3 April, 2023 Siobhan Marie Day 0 Comments 7 categories

A MEANINGFUL OR MEANINGLESS FILM…

Everything Everywhere All At Once is a 2022 American independent film written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, who produced it with Anthony and Joe Russo and Jonathan Wang; the film incorporates elements from a number of genres and film mediums, including absurdist fiction, comedy-drama, surreal comedy, science fiction, fantasy, martial arts films, immigrant narrative, and animation.Michelle Yeoh stars as Evelyn Quan Wang, a Chinese-American immigrant who, while audited by the IRS, discovers that she must connect with parallel universe versions of herself to prevent a powerful being from destroying the multiverse. The film also stars Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., and James Hong in supporting roles.

Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Written by Daniel Kwan, and Daniel Scheinert, Produced by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Mike Larocca, Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, and Jonathan Wang, Starring: Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis Photo Credit: A24

Daniel Kwan Daniel Scheinert on set filming "Everything Everywhere All at Once". Photo Credit: A24

Anthony Russo and Joe Russo attend A Conversation With The Russo Brothers during 2019 Comic-Con International at San Diego Convention Center on July 19, 2019 in San Diego, California. Photo Credit: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images

Jonathan Wang, winner of the Best Picture award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once", poses in the press room at the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Ovation Hollywood on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

Michelle Yeoh in a scene from A24 drama comedy film, "Everything Everywhere All At Once" Photo Credit: A24 (2022)

Stephanie Hsu in a scene from the film, "Everything Everywhere All At Once". Photo Credit: A24 (2022)

Ke Huy Quan in a scene from the film, "Everything Everywhere All At Once". Photo Credit: A24 (2022)

Jamie Lee Curtis in a scene from the film, "Everything Everywhere All At Once". Photo Credit: A24 (2022)

James Hong in a scene from the film, "Everything Everywhere All At Once". Photo Credit: A24 (2022)

Jenny Slate in a scene from the film, "Everything Everywhere All At Once". Photo Credit: A24 (2022)

(L to R) Harry Shum Jr and Michelle Yeoh in a scene from the film, "Everything Everywhere All At Once". Photo Credit: A24 (2022)

Kwan and Scheinert began work on the project in 2010. Production was announced in 2018, and principal photography ran from January to March 2020. The filmmakers initially sought Jackie Chan for the lead role before the script was revised to feature a female protagonist as part of a wife-husband duo. The works of Hong Kong film director Wong Kar-wai, as well as the children’s book Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and the video game Everything, served as inspiration for several scenes. The soundtrack features compositions by Son Lux, including collaborations with Mitski, David Byrne, André 3000, John Hampson, and Randy Newman. The film explores philosophical themes such as existentialism, nihilism, surrealism, and absurdism, as well as themes such as neurodivergence, depression, generational trauma, and Asian American identity.

Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for their original screenplay for 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Actor Jackie Chan visits a real estate named 'ONE53' as a spokesperson on May 3, 2022 in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province of China. Photo Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images

Wong Kar Wai attends the cocktail party before the opening ceremony of Festival de Cannes Film Week in Asia on November 12, 2019 in Hong Kong, China. Photo Credit: Anthony Kwan/Getty Images for Festival de Cannes Film Week in Asia

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble is a children's picture book written and illustrated by William Steig, and published in 1969. It won the Caldecott Medal in 1970. Plot Sylvester Duncan, a young donkey from the fictional community of Oatsdale, collects pebbles "of unusual shape and color." One day he finds a spherical red pebble that grants wishes. Immediately afterward, a lion scares Sylvester, and as a defense he wishes himself into a rock--the only thing he could think of at the moment. Unfortunately, the magic pebble falls off the rock, and Sylvester is unable to revert to his donkey form as the pebble must be in contact with the wish-maker to work. The rest of the story deals with the resulting aftermath: Sylvester's personal attempt to change back into his true self and Mr. and Mrs. Duncan's search for their only child. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Everything is a simulation game developed by artist David OReilly. It was released for the PlayStation 4 on March 21, 2017, for Microsoft Windows and macOS on April 21, 2017, and for Linux on April 28, 2017. A Nintendo Switch version of the game was released on January 10, 2019. It was released in Japan on February 13, 2020. The player takes control of various lifeforms and inanimate objects, exploring the procedurally generated world and finding new things to control. Everything features quotations from philosopher Alan Watts and has no clear goal aside from occupying more objects within the game. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Everything Everywhere All at Once (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) is the soundtrack album to the 2022 film of the same name directed by Daniels. The original score and music is composed by the band Son Lux. The album and its musical score became popular as it featured prominent musicians performing the tracks, including Mitski, David Byrne, André 3000, Randy Newman, Moses Sumney, Surrija, and yMusic. The band worked on the score and soundtrack for around three to six years, with the band members individually working on sections following Daniels' advice. The album was produced and curated simultaneously with Son Lux also producing their studio albums, Brighter Wounds (2018), the Tomorrows trilogy (2020–2021), and its reprised studio version Tomorrows Reworks (2021). In the process, more than 100 musical cues were created for the album, with 49 songs included on the final release. The soundtrack's release was preceded by two singles, "This Is a Life" featuring Mitski and Byrne on March 4, and "Fence" featuring Sumney on March 14. The album was released on March 25, 2022 by A24 Music to positive critical reception for the composition, setting, instrument blending and collaboration of renowned artists. Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

