Neptune Frost
Neptune Frost is a musical science fiction film, directed by Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman. It stars Cheryl Isheja, Elvis Ngabo and Kaya Free. It follows the relationship between Neptune and Matalusa, a coltan, whose love leads a hacker collective. Ezra Miller serves as a producer, while Lin-Manuel Miranda serves as an executive producer.
| Neptune Frost | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | |
| Written by | Saul Williams |
| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Anisia Uzeyman |
| Edited by | Anisha Acharya |
| Music by | Saul Williams |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Kino Lorber |
Release dates |
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Running time | 110 minutes |
| Countries | United States Rwanda |
| Languages |
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It had its world premiere at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival in the Directors Fortnight section on July 8, 2021. It is scheduled to be released in the United States on June 3, 2022, by Kino Lorber.
Plot
The film is an Afrofuturist story set in a village in Rwanda made of computer parts, and centers on the relationship between Neptune (Elvis Ngabo and Cheryl Isheja), an intersex runaway, and Matalusa (Kaya Free), a coltan miner, whose love leads a hacker collective.[1]
Cast
- Cheryl Isheja as Neptune
- Elvis Ngabo as Neptune
- Bertrand "Kaya Free" Ninteretse as Matalusa
- Eliane Umuhire as Memory
- Dorcy Rugamba as Innocent
- Rebecca Uwamahoro as Elohel
- Trésor Niyongabo as Psychology
- Eric Ngangare "1Key" as Potolo
- Natacha Muziramakenga as Binya
- Cécile Kayirebwa as Nun
- Diogene "Atome" Ntarindwa as Priest
Production
The project was originally conceived by Saul Williams as a graphic novel and stage musical.[2] In 2018, Williams launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund the film, with Lin-Manuel Miranda joining as an executive producer.[3]
In February 2020, it was announced Ezra Miller and Stephen Hendel were set to produce the film, with principal photography commencing.[4] Production took place over the course of 27 days in Rwanda.[5]
Release
The film had its world premiere on July 8, 2021. at the Directors' Fortnight section at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival,[6] where it was a nominee for the Queer Palm.[7] It had its North American premiere in the Wavelengths program at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2021.[8][9] It also screened at the New York Film Festival on October 2, 2021.[10][11] and the 2022 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2022.[12]
In December 2021, Kino Lorber acquired distribution rights to the film.[13] It is scheduled to be released in the United States in a limited release on June 3, 2022.[14]
Reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.10/10.[15]
References
- Tambay Obenson, "‘Neptune Frost’: Saul Williams Confronts Status Quo with East African Cyber Musical". IndieWire, July 17, 2021.
- Wendy Ide, "‘Neptune Frost’: Cannes Review". Screen Daily, July 14, 2021.
- Wicks, Amanda (July 13, 2018). "Saul Williams Shares New Song, Announces Film Kickstarter Campaign: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- Day-Ramos, Dino (February 3, 2020). "Ezra Miller And Saul Williams Launch MartyrLoserKin Productions, Sets Sci-Fi Musical 'Neptune Frost' As First Project". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- Christopher Vourlias, "Saul Williams on Mad Dash to Bring His African Sci-Fi Musical ‘Neptune Frost’ to Cannes". Variety, July 16, 2021.
- Tom Grater, "‘Neptune Frost’ First Clip: Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Pic Is Produced By Ezra Miller & Lin-Manuel Miranda". Deadline Hollywood, July 11, 2021.
- Yves Lafontaine, "Les films du Festival de Cannes en lice pour la Queer Palm". Fugues, June 29, 2021.
- "Neptune Frost". Toronto International Film Festival. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- Ben Dalton, "Toronto sets TIFF Docs, Midnight Madness, Wavelengths titles for 2021". Screen Daily, August 4, 2021.
- "Neptune Frost". New York Film Festival. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- "59th New York Film Festival Main Slate Announced". New York Film Festival. August 10, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- Lang, Brent (December 9, 2021). "Sundance Unveils 2022 Feature Lineup, Including Films From Lena Dunham, Amy Poehler and Netflix's Kanye West Doc". Variety. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- Complex, Valerie (December 17, 2021). "Kino Lorber Acquires AfroFuturist Musical 'Neptune Frost' By Saul Williams And Anisia Uzeyman". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- Egan, Toussaint (May 4, 2022). "Neptune Frost's first trailer offers a glimpse at Saul Williams' boundary-pushing Afropunk sci-fi musical". Polygon. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- "Neptune Frost". Rotten Tomatoes.