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“Trophy Boy” trailer. Watch/share/embed the full film (13:00) on Vimeo.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Andy Reynolds, Popular Publicity, andy@popularpublicity.com
Forthcoming festival screenings:
Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival
Tuesday, February 19, 6:00 p.m., Regal Cinemas L.A. Live
www.hollywoodreelindependentfilmfestival.com
Santa Fe Film Festival (Feb. 13-17)
Sunday, February 17, 7:45 PM, Jean Cocteau Cinema
www.santafefilmfestival.com
January 15, 2019 (New York) – Released October 22 on Vimeo, following screenings at Cannes, in London and across the U.S. “Trophy Boy” is the award-winning short film about James, a sexy NYC #bestlife poser who must face the harsh reality of creating a life without a hashtag after he is dumped by his wealthy benefactor.
The film has just been invited to screen at two more festivals, Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival (Feb. 19) and the Santa Fe Film Festival (Feb. 17).
“Trophy Boy” was directed by actor and director Emrhys Cooper, written by co-star Anthony Johnston (a writer on CBS series “Instinct”) and co-stars Gerald McCullouch, who many gay viewers may know from the “Bear City” movies.
The New York City premiere at the exclusive members club SoHo House, drew a glamorous crowd that included actor Zachary Quinto and his partner Miles McMillan, Instagram star Eric Rutherfod, well known artist and author Oliver Jeffers, actress and influencer Sofia Belhouari and the full cast of Trophy Boy. See photos here.
Related: “Trophy Boy” Short Film About the Fall of Insufferable Social Media Influencer to Become a TV Series
Emrhys Cooper can be seen playing Montgomery Clift in the biopic, “Frank and Ava,” now in wide release, in the forthcoming “Nosferatu,” and is currently shooting a new indie horror film “Dreamcatcher” in Los Angeles.
www.trophyboyfilm.com
Scroll for film stills, behind the scenes photos, full film synopsis, film festival review quotes and awards.
Zachary Quinto and Emrhys Cooper at the “Trophy Boy” premier in New York City. Photo by Andrew Werner. See more photos from the “Trophy Boy” premiere here.
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As one post-Cannes Film Festival reviewer put it, “‘Trophy Boy’ is the film equivalent of accidentally opening the front-facing camera on your phone while lying down, revealing your double chin. It shows us the real lives of these immaculately groomed people and the extreme lengths they go to for social media attention.”
But much as we enjoy the lip-smacking taste of schadenfreude at James’ expense, who hasn’t wasted hours staging and post-producing a lucky selfie or curating a dubious, glasses-raised “aspirational” post? Aren’t we all guilty of a little unhealthy #bestlife fakery?
“Social media has created a generation of self-obsessed narcissists obsessed with self-obsessed narcissists,” says Cooper–himself with nearly a quarter million followers across his social platforms–on why he made the film.
“My goal for ‘Trophy Boy’ is to say look up from your phone, breathe, observe, and think about what really matters; honesty, integrity and deep sense of responsibility. Enjoying the people you love and doing meaningful work. When we do this, we put ourselves on a path toward achieving the dream of living a truly satisfying life. Our #authenticlife, as it were. Zero “Likes” given. Or needed.” (Emrhys Cooper photo by Mikhail Kharlamov. Scroll for larger images.)
Emrhys Cooper (James) and Gerald McCullouch (Mark) on the set of “Trophy Boy.” Photo by Andrew Werner.
>Scroll for film stills, behind the scenes photos.
The short has screened at numerous prestigious film festivals, including the Cannes Film Festival and Chelsea Film Festival.
Film Festival Awards
• Silver Winner Latitude Film Awards Narrative Short (London) 2018
• Winner New Visions Award, Sherman Oaks Film (California) Festival, 2018
• Best Ensemble Catskill International Film Festival (upstate New York) 2018
• Screens at the Chelsea Film Festival in NYC Oct 20
In addition to “Trophy Boy,” Emrhys Cooper can be seen next starring in “The Price For Silence,” “Frank & Ava” (Oct 26) a biopic in which he plays Montgomery Clift, and “Nosferatu” (early 2019) alongside Doug Jones from “The Shape of Water.” •
“Trophy Boy” Full Synopsis
“Trophy Boy” is your classic “riches-to-rags” story. It depicts the downward spiral of James – a spoiled, influencer and narcissist, who, based on his social media accounts, appears to have it all. But, just before his 30th birthday, his much older boyfriend, on whom he was financially dependent, breaks up with him. James now must face reality with no work experience and no idea where to start. With his sex-addicted best buddy by his side, James takes a crash course in living and sets out to prove that he doesn’t need anyone to take care of him. He ultimately ends up alienating himself further from reality and comes face-to-face with the bitter fact that if he doesn’t learn to live as an adult in the real world, he’ll never be more than a washed-up, unwanted accessory.
“Trophy Boy” Film Festival Review Quotes
“CANNES FILM FESTIVAL – Emrhys Cooper’s Trophy Boy is a must-see film that will make us look at ourselves! ★★★★★”– Film & Business Television, May 11, 2018
“Trophy Boy is an excellent film that addresses a subject that the whole world is currently involved in; Social Media. A definite ★★★★★” – JustCelebrityMag.com, May 11, 2018
““Trophy Boy is one of the best films I’ve seen this year, if not the best. About the excesses and downfalls of living a social media life.” – Author tweet regarding his review, Movies Over the Rainbow, April 30, 2018
“But, it’s Cooper who steals the limelight. With impeccable dialogue delivery, amazing body language and performance, he consumes the screen every time he faces the camera…The climax is a pure masterpiece in terms of both, acting and story.” – Indie Shorts Mag, September 14, 2018
“Cooper & Johnston, who shoulder the responsibility as the director and co-writers, have woven such a compelling tale for the millennials that it’s hard not to be affected! The dialogues and characters are relatable, the storytelling is as effortless as the performances and the background score is complimentary. Without giving away much, the climax is a pure masterpiece in terms of both, acting and story. The dark, haunting depth attained in performance and narration makes ‘Trophy Boy’ worth a watch!” – Indie Shorts Magazine, September 14, 2018
“Actor Emrys Cooper’s performance in “Trophy Boy” (which also showed at Cannes) was a highlight at the Catskill International Film Festival held in Callicoon, NY, last weekend.” – River Reporter, September 13-19, 2018
“Trophy Boy is the film equivalent of accidentally opening the front-facing camera on your phone while lying down, revealing your double chin. It shows us the real lives of these immaculately groomed people and the extreme lengths they go to for social media attention.” – Review Avenue(UK), June 4, 2018
“Trophy” Boy stills
All photos by Andrew Werner.
“Trophy Boy” behind the scenes
All photos by Andrew Werner.
Emrhys Cooper by Mikhail Kharlamov
Popular Publicity 