IDFA Docs for Sale: 'Ask No Questions' Acquired by VGTV (Norway) – Business Doc Europe
Toronto-based Lofty Sky Entertainment announced the sale of Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli’s investigative doc Ask No Questions to VGTV Norway for a January 2021 broadcast. The film previously sold to Alhurra for the Middle East.
'Ask No Questions' among 2020 Copper Wing winners
'Ask No Questions' is now a Copper Wing winner, with directors Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli nabbing Best World Cinema Documentary at the annual awards handed out in Phoenix, Arizona.
'Ask No Questions' wins World Cinema Best Picture Award at Phoenix Film Festival – PFF
Canadian documentary feature 'Ask No Questions' took home the Copper Wing Award for the Best World Cinema Feature Film at the Phoenix Film Festival tonight. After four showings at the Harkins Theatres in Scottsdale, PFF2020 organizers said audiences had "nothing but amazing things about this film all week long."
Documentary Review: Ask No Questions (2020) – Asian Movie Pulse
Asian Movie Pulse raves in a recent review of Ask No Questions: “Consistently intriguing. A fascinating deep dive into the power that a corrupt government can have in changing the historical narrative to suit its own agenda.”
'Ask No Questions' streams in Canada this weekend via first Ontario International Film Festival
'Ask No Questions' will be available for a digital film festival screening experience beginning this Friday, Oct. 16, at 9 PM ET and extending through the weekend for residents in Canada.
As the global pandemic interrupted the festival run for Ask No Questions after its January premiere in Park City at Slamdance, this is the first opportunity for a home audience in Canada to screen the film as part of a festival. The documentary feature is appearing as part of the festival competition.
WeChat Threatens Free Speech – The Wall Street Journal
'Ask No Questions' producer and co-director Jason Loftus explains the pressure he faced from Beijing while making his new investigative documentary feature and the role played by Chinese social media companies now under the spotlight in the US.
'Ask No Questions' vies for Grand Prix Golden Castle in Poznań
"Ask No Questions" is among the 13 documentary features in competition for this year's Grand Prix Golden Castle in Poznań!
The International Documentary Film Festival OFF CINEMA begins today with the first screening of Ask No Questions taking place at the Grand Hall of the Zamek Culture Centre. "Ask No Questions" is being presented in OFF CINEMA'S "THE TRUTH WILL SET US FREE" block, paired with Shoko Hara's short film, "Just a Guy" (Germany, 2020), which appeared in competition at Krakow Film Festival earlier this year.
'Ask No Questions' tops This Week's Film Reviews – AfroToronto
At the top of a recent This Week's Film Reviews for AfroToronto was Ask No Questions: "The research done by the filmmakers is most impressive...If the Chinese can do this to their own people, one can only shudder in horror to think what they would do to their enemies."
CBC Ottawa Morning: 'Ask No Questions' a Small Screen Pick – CBC Radio - Ottawa Morning
CBC Ottawa Morning film critic Tom McSorley names 'Ask No Questions' a "small screen pick" as it hits Amazon Prime free to stream for all Prime subscribers. He describes the film as "riveting and revealing", "a fascinating look at the idea of conspiracy, of 'fake news'", and "a penetrating study of how power structures operate in China and how dangerous asking questions can actually be."
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CBC Ottawa Morning with Robyn Resnahan – review of ‘Ask No Questions’
October 1, 2020
ROBYN: Okay, you also have two small screen picks for us. Can you take us through those?
TOM: Sure. ‘Ask No Questions’ is a documentary by Toronto filmmaker Jason Loftus. And it’s about the possible Chinese government hoax in January 2001 to discredit the rising Falun Gong movement. The filmmaker probes whether or not self-immolation of seven [purported] Falun Gong followers in Tiananmen Square at that time was actually orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party. In his process of investigation, he reviews footage shot by CNN reporters on-site at the time as well as the state TV reports and surveillance footage. It’s riveting and revealing about what actually happened and what may have been fabricated. So it’s a fascinating look at the idea of a conspiracy, of “fake news” as it were. It’s a penetrating study of how power structures operate in China and how dangerous asking questions can actually be. A very cogent and timely documentary.
