International production company Stink Films has added director Jason Hehir to its roster in the U.K. and U.S. for commercials, music videos, and branded content. This is Hehir’s first commercial representation.
Hehir directed all 10 episodes of The Last Dance (ESPN/Netflix) which chronicles Michael Jordan’s incredible NBA career and the dynasty of the Chicago Bulls. The Last Dance recently won Hehir and his colleagues the primetime Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series. Hehir’s work on “Episode 7” of The Last Dance additionally earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Documentary/Nonfiction Program. The Last Dance became the most-watched documentary in ESPN history.
Hehir was born and bred in Boston and went on to graduate from Williams College. For more than a decade he has been making award-winning television and documentary films, Hehir’s documentary Andre The Giant was the most-watched film in HBO Sports history and delves into the wrestling legend’s career as well as the personal struggles he faced. Hehir has two well-known ESPN 30 For 30 documentaries, The ‘85 Bears, which was nominated for Outstanding Long-Form Documentary at the National Sports Emmys, and The Fab Five, which is among the highest-rated documentaries in the library. He also developed the HBO Sports’ acclaimed 24/7 series, producing and directing its first two installments–Mayweather/Hatton and De La Hoya/Mayweather. The latter installment earned one of six National Sports Emmys won by Hehir thus far, the others being for 30 For 30 (Outstanding Anthology), Inside The NFL (a two-time winner for Outstanding Studio Show), the 2000 Olympic Games and the 1999 Track & Field World Championships (each winning for Outstanding Live Event Turnaround).
“Jason is an extraordinary filmmaker with a true talent for storytelling,” said Blake Powell, global head of film at Stink. “His innate ability to illuminate the humanity behind iconic figures in history is powerful and profound.”
Stink founder Daniel Bergmann added, “We are excited to be associated with talent on Jason’s level and, working together, we are confident he will make a unique creative contribution to our industry.”
“I’m a huge fan of the directors and producers at Stink and I’m honored to be counted among them now,” said Hehir. “They’re ideal partners for me as I make my first foray into the advertising space. I’m very excited to begin this next chapter with such a talented and fun group of teammates.”
Hehir resides in New York City.
Review: Director James Watkins’ “Speak No Evil”
Quick. Has there ever been a horror film set in a country home with a decent cell signal?
Nope, and there's no signal at Paddy and Ciara's house, either, deep in the English countryside. Soon, that land line will be cut, too, but we're getting ahead of ourselves.
Paddy and Ciara are that fun-but-somewhat-odd British couple whom Louise and Ben, early in "Speak No Evil," meet on their idyllic Tuscan family holiday. Americans based in London, Louise and Ben are at loose ends, with both job and relationship issues. And so, when the new acquaintances write to invite them for a country weekend, they decide to go.
After all, how bad could it be?
Don't answer that. There are many such moments in the first two-thirds of "Speak No Evil," a Hollywood remake of the 2022 Danish film, here starring a deeply menacing James McAvoy. Moments where Louise and Ben, out of mere politeness and social convention, act against their instincts, which tell them something is wrong – very wrong.
Director James Watkins and especially his excellent troupe of actors, adult and children alike, do a nice job of building the tension, slowly but surely. Until all bloody hell breaks loose, of course. And then, in its third act, "Speak No Evil" becomes an entertaining but routine horror flick, with predictable results.
But for a while, it's a way more intelligent film. And the jumpy moments work — I'll confess to literally springing out of my seat when someone uneventfully turned on a power drill.
We begin in stunning Tuscany, where Louise (Mackenzie Davis, in the film's most accessible and empathetic performance) and Ben (Scoot McNairy, all nerves and insecurity) are vacationing with 11-year-old daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler). At the pool, they... Read More