi languages. My Cornerstone screened in cinemas Australia-wide and in selected Indian cinemas.
Morcan also performed in Ben Hur: The Stadium Spectacular, starring Russell Crowe, before an audience of 130,000 people over two nights at Sydney’s ANZ Olympic Stadium. Other acting credits include the British TV series Dark Knight, the BBC feature Wild About Harry, and TV commercials for multinational companies like Samsung and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Another acting highlight was playing a vigilante in The Pawn, a gritty feature film set in Melbourne, Victoria, which Morcan’s production company Morcan Motion Pictures produced. The noir-style thriller premiered at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival and screened at the Imperia Film Festival in Italy.
He was also Executive producer on Desired, a New Zealand thriller directed by Amanda Phillips and starring Dwayne Cameron (#211). It was shot in Auckland and premiered at Cannes Marche du Film in France.
Morcan has also made his mark as an author. Writing in collaboration with his father Lance Morcan, he has co-authored some 35 published fiction and non-fiction books in addition to his solo-authored novel Anno 2020. Many of these have been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists.
The father-and-son writing team’s novels include the bestselling historical adventures Fiji, White Spirit and Into the Americas, and their acclaimed thrillers Silent Fear and The Orphan Trilogy. The pair are progressively adapting their novels to feature film screenplays, and several of these are in early development.
Among their most popular non-fiction titles is Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, a book that was written in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to document the historicity of the WW2 genocide.
Across film, television, theatre, and literature, Morcan says he has often covered similar themes to those of Anno 2020.
“My stories usually involve twist endings as this film has, as well as powerful, realistic characters that audiences and readers can relate to.”
Looking ahead, Morcan says his goal for the movie Anno 2020, besides commercial success, is to achieve a sense of unity.
“In an increasingly complex modern world that seems to be more and more about divisions in society, where people are all being lumped into political sides or categories and are pitted against each other, a diverse, all-inclusive film with family and community values will prove to be very timely in my opinion.
“And I am confident audiences will be surprised to see all the similarities in the different characters we follow across the many countries, cultures, religions and ethnicities we explore throughout the story.”
Anno 2020 will celebrate its world premiere at a red-carpet event at Randwick’s The Ritz Cinema, in Sydney, on April 7. Beyond that, a Melbourne screening will take place at the Lido Cinema on May 6, and a Brisbane screening at the New Farm Cinema on June 4. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.
‘Attracting Chaos’: An Old Style of Filmmaking Meets a New Breed of Director in James Morcan’s ‘Anno 2020’
Maverick first-time director, James Morcan, harkens back to the havoc of pre-blockbuster Hollywood with his ‘Altmanesque’ and unruly, ‘Anno 2020’ (2024). Rhoyce Nova sits down with the best-selling author turned auteur to discover the method to his madness.
Andre Doc Williams filming on the deserted streets of New York City during lockdown.
“Think you know what 2020 was about? Think again,” teases the tagline of Anno 2020. A mystery drama based on Morcan’s novel of the same name, Anno 2020 is set in, and was filmed during, the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns. Described as, “A global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of Anno MMXX (Year 2020),” the film features a core cast of more than a dozen performers from around the world. Spanning seventeen cities in five countries on four continents, it was shot over two years amidst international travel bans on a nano-budget of US$6000. Set to premiere at The Ritz Cinema on April 7, Anno 2020 was a Quarter-Finalist at the International British Film Festival 2023 and won the ‘Best Experimental Film’ award from the Titan International Film Festival in Sydney.
Author-Director James Morcan, also appears in ‘Anno 2020’ as the disaffected, wheelchair-bound, ‘Byron’.
