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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
James Morcan’s ANNO 2020, the novel some would prefer no-one ever reads and the feature film some would prefer no-one ever sees is now an audiobook, which no doubt some would prefer no-one ever hears!
Think you know what 2020 was all about? Think again…
Spanning 17 cities 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).
The audiobook is available courtesy of Amazon’s Audible initiative. (Listening time: 4hrs. 43mins.) To listen to a sample, click on the audiobook’s Amazon page at: https://www.amazon.com/ITEM_NAME/dp/B0DJCGCYTR/
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For those who prefer the printed word, ANNO 2020 is available as a paperback via Harvard Book Store, Barnes & Noble, Waterstones UK & Europe bookstores, Amazon and via public libraries.
For those keen to view James Morcan’s movie adaptation, ANNO 2020, also directed by James, is screening now on YouTube. Free to view, it is suitable for family viewing. Go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nr2h-AMV-c&t=344s
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.
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.
ANNO 2020 the movie has echoes of SOUND OF FREEDOM in that it addresses a subject some would prefer remain hidden. Self-appointed censors tried to ban that film. Will they try to ban this one, too?
ANNO 2020 was directed by Kiwi director James Morcan who also adapted the screenplay from his published novel of the same name.
“All roads lead back to 2020”
As this trailer for my recently completed feature film Anno 2020 alludes to, I believe the year 2020 will go down one of the most important years in all of human history. So many of our freedoms were lost in the name of a virus to “keep us safe”…Freedoms that were taken from us by supposedly altruistic politicians who avoided any meaningful consultation with the public… This circumventing of democracy has set a dangerous precedent and spiralled into numerous other injustices occurring now… For many citizens, all the intricacies of 2020 are only now being understood in hindsight, for hindsight is always 20/20…
Anno 2020 has been a 3 year book-to-film passion project for me…It started with writing a novel during 2020 to try to personally make some sense of what was happening to the significantly altered world I was observing. Then over 2021 we shot that novel’s film adaptation in 17 cities, 5 countries and 4 continents (using creative techniques to film while the world remained mostly in strict lockdown). Lastly, over 2022 and some of 2023 was the massive editing process.
As we finally now present this one-of-a-kind, epic movie to the world, I’d like to thank my incredible team around the world who made it all possible. Many of their names are in the end credits of trailer, the rest are all listed on IMDb at https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13455748/
Distribution enquiries welcomed. -James Morcan, Director-Screenwriter
“Impressive, and a beautiful reading experience, this is a very fine solo venture for the gifted James Morcan. Highly recommended.”-Grady Harp, Amazon Hall of Fame Top 50 Reviewer
Scientists, doctors and other members of our fast-growing Underground Knowledge group on Goodreads debate whether Coronavirus is a man-made lab creation and speculate on what kind of world can we expect post-COVID-19.
We invite YOU to check out the group’s Coronavirus discussion topics (below) – or better still, have YOUR say:
Our Underground Knowledge global discussion group membership recently topped 13,000 on Goodreads, making it one of the fastest-growing and most active groups on the Amazon-owned site for authors and readers.
The group has been designed to encourage debates about important and under-reported issues of our era. All you need is an inquiring mind and a desire to gain or share underground knowledge.
Everyone’s welcome. Our members include award-winning writers and journalists, whistleblowers, members and former members of the intelligence community, armed forces and law enforcement, teachers, students, doctors, scientists, historians, bloggers, conspiracy theorists and other shit-stirrers, authors, everyday readers, stay-at-home moms and more.
Everything’s up for debate. No topic is off-limits.
In 2016, USAID (The United States Agency for International Development is the United States Government agency) reported that nearly 75 percent of all new, emerging, or re-emerging diseases affecting humans at the beginning of the 21st century are zoonotic (i.e. originated in animals).
There is talk among the scientific community that in the near future, humanity may face another Spanish Flu-level pandemic (the Spanish Flu H1N1 influenza virus killed 50-100 million in 1918 and infected 500 million worldwide)…or even something more extreme that threatens humanity’s survival.
Besides the Spanish Flu, the more recent history of pandemics, including and especially the H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak in 2009, inspired our new release novel Silent Fear (which goes on sale on Halloween on October 31: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HRYTVC/ ). We worked closely with a medical laboratory scientist/microbiologist to get all the medical aspects of the virus in our novel correct. And soon discovered microbiology is a fascinating, and sometimes scary, world underneath the surface…a place where viruses form at the micro level before sometimes spreading worldwide and threatening all of us.
On the TheBlackVault.com website, in an article headed ‘USAID’s Pandemic Influenza and Other Emerging Threats (PIOET) Program‘, they mention: “Notable reminders of how vulnerable the increasingly interconnected world is to the global impact of new emergent diseases include HIV/AIDS, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, and the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus. The speed with which these diseases can emerge and spread presents serious public health, economic, and development concerns.”
The article continues, mentioning how USAID’s “Pandemic Influenza and Other Emerging Threats (PIOET) Unit supports two major lines of work: H5N1 Avian Influenza, and Emerging Pandemic Threats. H5N1 Avian Influenza: Since 2005, USAID has strengthened the capacities of more than 50 countries for monitoring the spread of H5N1 avian influenza among wild bird populations, domestic poultry, and humans, to mount a rapid and effective containment of the virus when it is found, and to help countries prepare operational capacities in the event a pandemic capable virus emerges.”