…
ROBYN: That’s Tom McSorley. He’s Ottawa Morning’s film critic. Petit Pays opens tonight at the ByTowne. Ask No Questions is available on Amazon Prime, and The Comey Rule is on Crave.
Hear the review, beginning at 3:11 here: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-100/clip/15800883
Documentary Film 'Ask No Questions' Reveals the Dangerous Nature of Fake News in China – Newsmax Television
Filmmaker Jason Loftus joined host Rob Schmitt on American Agenda to discuss his new documentary Ask No Questions and the threats he faced investigating Chinese misinformation.
Filmmaker Q&A at the Loudoun Arts Film Festival
Filmmaker Jason Loftus speaks with Wendy Keeling of the Loudoun Arts Film Festival about his feature documentary Ask No Questions, a selection at this year's festival. Check out the Q&A here!
'Ask No Questions' to appear in three US film festivals this week
Ask No Questions is coming to a theater or digital presentation near you. Check us out at the following film festivals this week: Montana International Film Festival, Orlando International Film Festival, and Loudoun Arts Film Festival (DC area, Maryland and Virginia). A shout out as well to DocuWest which selected our film and had been scheduled to take place in Denver during this time but was cancelled due to the pandemic. Please continue to watch for a festival screening in your area and visit geni.us/Ask-No-Questions to find where you can watch the film now.
INTERVIEW: MMR Speaks with 'Ask No Questions' Director Jason Loftus – Matt's Movie Reviews (Australia)
Director Jason Loftus joins Matthew Pejkovic of Matt's Movie Reviews to talk about his documentary Ask No Questions, his first suspicions about the 2001 Tiananmen Square self-immolation incident, the dangers of taking on the Chinese Communist Party, how "fake news" has blossomed in the West, and much more!
INTERVIEW with the directors of the explosive investigative doc 'Ask No Questions' – Screen Magazine
Screen Magazine’s Joanna Kay talks with directors Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli about their explosive, investigative documentary Ask No Questions. The film looks at an extreme case of state propaganda in China and a former state TV insider who refused to follow the party line.
INTERVIEW with Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli of 'Ask No Questions' – Battleship Pretension (Podcast)
Tyler Smith goes in-depth on China, objectivity, and the filmmaking process with Ask No Questions directors Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli. Hear the full interview on the latest Battleship Pretension podcast.
REVIEW: ‘Ask No Questions’ Shows Horrors Of Communist China; Hollywood, LeBron James Should Take Notice – Daily Wire
Hollywood stars have little to say about China, and for very good reason.
The film industry relies on the Communist nation to bolster its box office fortunes. At a time when expensive, IP-driven properties aren’t a sure thing, that matters... All of the above makes watching “Ask No Questions” infuriating.
REVIEW: Ask No Questions: Fighting Fire with Fire – Battleship Pretension
It is the humanity of the filmmakers and their obvious exasperation at the audacity of the Chinese government that makes the film work as well as it does.
'Ask No Questions' Documentary Exposes Fake News – Film Threat Podcast
Chinese officials arrest, detain and brainwash a former TV insider who believes a fiery public suicide was staged for political reasons. Co-Directors Eric Pedicelli and Jason Loftus investigate how fake news is created.
'Ask No Questions' a Google Play "Top Documentary"
Canadian documentary feature 'Ask No Questions' is now listed as a "Top Documentary" on the Google Play platform. It has also been a featured New Release on YouTube Movies.
REVIEW: 'Ask No Questions' – The Documentary Actors (and LeBron James) Must Watch – Hollywood in Toto
The documentary from directors Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli examines a critical event in modern Chinese history...It’s a peek at an authoritarian regime’s surreal approach to keeping its preferred narrative in line. It’s also a portrait of a man with an infinite supply of courage.
Western filmmaker probes Chinese propaganda, feels long reach of regime censors – Just the News
Hollywood stars routinely look the other way as Chinese film censors slice, dice and sometimes block U.S. films from their theaters, even titles with no ties to Chinese government or culture.
Director Jason Loftus knew this but forged ahead with his own film criticizing China’s propaganda efforts, and he says he paid a financial price for it.