New Zealand-born Morcan may be a directorial debutante but as an author, he has considerable clout. The novel upon which the film is based is the first solo-authored title from the dozens of books he has written with his father, literary polymath, Lance Morcan. Among the duo’s oeuvre are two best-selling novels, White Spirit and Into the Americas, the gripping international thriller series,The Orphan Trilogies, and the new release horror, Silent Fear, which their production company, Morcan Motion Pictures, is developing into a feature film. Also slated for production is the author’s controversial non-fiction franchise, The Underground Knowledge Series, which spawned a popular YouTube podcast and one of the largest and most lively discussion groups on Goodreads. Also an actor of note, Morcan has appeared alongside the likes of Russell Crowe. Most recently he co-starred in three highly-rated features, After Armageddon (2016), and the Oz-Bollywood productions, Love You Krishna (2013), and My Cornerstone (2019), all of which he penned. His feature films have screened at cinemas in Australia, New Zealand, India, Italy, and Cannes.
Andre Doc Williams filming during the Black Lives Matter protests in New York City.
The making of Anno 2020 is seat-of-the-pants guerrilla filming at its finest. The fact that the ambitious project was even started, let alone completed, is a triumph of collaboration and experimentation. Morcan divulges how a conglomeration of suddenly unemployed headline actors and bored, under-utilised crew members helped to piece the film together while the rest of the world sat glued to their couches in their pyjamas. “People were in lockdown, and they really wanted something to do, so we just attracted people who… were primarily more actor-producers who just wanted to join us.” Explaining how he navigated the logistical and technical challenges of filming remotely in so many locations during travel bans, Morcan says that much of the filming was facilitated organically, adding that the timing was equally as important as the technologies they used.
People just said, ‘Well, I’ve got a film crew and they’re bored in Los Angeles or… I’ve got this red camera, or we’ve got friends in China,’” says Morcan, adding, “and it just grew and grew and grew to the point where we barely recognised it, you know, from our original plans.
Promising newcomer, Jessica Castello, during filming.
As the location shoots expanded across borders, so too did the cast. In Anno 2020, a melange of instantly recognisable faces and high-profile international artists appear alongside a band of promising, lesser-known, performers. American perennials, such as Star Trek’s, Kevin Scott-Allen, Brooklyn.Blue.Sky’s, La Rivers, and consumate veteran actress, Sheila Ball, join with seasoned homegrown talents like The Chronicles of Narnia actor, Greg Poppleton and Blue Murder’s, Gil Ben-Moshe, while esteemed Chinese American actress, Crystal J. Huang, and standout newcomer, Israeli actress, Lital Luzon, are among the multicultural cohorts who round out the cast. Quizzed on how he managed to attract such a stellar line-up of performers on no budget during a lockdown, Morcan explains,
It was basically like, you know, the cooperative theatre productions of yesteryear where everyone would get a slice of the pie,” adding, “It was about making everyone a type of producer… so everyone is getting something out of it.
True to this collaborative ethos each of the lead actors and key creatives on Anno 2020 received producer credits.
Crystal J. Huang delivers a measured yet moving performance in Anno 2020.
Anno 2020, despite its setting, is not about the Covid pandemic. Instead, it follows the cast of core characters as they navigate the relationship schisms, clashing beliefs, and core internal wounds that are made manifest by the forced confinement of the lockdowns. There are no hackneyed, ‘My boyfriend and I were separated by the travel ban’ narratives here, rather, in true ‘Altmanesque-ensemble’ style, a series of distinct narrative vignettes unfold and intersect. We see an alienated mother and daughter finding their way back to each other online when the mother is diagnosed with cancer and cannot access medical treatment. We see an aging gay man seeking connection with the family who ostracised him many years earlier, and we see a formerly-young man who realises he has wasted his life when he finds himself single and loveless while staring down the barrel of middle-age during lockdown.
Jessica Castello delivers a convincing, nuanced performance in Anno 2020.