Singer Mitski Miyawaki performs on stage during the Primavera Sound Festival at Distrito Anhembi on November 5, 2022 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo Credit: Mauricio Santana/Getty Images

David Byrne, Stephanie Hsu and Son Lux performs at the 95th Annual Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images

Rapper Andre 3000 performs on stage during the 2016 ONE Musicfest at Lakewood Amphitheatre on September 10, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo Credit: Marcus Ingram/WireImage

(L-R) Nine Days band members Nick Dimichino and John Hampson perform at the City Harvest: A Mid-Winter Escape on March 5, 2013 in New York City. Photo Credit: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images

Randy Newman performs during 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at Fair Grounds Race Course on May 01, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo Credit: Erika Goldring/Getty Images

Everything Everywhere All At Once premiered at South by Southwest on March 11, 2022, and began a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 25, 2022, before a wide release by A24 on April 8. The film grossed over $141 million worldwide, becoming A24’s highest-grossing film. It garnered widespread critical acclaim and is currently estimated to be the most awarded film of all time, winning a leading seven awards out of eleven nominations at the 95th Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actress for Yeoh, Best Supporting Actor for Quan, Best Supporting Actress for Curtis, Best Director and Best Original Screenplay for Kwan and Scheinert, and Best Film Editing. It also won two Golden Globe Awards, five Critics’ Choice Awards (including Best Picture), a BAFTA Award, a record four SAG Awards (including Best Ensemble), a record seven Independent Spirit Awards (including Best Feature), and swept the four major guild awards (DGA, PGA, SAG, and WGA).

Atmosphere during the premiere of "Everything Everywhere All At Once" during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festival - Day 1 at the Paramount Theatre on March 11, 2022 in Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

Ke Huy Quan, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis, Daniel Kwan, Daniel Scheinert and Stephanie Hsu of Everything Everywhere All at Once pose for a portrait during 2022 SXSW Film Festival Portrait Studio the on March 11, 2022 in Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: Robby Klein/Contour by Getty Images

(L-R) Claudette Godfrey, Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan, Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan and Jamie Lee Curtis attend the opening night premiere of "Everything Everywhere All At Once" during the 2022 SXSW Conference and Festivals at The Paramount Theatre on March 11, 2022 in Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: Rich Fury/Getty Images for SXSW

Promotion photo for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 95th Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Photo Credit: AMPAS

British film editor Paul Rogers accepts the Oscar for Best Film Editing for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. Photo Credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Daniel Scheinert (L) and Daniel Kwan (R) accept the Oscar for Best Director for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. Photo Credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

US director Daniel Scheinert (L) and US director Daniel Kwan (R) accept the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. Photo Credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

US actress Jamie Lee Curtis (L) accepts the Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. Photo Credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

US-Vietnamese actor Ke Huy Quan accepts the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. Photo by Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Michelle Yeoh accepts the award for Actress in a Leading Role at the 95th Academy Awards in the Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Photo Credit: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Producer Jonathan Wang (C) accepts the Oscar for Best Picture for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. Photo Credit: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association 80th Golden Globe Awards, hosted by Jarrod Carmichael on NBC and Peacock January 10th, 2023 at 8 p.m./5 p.m.