When you ask no questions... – Fern TV
Ask No Questions has come in a timely fashion especially during this pandemic. This film will make you analyze the information that is being fed to you... Learning what had happened to Chen Ruichang who was an insider for Guandong TV is unbelievable.
'Ask No Questions' a "Top Documentary" on Apple TV – Apple TV
The new documentary feature 'Ask No Questions,' which premiered January at Slamdance is now listed as a "Top Documentary" on Apple TV. The film is also featured in Apple's "New & Noteworthy" section and was named a "Standout Discovery" on the platform. It is being distributed by 1091 Pictures.
'Ask No Questions' named a "Standout Discovery" on Apple TV
"Ask No Questions" was released on Apple TV on June 30 and already the film has been listed among Apple TV's "Standout Discoveries." It is available in North America on all major online streaming platforms and is being distributed by 1091. You can find the film here: geni.us/Ask-No-Questions.
'Ask No Questions' Among New Movies to Watch This Weekend – VARIETY
Where to Find It: Available on Amazon and other video-on-demand platforms
A Chinese state TV insider is held in a facility until he accepts the official narrative of a public suicide and lets go of his beliefs in a government conspiracy.
New Movies to Stream This Week – The Washington Post
“Ask No Questions” is a documentary about the apparent public self-immolation of several Falun Gong practitioners in 2001, and inconsistencies in the Chinese government’s official account of the incident. Film Threat calls the movie “wildly intriguing and entertaining.”
Review: 'Ask No Questions' balances personal story with true crime deconstruction – Films Gone Wild
At once both extremely personal and universal, this documentary reflects all the best qualities of true crime and documentary...a sort of cinematic Serial...I found myself extremely engrossed.
Documentary Preview: “Ask No Questions” finds the ultimate case of “fake news” – Rogers Movie Nation
A staged Chinese stunt? A cover-up?
This one has me intrigued.
Uncovering China's Perfect Lie – China Uncensored
Host Chris Chappell goes in-depth with 'Ask No Questions' director Jason Loftus in this interview on the China-focused YouTube channel with over 1.3 million subscribers, China Uncensored.
'Ask No Questions' director Jason Loftus on VR's prospects for saving the film industry – IndieWire
Loftus knows the technology has yet to cross over to a general festival crowd. “There isn’t a built-in audience for this,” he said. “Because it’s a new experiment in the film space, a lot of people don’t have the headsets. So you’re out there in the Discord chat rooms saying, ‘Hey guys, come to my movie!’” However, he added, it beat the alternative that many festivals have offered as they try out online solutions: “It was reminiscent of being at a festival screening. It gave us that kind of feeling. You don’t get that when you throw the film up online and have a Zoom chat.”
‘Ask No Questions’ now at KFF Market at 60th Krakow Film Festival
The riveting documentary feature Ask No Questions is part of the KFF Market at the 60th Krakow Film Festival, now underway in Poland. Accredited industry pass holders can screen the film in the KFF Market video library through June 7.
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‘Ask No Questions’ now at KFF Market at 60th Krakow Film Festival
May 31, 2020, TORONTO–The riveting documentary feature Ask No Questions is part of the KFF Market at the 60th Krakow Film Festival, now underway in Poland. Accredited industry pass holders can screen the film in the KFF Market video library from May 31 to June 7.
The film, which premiered in competition at Slamdance this year, tells the story of a former Chinese state TV insider who is held in a brainwashing camp and forced to accept the state narrative on a fiery public suicide he believes was a government plot.
Ask No Questions is one of three Canadian feature films now available in the online market. The others are Wandering, a Rohingya Story (2020) directed by Mélanie Carrier and Olivier Higgins, and the US-Canadian feature Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band (2019), directed by Daniel Roher. Both of those films are also documentaries.
The 60th Krakow Film Festival moved to an online festival in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The festival’s KFF Market includes a wider selection of films but because it is viewable only to accredited industry professionals it does not affect premiere status.
Krakow Film Festival is one of the oldest events in the world dedicated to documentary, animated, and short feature films.