Describing himself more as an ‘author-director’ with ‘actorly’ leanings, Morcan reveals his literary roots in the dexterous handling of the complex storylines, while the empathy his acting background fosters shows in the performers’ ability to feel safe to express their vulnerability. “I think author-actor is the key background for me,” says Morcan, adding, “because my style, I guess, is very act pro-actor.” In a nod to Altman’s signature style, Morcan encouraged his actors to improvise and integrate elements of their own lived experiences in their performances. As a result, Morcan reveals that 75% of the dialogue in Anno 2020 was improvised and that, going in, he deliberately underwrote the screenplay to foster overlapping dialogue and allow for ad-libbing. As Morcan puts it,
I got to know each actor and, and I thought, this is almost docu-drama style acting that will really suit people to put in their own trauma,” adding, “I know that sounds bleak, but… that’s the conflict of drama and people, but I had to check about, ‘Are you happy to explore something that’s really happened in your life?’
The tactic led to some startlingly moving moments, like when the character of ‘Esther’, played by Lital Luzon, who is easily the breakout performer of the piece, blurts out that she deserved to be abused by her ex-partners. Morcan says, “I tend to believe that big truths like that… will resonate at a deeper level.”
Israeli actress, Lital Luzon, performs with unparalleled intensity and authenticity in Anno 2020.
Judging from the intimacy of his actors’ performances, they seem to be revelling in Morcan’s loose and free directing style.
I think the thing people forget is that writing can be done at any stage. So, there is what we know of writing, but then if you think of the equivalent of songwriting, sometimes a band would just sit there. They’re not actually physically writing. And I think it’s a similar analogy for me with the filmmaking process, in that in the editing room, we’re rewriting.
Morcan reveals that the initial edit of Anno 2020 was eight hours long and he wanted to get it down to around two and a half hours. With the final cut standing at 2:25, the film is still on the long side by current standards. In cases like this, the old writing and filmmaking adage, ‘kill your darlings’ comes to mind, but a novelist and screenwriter of Morcan’s pedigree is well aware of this. One gets the sense that he has gloriously disregarded contemporary Hollywood conventions like certain renegade directors before him. Robert Altman’s Nashville comes in at around 2:40, and Lars von Trier’s Dogville runs just shy of three hours. Bold moves like this mark Morcan as a maverick movie maker who is determined to do things his own way.
Shaun Huff and La Rivers play a couple whose values clash during the pandemic.
While the performances in Anno 2020 are, on the whole, strong, the visual stylings are raw, rough, and ready. Do not expect high production values and finessed filmic finishes. The movie looks just as it was shot, randomly and chaotically with different cameras and camera people, and a collection of Zoom videos. Perhaps the film could have benefited from greater visual integration and a more interestingly rendered zoom interface, however, over-editing would be out of place in a film tackling topics of disconnection and alienation, particularly given its Cinéma Verité ethos. In the final analysis, the unfiltered visual language of Anno 2020 actually fosters the sense of connection we feel with the characters, as when the performers are addressing each other in the zoom windows, the fourth wall is thinned, without entirely breaking. In describing the style of filmmaking he wanted for the film, Morcan says,
We had this phrase like, ‘It’s not just realism, but ultra-realism’. That’s what we were going for,” adding, “The goal was… let’s say you were watching the movie and a friend of yours just popped in and looked over your shoulder, the goal was for them to say, ‘What documentary is this?’ because it feels so lifelike, you know?
Young actress Audrey Nitschke, who plays ‘Sophie’ in Anno 2020, is a talent to watch out for.
This kind of immediacy and authenticity lies at the core of Morcan’s style of directing, which he likens to the wild and free filmmaking techniques of the pre-blockbuster era in Hollywood. “I’m a big fan of 60/70s movies before there were these massive blockbusters,” says Morcan, adding, “Then I think so much money was involved that they were basically getting directors… to sign off on the script… but then what if something amazing happens that you go, ‘Gee, I wish I could have just done this, but you’re not allowed to… and that’s a restriction not only on directors but everyone.” Morcan says, “When you free a director, you’re freeing everybody.”