The nominees for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture are: Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin Brad Pitt, Babylon Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once Eddie Redmayne, The Good Nurse Photo Credit: Golden Globe Awards Twitter

Ke Huy Quan accepts the Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. Photo Credit: Rich Polk/NBC via Getty Images

The nominees for Best Actress - Motion Picture -Musical/Comedy are: Lesley Manville, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris Margot Robbie, Babylon Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu Emma Thompson, Good Luck to You, Leo Grande Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once Photo Credit: Golden Globe Awards Twitter

Michelle Yeoh accepts the Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage at the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 10, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. Photo Credit: Rich Polk/NBC via Getty Images

28th Annual Critics' Choice Awards Promo Header

The nominees for Best Supporting Actor are: Paul Dano, The Fabelmans Brendan Gleeson, The Banshees of Inisherin Judd Hirsch, The Fabelmans Barry Keoghan, The Banshees of Inisherin Brad Pitt, Babylon Ke Huy Quan, Everything Everywhere All at Once Brian Tyree Henry, Causeway Photo Credit: Critics Choice Awards Twitter

Ke Huy Quan accepts the Best Supporting Actor award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

(L-R) Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert accept the Best Director award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

Paul Rogers poses in the press room with the award for Best Editing for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" during the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, California on January 15, 2023. Photo Credit: Michael Tran/AFP via Getty Images

The nominees for Best Original Screenplay are: - Todd Field for 'Tár' - Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert for 'Everything Everywhere All At Once' - Martin McDonagh for 'The Banshees of Inisherin' - Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner for 'The Fabelmans' - Charlotte Wells for 'Aftersun' Photo Credit: Critics Choice Awards Twitter

(L-R) Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, winners of the Best Original Screenplay award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once", pose in the press room at the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

(L-R) Shirley Kurata, Harry Shum Jr., Zak Stoltz, Ke Huy Quan, Paul Rogers, Jonathan Wang, Daniel Scheinert, Daniel Kwan, Jon Read, and Stephanie Hsu accept the Best Picture award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on January 15, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Critics Choice Association

Paul Rogers accepts the Editing Award for "Everything Everywhere All At Once" during the 2023 EE BAFTA Film Awards, held at the Royal Festival Hall on February 19, 2023 in London, England. Photo Credit: Stuart Wilson/BAFTA/Getty Images for BAFTA

Orlando Bloom and Ke Huy Quan at the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty Images

Jamie Lee Curtis accepts the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role award for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” onstage during the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Michelle Yeoh accepts the Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" during the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

(L-R) Jamie Lee Curtis, Jenny Slate, Stephanie Hsu, Tallie Medel, Brian Le, James Hong, Andy Le, Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan and Harry Shum Jr. accept the Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Ke Huy Quan accepts the Best Supporting Performance award for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” onstage during the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 04, 2023 in Santa Monica, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Stephanie Hsu accepts the Best Breakthrough Performance for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" onstage during the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 04, 2023 in Santa Monica, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Michelle Yeoh accepts the Best Lead Performance award for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” onstage during the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 04, 2023 in Santa Monica, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

(L-R) Daniel Scheinert and Dan Kwan accept the Best Director award for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” onstage during the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 04, 2023 in Santa Monica, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Paul Rogers accepts the Best Editing award for "Everything Everywhere All at Once" speaks onstage during the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 04, 2023 in Santa Monica, California. Photo Credit: Amy Sussman/Getty Images

(L-R) Daniel Scheinert, Paul Rogers, Ke Huy Quan, Timothy Headington, Jonathan Wang, Theresa Steele Page, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Dan Kwan accept the Best Feature award for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” onstage during the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards on March 04, 2023 in Santa Monica, California. Photo Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Everything Everywhere All At Once is the Featured Blog of the Month for April for obvious reasons! You can expect to read a critique of the film discussing the philosophical themes of existentialism and nihilism that features a list of the Academy Award wins for the film. You can also read a recommendation that addresses the theme of intergenerational trauma through the power of healing relationships. There is also a critical review of Everything Everywhere All At Once that you can read in the featured blog section. You can also watch an interview with Entertainment Weekly that includes cast members Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis where they discuss their genre-bending film and what the film means to them and cinema. There is also a Top Ten List to commemorate the film being a Featured Blog of the Month, and for Everything Everywhere All At Once you can check out My Top Ten Genre-Bending Movies in honor of the Daniels’ mind tripping multiverse award winning record setting film! And finally as a Featured Blog of the Month film, you can watch the Official Trailer for the 2022 film and then plan on watching Everything Everywhere All At Once tonight!