1091 Nabs 'Ask No Questions' Docu – DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD
The doc, which premiered at this year’s Slamdance, examines the captivating story of a Chinese state TV insider who is held and forced to accept the state line on a fiery public suicide he believes was a government plot. Evidence is credibly presented, shocking, and thorough, and the investigation leads into allegations of nefarious activity at a governmental scale.
1091 acquires 'Ask No Questions', sets release for June 30 – Yahoo! News
1091 has acquired rights to Ask No Questions, a journalistic true-crime documentary from Lofty Sky Pictures as well as filmmakers Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli. It slated to be released across all digital platforms throughout North America beginning on June 30.
Official Trailer for 'Ask No Questions' Doc About Authoritarian Control – FirstShowing.Net
"They forced me to sit in front of a TV for eight hours a day." 1091 Media has released an official trailer for a compelling documentary titled Ask No Questions, an inside look at the way China's media participates in the government's authoritarian control. It just premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival earlier this year, and will be available to watch on VOD this June. A Slamdance programmer stated, "I have been mesmerized since I happened upon this. As close to Black Mirror as you'll find in non-fiction, it is a topical, necessary and important film."
REVIEW: A VR Movie House Experience of 'Ask No Questions' – SF Weekly
The film is particularly relevant now, as Americans wonder whether to trust official reports on the coronavirus pandemic — whether they come from the White House or the Chinese government. Ask No Questions serves as a cautionary tale about how hard it can be to come to the truth, especially when powerful central governments have an interest in the way the public perceives a given event.
VR Movie House: Ask No Questions (2020) – The Roxie Theater (San Francisco)
Experience the gripping feature documentary “Ask No Questions” in a special virtual reality theatrical screening and filmmaker Q&A. The team behind the film, which premiered to rave reviews at the Slamdance Film Festival in January, is responding to the global shelter-in-place by bringing its film to audiences in a virtual world, while raising funds for the Roxie!
An Interview with the Filmmakers Behind ASK NO QUESTIONS – Salt Lake Dirt
One of the standouts at this year's Slamdance Film Festival was the documentary Ask No Questions. We were fortunate enough to interview the filmmakers Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli.
Slamdance Documentary 'Ask No Questions' Moves Festival Run to Bigscreen VR – VR Focus
If you own an Oculus Quest or Go headset then hopefully you spent some of last week enjoying Tribeca Immersive’s Cinema360 programme which had 15 short films to enjoy. Tomorrow that trend continues as Bigscreen will play film festival host to documentary Ask No Questions.
The Roxie Theater Experiments with VR Screening of 'Ask No Questions' – SF Weekly
On April 28, the Roxie Virtual Cinema brings another unique opportunity to its audience with a virtual reality presentation of the 2020 documentary Ask No Questions. Presented by Lofty Sky Pictures, with support from SF DocFest, proceeds from the event go to the Roxie.
'Ask No Questions' part of effort to 'stream a movie, help a local theater' – Beyond Chron
This acclaimed... documentary concerns a former Chinese State TV insider being brainwashed to accept a government cover-up.
'Ask No Questions Film Moves Festival to Virtual Reality – Nerd News Social
With the recent shut in from Shelter In Place, and Stay At Home orders in place, everyone is trying to be good humans, and not doom their communities, and country. It’s hard to believe that our world will still be the same when we get out of this pandemic.
Riveting Documentary Feature 'Ask No Questions' Moves Festival Run Into Virtual Reality – OrcaSound
Independent filmmakers are known for innovatively thinking outside the box to promote their films. The team behind the gripping feature documentary “Ask No Questions” is offering audiences a chance to enjoy the theatrical experience of viewing a film — in a virtual reality cinema screening.
A Film Festival Screening In VR? ‘Ask No Questions’ Documentary Is Trying It, And Here’s How It Will Look – DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD
The filmmakers behind this year’s Slamdance documentary Ask No Questions saw their film’s festival run waylaid this spring by the industry’s coronavirus shutdown. Now they are teaming with San Francisco’s DocFest, where the pic was headed next, in an effort bring the fest screening experience to audiences in their homes.