Morcan’s embrace of this off-the-cuff, seat-of-the-pants, 70’s style of filmmaking, paired with his ‘author-actor’ sensibilities, mark him as a new breed of auteur to watch out for. In his words,
I’m big on the planning, but for this movie, I think it shows that there are other ways to make films and the film industry has kind of forgotten about that,” adding, “like, with that sort of preparation, you’re trying to reduce any chaos, but Anno 2020 was almost about attracting chaos, chasing it, because that’s what made it dangerous. That’s what made it lively.
RHOYCE NOVA’S RATING FOR ANNO 2020:
“INNOVATIVE
INTIMATE
BRAVE”
Rhoyce Nova is an award-winning writer, director, and film critic who is passionate about elevating stellar independent cinema.
Followers of the acclaimed Athenian composure-musician-artist-writer Vasileios (Billy) Yfantis are enchanted by his latest offering, which some have described as a remarkable album set to captivate listeners with its evocative piano compositions.
Yfantis celebrates a guest appearance at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards.
There’s no doubt Yfantis has hit the mark with Cinematic Works, Vol. III, an album one music critic says “transports listeners to a realm of ethereal beauty and emotion”. Another critic describes it as “a dreamy Journey through atmospheric piano music”.
The album marks a significant milestone in Yfantis’ illustrious career. Known for his ability to harness the power of music to paint vivid stories, he has once again delved deep into his creative wellspring to craft a collection of soul-stirring tracks that transcend the boundaries of traditional piano music.
As a successor to his previous critically acclaimed albums, Cinematic Works, Vol. III continues the artist’s exploration of atmospheric and cinematic soundscapes. Each composition is a musical narrative, carefully designed to elicit powerful emotions and imagery.
“The piano has always been my canvas for storytelling,” says Yfantis. “With Cinematic Works, Vol. III, I wanted to create a sonic journey that transports listeners to different worlds, where they can lose themselves in the magic of music.”
Listeners can expect to be spellbound by the musician’s emotive piano performance as he skilfully blends classical and contemporary influences to create a truly transcendent musical experience.
Cinematic Works, Vol. III will soon be available on all major music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, etc.
Cinematic Works, Vol. III…a dreamy Journey through atmospheric piano music.
1. Vasileios Yfantis – Cinematic Works, Vol. III (Year of Release: 2023)
2. Vasileios Yfantis – Cinematic Works, Vol. II (2022)
3. Vasileios Yfantis – Cinematic Works, Vol. I (2021)
Vasileios (Billy) Yfantis has been working on music since the late 1990s, experimenting with tape mixing and sound design. He holds two Masters Degrees in IT (Information Technology) and is a Ph.D. candidate in the University of West Attica, conducting research on e-government.
Moreover, the Greek maestro has authored books on music, business and science as well as periodically speaking about the electronic governance at scientific conferences Europe-wide.
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Treat yourself and listen to Cinematic Works, Vol. III here:
Editor’s note:Special thanks to Billy Yfantis from Lance & James Morcan, and all the cast and crew of the soon-to-be-released, mystery-drama Anno 2020, for his generosity in promoting this movie to his legion of followers. Anno 2020, directed by James and produced by Gil & Oren Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, celebrates its world premiere in Sydney on April 7.
News release, March 3, 2024: The filmmakers behind Anno 2020, an award-winning, Australian-produced, mystery-drama soon to celebrate its world premiere, count themselves lucky to have secured the services of California-based Chinese American actress Crystal J. Huang.
Crystal J. Huang…multi-talented.
In recent years, Shanghai-born Huang has emerged as an in-demand actress in major American motion pictures, starring opposite such renowned Hollywood veterans as Eric Roberts and Tom Sizemore. The multi-talented actress is currently basking in the success of her new release psychological thriller Dark Feathers, another award-winning film and one in which she also makes her directorial debut.
Huang, who is also a film producer, model, dancer, and photographer of some note, is one of an ensemble of international actors who appears in Anno 2020, an ambitious, low budget (US$6,000) movie shot on four continents at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She plays a Chinese immigrant living in Dublin, Ca., which also happens to be the place she now calls home in real life. Her screen daughter, played by Beijing-native Ruike Kuang, is on vacation in Beijing when the Covid-19 outbreak begins in early 2020.