So what’s looming in the world right now, virus wise?
Deadly Bird Flu In China Evolves, Spreads To New Regions http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2017/09/07/549069924/deadly-bird-flu-in-china-evolves-spreads-to-new-regions
This article mentions:
“This past year China had the largest outbreak of a deadly bird flu since the virus was first detected in March 2013.
For the past five years, China has had annual waves of H7N9 outbreaks that peak around January and February.
During the 2017 season, the country reported nearly the same number of cases as all four previous years combined, researchers at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report Thursday. The virus cropped up in more geographic regions. And it showed signs of evolving in ways that cause concern.
As NPR reported in April, the virus has picked up mutations that make it more deadly in poultry and less susceptible to antiviral treatments. “Our research shows it can kill all the chickens in our lab within 24 hours,” virologist Guan Yi told NPR.
H7N9 isn’t your run-of-the-mill bird flu. H7N9 is “the influenza virus with the highest potential pandemic risk,” the CDC writes in the journal Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
In people, H7N9 can cause a severe form of pneumonia and progress into septic shock and multiorgan failure. “We know of only a small number of people who presented with influenza-like symptoms and then recovered without medical attention,” the World Health Organization says.
During the 2017 outbreak, the Chinese government reported 759 cases of H7N9. There were 281 deaths — about a third of those infected. By comparison in 2016 and 2015, the country reported 123 and 226 cases, respectively.”
But wait, there’s more…Oh no!
CNN: The big one is coming, and it’s going to be a flu pandemic https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2017/04/07/health/flu-pandemic-sanjay-gupta/index.html
By Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Chief Medical Correspondent
Updated 12:00 PM EDT, Thu September 14, 2017
Article Excerpts:
“Unlike seasonal flu, pandemics occur when a completely new or novel virus emerges
Gupta: Developing and deploying a pandemic flu vaccine just 24 weeks faster, would save many lives
(CNN)Experts say we are “due” for one. When it happens, they tell us, it will probably have a greater impact on humanity than anything else currently happening in the world.
And yet, like with most people, it is probably something you haven’t spent much time thinking about. After all, it is human nature to avoid being consumed by hypotheticals until they are staring us squarely in the face.
Such is the case with a highly lethal flu pandemic. And when it comes, it will affect every human alive today.
Pandemic flu is apolitical and does not discriminate between rich and poor. Geographical boundaries are meaningless, and it can circle the globe within hours. In terms of potential impact on mankind, the only thing that comes close is climate change. And, like climate change, pandemic flu is so vast, it can be challenging to wrap your head around it.
When most people hear “flu,” they typically think of seasonal flu. No doubt, seasonal flu can be deadly, especially for the very young and old, as well as those with compromised immune systems.
For most people, however, the seasonal flu virus, which mutates just a little bit every year, is not particularly severe because our immune systems have already probably seen a similar flu virus and thus know how to fight it. It’s called native immunity or protection, and almost all of us have some degree of it.
Babies are more vulnerable because they haven’t been exposed to the seasonal flu and older people because their immune systems may not be functioning as well.
Pandemic flu is a different animal, and you should understand the difference.
Panˈdemik/: pan means “all”; demic (or demographic) means “people.” It is well-named, because pandemic flu spreads easily throughout the world. Unlike seasonal flu, pandemics occur when a completely new or novel virus emerges. This sort of virus can emerge directly from animal reservoirs or be the result of a dramatic series of mutations — so-called reassortment events — in previously circulating viruses.
In either case, the result is something mankind has never seen before: a pathogen that can spread easily from person to defenseless person, our immune systems never primed to launch any sort of defense.”
In our new release novel Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes), we have created a fictional scenario inspired by this microbiology and worked closely with a scientist who guided us on our medical sub-plot. Within a murder investigation in a university for the Deaf in London, England, a deadly flu virus (H7N7) outbreak occurs, resulting in the university being quarantined from the outside world.
In the sealed-off university, we then explore in detail a chaotic virus management story where not only does the virus continue to infect more Deaf students and claim more lives, but a serial killer remains at large and terrorizes those who manage to survive the deadly virus.
And just today, in an unusual coincidence that sounds all too similar to Silent Fear, news has broken out in the last few hours that four hospital wards in the Devon, England have been forced to close due to an outbreak of the norovirus.
Wards closed as outbreak of norovirus confirmed at North Devon District Hospital http://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/wards-closed-outbreak-norovirus-confirmed-690373
13:26, 27 OCT 2017
ARTICLE EXCERPTS:
People are being asked not to visit the hospital if they have had, or been in contact with someone who has had, diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours, unless their visit is essential.
Four wards at North Devon District Hospital were forced to close due to an outbreak of the vomiting and diarrhoea bug norovirus.
Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust is asking people not to visit the hospital if they have had, or been in contact with someone who has had, diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours, unless their visit is essential.
Norovirus is a highly contagious gastro-intestinal virus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.
Following the spread of this virus in the North Devon community, there is an increase in patients being admitted to NDDH with norovirus.
There have been confirmed cases of norovirus at NDDH this week and four wards were closed to new admissions as a precautionary measure.
The Trust is asking people not to visit the hospital if they have had, or been in contact with someone who has had, diarrhoea or vomiting in the last 48 hours, unless their visit is essential.
When in hospital, people should keep their hands clean using soap and water or the gels provided, and encourage others to do the same.
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Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can infect anyone. You can get it from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.
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