Here's How 'Ask No Questions' VR Screening Will Look – Yahoo! Entertainment
The idea is an interesting one: Beginning April 28, Lofty Sky Pictures will screen Ask No Questions, a 2D film, in a 3D virtual theatrical environment dubbed VR Movie House, with each of the four showings to be followed by filmmaker Q&As.
Ask No Questions Tries Film Festival-Style Screening in VR – IMDb.com
A Film Festival Screening In Vr? It’s the latest effort from the indie film industry to survive in a world suddenly without access to its lifeblood: festivals like the shuttered SXSW and Tribeca and specialty theaters nationwide.
Ask No Questions Gets Support from Ai Weiwei
China's most notorious artist says Ask No Questions has important role to play exposing darkness in China.
Phoenix Film Festival Screening of 'Ask No Questions' Postponed Due to Coronavirus
Due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus, the 2020 Phoenix Film Festival is being postponed and along with it the screening of 'Ask No Questions.' The festival looks forward to playing on new dates in the future, and we look forward to sharing our film with audiences in Phoenix. Stay tuned, and stay safe!
'Ask No Questions' Available at Agora Doc Market at 22nd Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
Following the very hard decision to suspend all onsite activities of the 22nd TDF/Agora Doc Market organizers are moving ahead with an online version. 'Ask No Questions' will be available to screen for accredited industry and press delegates to the Agora Doc Market beginning March 7.
Tickets Now Available for 'Ask No Questions' at PFF – Phoenix Film Festival
Tickets are now available with three showings on opening weekend! Looking forward to seeing you at Arizona's largest film festival.
Slamdance Film Fest 2020: The Docs That Stood Out – eFilmcCritic
Rotten Tomatoes-certified critic Eric Childress at eFilmCritic lists Ask No Questions among the "docs that stood out" at Slamdance saying "There is more to the story than one could even imagine...a compelling mystery [with a] human face."
Interview - Ask No Questions – "One Week Only" Podcast
"Ask No Questions" is a gripping documentary investigation into a suspicious public suicide in China and the subsequent government persecution of the Falun Gong religious movement.
Documentary ‘Ask No Questions’ Exposes China’s Propaganda Against Falun Gong – Vision Times
Ask No Questions is a documentary that was screened at the Slamdance Film Festival last month. Directed by Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli, the documentary shows the dark side of the Chinese government and how they run a vicious propaganda campaign to discredit the spiritual practice of Falun Gong.
Spoiler-free review of Ask No Questions – Mrdeathbreath (YouTube)
"Fantastic film. 10/10. A must see!" This short (2+ min) spoiler-free review shows how audiences are reacting to Ask No Questions following its premiere in Park City in late January.
Slamdance Documentary Asks Questions About Chinese Government Oppression – KPCW
There are film-makers on every corner in Park City this week—including some from the Slamdance Film Festival, playing at the Treasure Mountain Inn.
One of the entries is a documentary, “Ask No Questions”, which aims to turn a probing eye on the Chinese government.
IE writer Misa Shikuma brings us reviews from the 2020 Sundance Film Festival – International Examiner
The Sundance Film Festival took place in Park City, UT, January 26 – February 2, 2020. International Examiner writer Misa Shikuma attended to provide coverage of select films featuring API stories, artists, actors and/or originating from API countries. Here she reviews: A Thousand Cuts; Ask No Questions; and Be Water.
Film Review: ‘Ask No Questions’: There’s Fake News and Then There’s Fake News – Epoch Times
Slamdance ‘20 presents exposé of Chinese Communist Party framing Falun Dafa
Slamdance doumentary ‘Ask No Questions’ shows state propaganda’s effect in China – Park Record Newspaper
In Jason Loftus’s documentary, “Ask No Questions,” which will screen Jan. 25 and 29 during the Slamdance Film Festival, audiences can see how propaganda is used to sway public opinion, especially in authoritarian countries.
Ask No Questions – Letterboxed
It's surprising to learn Jason Loftus isn't a journalist when he approaches the making of this documentary with more straightforward journalistic integrity than you'll find at many major publications. His history with the topic is stated from the very beginning, he presents arguments from both sides, and he never passes judgement even while his business is blackballed and his wife is cut off from contact with her family...
