Odessa Rae
Odessa Rae | |
|---|---|
 Rae in 2020 | |
| Born | May 23, 1982 Calgary, Canada |
| Other names | Jennifer Holmes |
| Alma mater | University of Toronto |
| Occupation(s) | Film producer, actor |
| Known for | Producer of Navalny |
Odessa Rae is a Canadian born, American film producer and actor, known for producing the documentary Navalny, which won the Best Documentary Feature at the 95th Academy Awards.[1][2] She has acted in multiple feature films and TV episodes, including Hard Candy, Smallville, and Movie 43.
Biography[edit]
Odessa's early life was spent between North America, Asia and India. She studied International Relations at University of Toronto,[3] is fluent in Japanese and conversationally fluent in several other languages. She began her film career in Japan. Widely known through appearances in commercials with Brad Pitt,[4] From there she went on to co-write, produce and star in her first feature film, Jenifa.[5]
In 2018, she produced and directed a short documentary for the UNHCR called Clear Blue Skies.[6] This project led to the production of a full-length documentary The Story Won't Die, released on Amazon Prime July 2022.[7][8]
She was key in the formation of Ivanhoe Pictures, which produced the box office hit, Crazy Rich Asians.[9] In January 2017, Rae signed a first-look development deal with the company.[10]
In 2021, Rae launched RaeFilm Studios, focusing on the development and production of non-fiction content.[11]
In 2023, Rae produced Defiant directed by Karim Amer, a documentary focused on the war in Ukraine, which had its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.[12][13]
Filmography[edit]
Executive producer[edit]
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Of Dust and Bones | Diane Bell |
Producer[edit]
| Year | Title | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Navalny | Daniel Roher | Winner, Best Documentary at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA)
Winner, Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards |
| 2022 | The Story Won't Die | David Henry Gerson | |
| 2023 | Hollywoodgate | Ibrahim Nash’at | |
| 2023 | Defiant | Karim Amer | |
| 2024 | It Doesn't Matter | Josh Mond |
Actor[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Chosen Family | Frances | |
| 2018 | Half Magic | Roxy | |
| 2017 | Hangman | TV Reporter | |
| 2015 | Always Worthy | TV Reporter | |
| 2014 | Asthma | Bathing Wings | |
| 2013 | Movie 43 | Danita | |
| 2012 | The Visit | Diana Short | |
| Gabe the Cupid Dog | Carissa | ||
| Rizzoli & Isles | Yoga Instructor | TV series | |
| 2011 | Man Without a Head | Venula | |
| My Dog's Christmas Miracle | Crystal | ||
| 2010 | Rules of Engagement | Gretchen | TV series |
| Smallville | Maggie McDougal/Silver Banshee | TV series | |
| Leverage | Cora McRory | TV series | |
| Let the Game Begin | Patient Patient | TV series |
References[edit]
- ^ "'Their eyes were burning': Former Calgarian producer Odessa Rae heads for Oscars Sunday for Navalny". Calgary. 2023-03-12. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ "Calgary producer, animators and dancer among those who represented the city at the 2023 Oscars". Calgary. 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
- ^ "Odessa Rae". ListenNotes.com. September 26, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Minisini, Lucas (March 25, 2024). "From 'Navalny' to 'Hollywoodgate,' producer Odessa Rae is at the center of global geopolitics". Le Monde. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Jenifa". Mubi. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Volmers, Eric (March 7, 2023). "The poisoning of Alexei Navalny: How a Canadian film crew helped expose the Russian agent". Calgary Herald. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Punter, Jennie (April 29, 2021). "'The Story Won't Die' Director and Artists Talk Art, Activism, and Audience (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Kraft, Tim (May 11, 2022). "Exclusive The Story Won't Die Trailer: Artists Find Power in Their Talent". MovieWeb. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "The little-known film company that made 'Crazy Rich Asians' possible". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ Lodderhose, Diana (January 13, 2017). "Ivanhoe Pictures Inks Development Deal With Odessa Rae". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Hunt, Stephen (March 12, 2023). "'Their eyes were burning': Former Calgarian producer Odessa Rae heads for Oscars Sunday for Navalny". CTV News. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ "Opinion: Putin's nemesis has a spirit that can outlast any strongman". 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
- ^ Mullen, Pat (August 9, 2023). "Thom Powers on the Buzz and Biz of TIFF Docs". POV Magazine. Retrieved April 29, 2024.