Anno 2020’s New Zealand director James Morcan, who also acts in the film and who adapted the Anno 2020 screenplay from his published novel of the same name, says he didn’t hesitate to cast Huang to star in the production.
“Crystal was my main advisor on Chinese cultural elements. She carefully translated some of the script’s English dialogue into Mandarin for scenes in her native language,” says Morcan.
“I also gave her the freedom to improvise much of her dialogue. This helped to shape her role and mother-daughter plot into something authentically Chinese rather than reflect my Western perspective.”
Morcan says what he loves about Huang is she is not only an exceptional actress, but she is all about supporting the director and the film. “Crystal has no ego and that, combined with her remarkable talent, equals a winning formula for any actor.”
He describes the film as a multicultural kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness and answers during the wild year that was 2020.
“It’s a vignette film, a rare type of movie where there are various plots instead of just one. These are told separately, but they all intersect at the end to ultimately become part of one larger story.”
Requiring the employment of camera crews and cast around the world, Anno 2020 has an impressive lineup of actors. Other cast members include US veterans Kevin Scott Allen (Star Trek, Alias, Prison Break) and Sheila Ball (Assault on VA-33), and leading Australians Greg Poppleton (Backtrack, The Chronicles of Narnia) and Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D).
The movie has had recent success in film festivals – most notably winning the Titan International Film Festival’s ‘Best Experimental Film’ award, in Sydney last month, and Quarter-Finalist status in the Best Film category at the International British Film Festival 2023 in London. It also received an official selection for the Symbiotic Film Festival in Ukraine.
Crystal Huang says Anno 2020 will always have a special place in her heart.
“The lockdowns of 2020 had an impact on almost everyone, and for me personally it (the pandemic) was an especially depressing and stressful time in my life,” she says.
“I was separated from my daughter during that period, and then the Anno 2020 opportunity came along. It provided me with a chance to express my own feelings about family, and how to cope with long distance relationships.
“Participating in Anno 2020 was truly a career highlight for me as well as being therapeutic, and it helped me get through that very difficult period.”
Huang, whose favorite actor is Woody Allen, says Anno 2020 is reminiscent of Woody Allen’s work.
“I think it is a timely contribution and touches on various important issues facing society in this era. It has rich diversity and almost every scene feels totally realistic.”
“The film’s characters are all meaningful and unique, and James, as a first-time director, has great personal style and delivers cinematic atmosphere. I believe Anno 2020 deserves to be seen by everyone, including Chinese people.”
Huang says one of her lasting memories of the film was the day she drove to Burbank to performance an iconic bar sequence.
“I had to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles to participate in that sequence, working around the continuing lockdowns in the process. As well as preparing for my performance, I had to shoot some scenes using my own camera. Fortunately, I was able to fall back on my experience as a photographer.”
Currently, she has been super busy producing her movie Dark Feathers, which just last week premiered on the opening night of the Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival. The film received five HRIFF nominations, including Best Picture and People’s Choice Award, and won three awards, including Best Actress (Crystal J. Huang), Best Supporting actor (Michael Madsen), and Best Trailer.
“I am swamped arranging for this movie to be released in theaters. Funding limitations mean I must do almost everything myself.”
Huang says she envisions producing the prequel of Dark Feathers if the film performs and if time allows.
As for Anno 2020, she says she would definitely work with director James Morcan and crew again if the opportunity arose.
“James’s creativity in directing the movie made the storyline very believable, and his approach to shooting assembling shots from individuals (physically separated by the lockdowns) felt rather fresh.”
Morcan confirmed he would work with Huang again in a heartbeat.
“Crystal really is a director’s delight to work alongside,” he says.
Anno 2020’s lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, of Sydney-based film production company MoneyShot Productions, echoes his director’s comments.