Slamdance Film Festival : Ask No Questions – FilmSchool Radio
In ASK NO QUESTIONS Chinese State TV blames his faith for a fiery public suicide, Chen Ruichang is detained in a Clockwork Orange-style brainwashing facility and forced to accept the government’s account.
Tickets Available for Doc Feature 'Ask No Questions' at Slamdance – Slamdance Film Festival
You can now purchase tickets for 'Ask No Questions' premiere at Slamdance Film Festival! Click here to select a show time. Here's what Slamdance Programmer Jeffrey Radice has to say about the film on the Slamdance website:
"Ask No Questions leads into allegations of nefarious activity at governmental scale. Evidence is credibly presented, shocking, and thorough. Journalistic in style, Chen’s story is well told and captivating. Black Mirror, if it was non-fiction. Topical, necessary, important, and lands squarely in the center of the human rights debate surrounding the People’s Republic of China today."
Ask No Questions to Premiere at Slamdance
Lofty Sky’s story of brainwashing and abuse in China is among nine documentary features in competition in Park City; screens Jan. 25th and 29th.
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Download news release pdf
Jan. 12, 2020 (TORONTO) Lofty Sky’s new feature documentary, Ask No Questions, will make its world premiere at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, UT, when it runs from Jan. 24-30.
The film tells the story of a former Chinese state TV insider who is held in a brainwashing camp and compelled to accept the official narrative on a fiery public suicide, which he believes was a government plot.
Slamdance programmer Jeffrey Radice describes Ask No Questions as being “as close to Black Mirror as you’ll find in non-fiction,” a “topical, necessary, and important film” that left him “mesmerized.”
From Canadian directors Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli, it is one of nine films that will appear in competition as part of Slamdance’s 2020 Documentary Features lineup.
“Ask No Questions leads into allegations of nefarious activity at governmental scale,” says Radice. “Evidence is credibly presented, shocking, and thorough,” he says, adding that the film “lands squarely in the center of the human rights debate surrounding the People’s Republic of China today.”
“We’re thrilled to be part of Slamdance. It has such an excellent track record of identifying great films and filmmakers,” says director and producer, Jason Loftus. “We can’t wait to share the film.”
Ask No Questions will screen twice the festival at the Slamdance festival venue in Park City, the Treasure Mountain Inn. Tickets for both shows are available at Slamdance.com:
- Sat, Jan 25th, 10:30 AM @ Gallery
- Wed, Jan 29th, 6:00 PM @ Ballroom
Read more press on the announcement:
Slamdance Film Festival picks 20 films for competition – Salt Lake Tribune
In "Ask No Questions" a former Chinese state TV insider is held in a brainwashing camp and compelled to accept the official narrative on a fiery public suicide, which he believes was a government plot. Directed by Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli.
Ask No Questions to debut at Slamdance – Playback
The film from directors Jason Loftus and Eric Pedicelli will make its world premiere as part of the festival's Documentary Features lineup.
Slamdance unveils 2020 feature film competition line-up – Screen Daily
New work from Uruguay, Japan and South Africa are among the 20-strong Slamdance Film Festival feature film competition line-up unveiled on Monday (December 2) alongside the second Breakouts selection.
Slamdance Film Festival Unveils 2020 Competition Lineup – Variety
Slamdance Film Festival has unveiled its 26th anniversary narrative and documentary feature film competition programs, as well as the lineup for its new breakouts section.
Chernobyl, Bigfoot and Political Drag Queens Highlight Slamdance 2020 Lineup – The Wrap
The Slamdance Film Festival unveiled its 2020 lineup of microbudget films Monday that will premiere at the Sundance alternative, among of which include projects about Chernobyl, a brainwashing camp, drag queens and a taxidermist looking for Bigfoot.
Slamdance Unveils Films In Narrative And Documentary Competition, Sets Return Of Russo Fellowship – Deadline
The 26th edition of the Slamdance Film Festival has set its slate for the films in the Narrative and Documentary Feature Film Competition programs as well as the lineup for their Breakouts section. The fest will take place in Park City, Utah January 24-30, 2020.
