Arts & Entertainment

BAMcinemaFest 2018: 'Sorry To Bother You' Screening

Daniela Kirsch shares her exclusive red carpet coverage during the BAMcinemaFest in Brooklyn.

The BAMcinemaFest kicked off last night at the Harvey Theatre in Brooklyn with a screening of 'Sorry To Bother You' - a smart dystopian comedy about the struggles of a young African-American telemarketer who uses a 'white voice' to rise to the top of the company hierarchy only to discover the disturbing practices set in place by the CEO. The film was written and directed by American rapper Boots Riley.

The BAMcinemaFest is an annual film festival presenting up-and-coming talents and high profile new independent movies.

Photographer Daniela Kirsch was on the red carpet to capture all of the action for Patch. Take a look below!


6:00 p.m.
The press teams are sitting outside on park benches near the side door entrance of the Harvey Theatre exchanging war stories. We are two editors, a video crew and so far five photographers.

One of the photographers is in talking mode.
"They sent me to the Super Bowl, and this guy is walking around with a big white bucket on his head," he says. When you are working in the entertainment industry, nothing is out of the ordinary. "I say to him: 'They make you wear a freaking bucket?!' And someone says to me: 'Dude!! That's DJ Marshmallow!'"

6:22 p.m.
I'm inside the venue. Half of the photographers have no idea who is on the guest list and might show up on the red carpet. I hope it will be a positive surprise.


Terry Crews

6:41 p.m.
"Let's do the jump! Are you ready?" says Terry Crews and we all know what that means.
He has been jumping on the red carpet for the last couple of years. He always jumps, every single time. It's his signature move.

All right, let's do this. Terry jumps three times, making sure that every photographer gets the shot. Here is my photo of Terry Crews jumping up high.


6:44 p.m.
A girl from the staff walks by. Sorry to bother you! I need those earrings!
The main character's girlfriend, played by Tessa Thompson, wears these signature earrings with changing messages in the movie. Others read:
"Tell Homeland Security"
"You're gonna have to fight"
"Burry the rag"


Boots Riley

6:49 p.m.
Boots Riley is here. He wrote and directed 'Sorry to bother you'.
He will later say on stage:
"About a year and a few months ago, before we got the money to do this movie my electricity was off, and my kids were staying at other places, so they wouldn't have to deal with it. To make this movie happen, I dug myself deep in a hole. But the only way I've gotten stuff done in my life is by being irresponsible."


Tessa Thompson

6:53 p.m.
The leading lady Tessa Thompson.
"My bag is Thom Browne. It looks like I'm ready for business and I am ready for business!" she says.
But where are the bold message earrings?!


Steven Yeun

6:58 p.m.
Steven Yeun has a part in the movie, too.


Joshua Jackson

7:03 p.m.
Joshua Jackson rubs his eyes.
"I can't take the flashes," he says and walks off.


Armie Hammer

7:04 p.m.
Armie Hammer
"Armie! You look tall and handsome! The opposite of me!" says one of the photographers.


Lakeith Stanfield

7:06 p.m.
Lakeith Stanfield, he plays the main character Cassius "Cash."


James Schamus and Tessa Thompson

7:10 p.m.
Famous screenwriter James Schamus takes a bow.


TK Quann and Cipriana Quann

7:11 p.m.
TK Quann and Cipriana Quann.
I haven't seen you guys in a while!


7:15 p.m.
Guests at the venue.
Now, these earrings take real courage!


7:17 p.m.
Cast photo: Jermaine Fowler, Boots Riley, Terry Crews, Tessa Thompson, Steven Yeun,Omari Hardwick, Lakeith Stanfield and Armie Hammer.


Boots Riley and Tessa Thompson

7:18 p.m.
Boots Riley hugs Tessa Thompson and dances with her in around.


7:29 p.m.
"She is the star!" says Boots.


Chris Rock

7:23 p.m.
Chris Rock.
An unexpected guest. I quickly snap a photo. Chris usually avoids the red carpet.


7:32 p.m.
Today, I get to watch the movie. And you should see it, too!


Daniela Kirsch is co-founder of NameFace — a facial recognition application that can identify celebrities in photographs. Through her technical and creative expertise, Kirsch has changed the entertainment industry, and she knows more than just a thing or two about photographing A-list events.


See more exclusive red carpet coverage from Daniela Kirsch:


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