“As a producer I need to ensure we cast people who are not only talented and professional, but who possess a positive attitude,” says Ben-Moshe who also plays a lead role in the movie.
“Throughout the entire shoot, Crystal demonstrated all these attributes. She is one of those actors who appreciate and respect other actors as well as the director. On set, Crystal’s charm and experience shone through, complimented by a truly likeable personality, and she delivered a heartwarming performance which was well received by all who have viewed the movie.”
Ben-Moshe says completion of Anno 2020, which was shot on a shoestring budget in 17 cities around the world at the height of the strict Covid-19 lockdowns, was a triumph in the face of adversity.
Beyond the movie’s official launch on April 7, interstate cinematic screenings Australia-wide are planned, followed by screenings in New Zealand and possibly the US as well. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.
Israeli actress Lital Luzon is one of an international array of actors who stars in the soon-to-be-released, award-winning, mystery-drama Anno 2020. However, the multi-talented, 37-year-old, Jewish entertainer is unique in that she also holds the rank of Senior Sergeant Major in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and has recently completed a three-month tour of duty combatting Hezbollah insurgents on the Lebanese border.
Lital Luzon…on duty with her Special Forces unit.
Luzon was one of many Israelis directly impacted by Hamas’s incursion into southern Israel from Gaza on October 7. The bloody events of that fateful day saw her called up to rejoin her IDF Army combat squad in northern Israel – her squad being the elite Oketz unit whose members work with dogs and whose responsibilities include recovering missing, captured and sometimes deceased Israelis from combat zones.
As part of the IDF’s Reserve Force, she remains on call for such emergencies.
Speaking from her home in Tel Aviv, Luzon whose two siblings (a brother and a sister) also serve as soldiers, would not provide specifics on her unit’s missions on the Lebanese border other than to say the region is a real hotspot.
“There’s more going on there than people are aware,” she confides. “Much of what’s happening is unreported or underreported.”
Haifa-born Luzon says she began her mandatory military training with the IDF as an 18-year-old.
“Eighteen was, and to this day still is, the age able-bodied Israelis must commit to military training. It’s normally a fulltime, three-year commitment for males and only two years for females unless they (females) try out for acceptance into the IDF’s Special Forces.”
She was one of 10 females who tried out for the Special Forces that year, and she was one of only three or four who qualified. It was a commitment that changed her life in innumerable ways.
“I had my heart set on a career as a professional football player,” she says. “I was a member of Israel’s champion schoolgirl’s team at the time, and we competed for the World Soccer Championship for Schools in China.”
Luzon says she realised a three-year commitment to qualifying for the Special Forces would put paid to any professional football plans. That commitment continues with her having to commit to one month’s military service every year as well as being on call for longer service in conflicts such as the present one.
“I wanted to give something back to Israel. I had, and still have, vivid memories of being afraid with the constant threat of enemy incursions and missiles hanging over us. I often witnessed the bravery of my parents and other citizens, hence my desire to give back.”
Football is but one of many talents this impressive lady happens to possess – acting, singing, acrobatics, dancing and screenwriting being among the others with acting being to the fore.
Lital Luzon…the actress.
After completing her military training, she studied acting for three years, first at Israel’s Nissan Nativ Acting Studio where she was awarded a major scholarship, and then at the Ruth Dytches Acting School where she learned the art of acting in front of a camera.
Luzon’s acting credits include numerous theatre, television, and feature film appearances, most recently her role in the Australian-produced movie Anno 2020. Helmed by New Zealand director James Morcan, Anno 2020 sees Luzon playing opposite Sydney-based actor Gil Ben-Moshe in a moving portrayal of an Israeli separated from her former Australian lover in the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020.
The film boasts an award-winning ensemble of international actors. Other cast members include leading Australians Greg Poppleton (Backtrack, The Chronicles of Narnia) and Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D), US veterans Kevin Scott Allen (Star Trek, Alias, Prison Break) and Sheila Ball (Assault on VA-33), and Shanghai-born actress Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers, Staycation).
Anno 2020 will celebrate its world premiere in Sydney on April 7. This red-carpet event follows the movie’s recent success in film festivals – most notably the Titan International Film Festival’s ‘Best Experimental Film’ award, in Sydney last month, Quarter-Finalist status in the Best Film category at the International British Film Festival 2023 in London as well as an official selection in the Symbiotic Film Festival in Ukraine.
For Ben-Moshe, who is also a lead producer of the movie, playing opposite Luzon was a highlight of his acting career.
“Every now and then you meet someone who is special and memorable for a number of reasons,” he says. “For me personally, Lital was that person. From the moment we interviewed her, it was clear to all of us that she was a great find. She added a calm on set, making the experience an absolute pleasure for everyone fortunate enough to work with her.”
Anno 2020 producer Gil Ben-Moshe…on set.
Ben-Moshe’s sentiments are echoed by the film’s Sydney-based director James Morcan.
“Casting Lital was a no-brainer,” says Morcan who made his directorial debut on Anno 2020. “She’s a generous actress who always sets out to deliver great scenes and not just a great individual performance. On set, her sweet demeanour was complemented by her professionalism and indisputable talent, and I look forward to working with her again.”
James Morcan…makes his directorial debut on Anno 2020.
The New Zealand director, who adapted the Anno 2020 screenplay from his published novel of the same name, is also an actor and he goes totally against character to play the role of a staunch anti-Semite and Holocaust denier opposite Ben-Moshe.
For Luzon, she says this movie was, for her, a wonderful, mind-blowing experience, but also quite surreal.
“I’m used to being surrounded by cast and crew members onset. However, because this was filmed at the height of the lockdowns, I was literally alone with much of my dialogue being delivered via Zoom footage. It took me out of my comfort zone. That said, James was so professional and patient. He helped me become a better actor.”
In the here and now, she is co-writing a television series about her IDF experience and is also involved in a new TV network series on how to survive the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Regarding Israel’s future, she remains hopeful amidst the turmoil.
“All Israelis want peace,” she insists. “We pray for a speedy end to the hostilities, and I personally look forward to the day when everyone in the region lives together in harmony regardless of race, religion and nationality.”
Shanghai born actress Crystal J. Huang stars in Anno 2020, an ambitious global feature film now officially in post-production after being shot on four continents at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Huang, who was raised in Shanghai but now resides in California, is one of an award-winning ensemble of international actors who feature in Anno 2020. She plays a Chinese immigrant living in the city of Dublin, in California’s East Bay region. Her screen daughter, played by Beijing-native Ruike Kuang, is on vacation in Beijing when the Covid-19 outbreak begins in early 2020.
Ruike Kuang
In dramatic scenes all too reflective of families divided during the Covid lockdowns, Huang’s character must express love for her distant daughter using remote video technology.
Anno 2020, which finished shooting last month, is considered a triumph for Sydney-based MoneyShot Productions. For lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe it represents no small victory given the travel restrictions, lockdowns and other challenges thrown up by the pandemic.
Crystal on L.A. film set of Anno 2020 (with RED Komodo 6K camera)
Adapted from a novel of the same name, Anno 2020 represents the directorial debut of Sydney-based New Zealand-born director and screenwriter James Morcan who also wrote the novel and screenplay adaptation.
Morcan, who began writing the story as soon as the lockdowns began almost two years ago, describes the story as a multicultural kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness and peace during the chaotic year that was 2020.
“We show the suffering of the Chinese people during the pandemic, including deaths of certain China-based characters,” he says. “I felt this important to display, especially as Covid-19 was first detected in the city of Wuhan, in central China’s Hubei province.”
Morcan says he did not hesitate to cast Huang to star in the production.
“Crystal was my main advisor on Chinese cultural elements. She carefully translated some of the script’s English dialogue into Mandarin for scenes in her native language.
“I also gave her the freedom to improvise much of her dialogue. This helped to shape her role and mother-daughter plot into something authentically Chinese rather than reflect my Western perspective.”
Morcan says what he loves about Huang is she is not only an exceptional actress, but she is all about supporting the director and the film.
“Crystal has no ego and that, combined with her remarkable talent, equals a winning formula for any actor.”
Huang says she called on memories of her former life in Shanghai a lot to help Morcan shape the Chinese aspects of the story. The daughter of a factory manager and doctor, she grew up performing in Shanghai theatres and hosting major events. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in China before continuing her education in the USA where she performed as a pianist and ballroom dancer and came to prominence in the San Francisco theatre scene.
Crystal with Eric Roberts
In recent years, Huang has emerged as an in-demand Chinese actress in major American motion pictures, starring opposite such renowned Hollywood veterans as Eric Roberts and Tom Sizemore.
Crystal with Tom Sizemore
Huang says her favorite film director is Woody Allen.
“Anno 2020 is reminiscent of Woody Allen’s work. I think it is a timely contribution and touches on various important issues facing society in this era. It has rich diversity and almost every scene feels truly realistic,” she says.
“The film’s characters are all meaningful and unique, and James, as a first-time director, has great personal style and delivers cinematic atmosphere.”
Huang, who is also the film’s associate producer, says, “I believe Anno 2020 deserves to be seen and known by Chinese people.”
Crystal with American actress Jessica Castello
Speaking from Sydney this week, producer Gil Ben-Moshe says it’s a huge relief that Anno 2020 is now officially in post-production with a rough first edit completed.
“The film is ambitious because it was shot in 17 cities across five countries, and our China-based camera crews filmed in the cities of Shenzhen and Beijing,” he says. “Requiring the employment of camera crews and cast around the world, it features dialogue in English, Hebrew, Mandarin and Italian.”
Film still (in Beijing) from Anno 2020
Ben-Moshe says the producers’ immediate goal for Anno 2020, which he describes as family friendly, is to earn acceptance into major film festivals later in the year.
“Our longer-term targets include a theatrical release followed by online distribution on major streaming platforms. We also hope the film will screen in China, either in festivals there or in movie theatres.”
Hi all, I have been working on this book-film creative project ever since lockdowns began in early 2020…This has been my attempt to make sense of, or mentally process, our strangely altered reality…
And I’m feelin’ blessed to be working with New York actor/rapper Andre Doc Williams who starred in and wrote the music for this promo of our film Anno 2020…
La Rivers, Shaun Huff, Dilia Corujo, Adryanna Elmendorf and Sharod Giles also star in the Rochester, NY plot.
This Rochester section is one of half a dozen plots set all over the world in this beast of a production I’m directing – and which is based on my recently published novel. As the title suggests, Anno 2020 is set during last year’s global meltdown and explores intense relationships in this chaotic and uncertain period of time.
I’m also very grateful to have other award-winning actors including Australian cast members Erin Connor (Occupation, Dino King 3D), Greg Poppleton (Narnia, Moulin Rouge), Brett Partridge (Water Rats) and Audrey Nitschke (who I highly recommend if anyone needs a child actor). Plus Americans Kevin Scott Allen, Sheila Ball and Jessica Castello, Israeli Lital Luzon and Italian Adriana Moccia.
The entire cast has been pushed to their absolute limit as the rare performance style we are employing is emotionally raw, semi-improvisational and mostly shot via close-ups…And each actor is also bravely infusing their own real-life experiences that evolve their characters into something very genuine, almost like a docu-drama.
Simon Carter is our director of photography – and inspires me every day with his ideas and enthusiasm for the story.
And my long-time Sydney-based collaborator Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, is lead producer and is also one of our main actors. And I must say it’s wonderful to work with an actor/producer who is very respectful of all involved and trusts a director’s storytelling process – so thanks for your faith in me, Gil!
We are 80% thru shooting Anno 2020 and will soon be in post. Our whole team appreciates your support!
Morcan Books & Films 