The Ugly Cow

Here Films Officially Launches and Announces New 2010 Slate

2009-06-29T12:13:00.001-07:00

Here Films Officially Launches and Announces New 2010 Slate
Cannes Directors' Fortnight Winner, Berlin Silver Bear Winner and Made for Cinema Opera Among Acquired Titles Under New Film Division of Here Media

LOS ANGELES, CA -- June 29, 2009 -- Here Media announced today the launch of Here Films, the new acquisition and distribution division of Here Media, Inc. All current staff of Regent Releasing will be folded into the newly formed parent company Here Media effective immediately. Here Films staff will oversee all remaining Regent releases through 2009 with all new films being released through the Here Films banner. Here Films recently acquired several high profile films including Cannes Directors' Fortnight winner "I Killed My Mother" (J'ai tué ma mère), Berlin Silver Bear Winner "About Elly" (Darbareye Elly), and the Kenneth Branagh made for cinema opera "The Magic Flute." Here Films will distribute all these pictures in select U.S. theaters, on DVD and via here! Networks in 2010.

"This launch marks an important evolution for us as a company and a distributor by allowing us to effectively utilize all our brands and maximize our cross-platform distribution capabilities to bring award-winning world cinema with universal appeal to U.S. audiences across multiple platforms," said Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow, CEO and Chairman of parent company Here Media.

Mark Reinhart, EVP, Distribution and Acquisitions will continue to lead the Here Films distribution team with staffers John Lambert, SVP, Theatrical Distribution, Liz Mackiewicz, SVP, Sales and Distribution and Jonathon Aubry, VP, Marketing and Distribution reporting to him directly.

Here Films will release 8-12 films a year with the following films among its newest acquisitions:

"I Killed My Mother" (J'ai tué ma mère)
Here Media has acquired U.S. distribution rights from international sales agent REZO. "I Killed My Mother" ("J'ai tué ma mère") was written, produced and directed by 20-year old Xavier Dolan making his feature film directorial debut. The film swept the 41st Directors' Fortnight section at this year's Cannes Film Festival collecting 3 of the 4 main awards including the Prix Regards Jeunes 2009, the Art Cinema Award, and the SACD Prize. The film stars Xavier Dolan, Anne Dorval ("Le Coeur a Ses Raisons"), Suzanne Cle'mont ("L'audition"), Francois Arnaud and Monique Spaziani ("Les Portes Tournantes").

A semi-autobiographical story from filmmaker and star Xavier Dolan, "I Killed My Mother," focuses on a sixteen-year old boy from Montreal who has a complicated love/hate relationship with his mother. He drifts through the mysteries of an adolescence of artistic discoveries, illicit experiences, friendship, sex and ostracism.

"The Magic Flute"
Here Media has acquired U.S. distribution rights from Celluloid Dreams for "The Magic Flute," an English language made-for-cinema film adaptation of Mozart's "The Magic Flute" co-written and directed by acclaimed director/actor, Kenneth Branagh. Stephen Fry co-wrote the film with Branagh and did the English libretto translation. As a writer, director and actor Branagh claimed three Academy Award® nominations for his work on the 1990 "Henry V" and the 1997 "Hamlet." "The Magic Flute" was produced by Pierre-Olivier Bardet and executive produced by the Peter Moores Foundation, which encourages the creation of new work and strives to attract new audiences to opera. Acclaimed musical director James Conlon, who was awarded France's Legion d'Honneur in 2001, conducted the Chamber Orchestra of Europe for the film. "The Magic Flute" stars Joseph Kaiser (Tamino), Amy Carson (Pamina), Benjamin Jay Davis (Papageno), Silvia Moi (Papagena), Rene Pape (Sarastro) and Lyubov Petrova (Queen of the Night).

"The Magic Flute" takes place on the eve of World War I and unfolds as a young soldier waiting for the command to go to battle is transported into a twilight world between a dream and nightmare. He is sent on a deadly mission to rescue the daughter of the Queen of the Night from the dark lord Sarastro.

"About Elly" (Darbareye Elly)
Here Media has acquired North American distribution rights from Dreamlab to "About Elly" (Darbareye Elly), directed by Asghar Farhadi and starring Iranian actress Golshifteh Farahani as Sepideh. "About Elly" centers around a group of middle-class Iranians who drive to the shores of the Caspian Sea for a short break from Tehran. The film has won numerous festival awards including the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 59th Berlin Film Festival, the Best Narrative Feature at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival and the Crystal Symorgh for best directing at the 27th Fajr International Film Festival in Tehran.

"I Killed My Mother," "The Magic Flute" and "About Elly" mark significant additions to an impressive slate of first-rate and thought-provoking world cinema Here Media and its affiliates have acquired in recent months. Current and upcoming releases from Here Films and Regent Releasing include the Academy Award® winner for Best Foreign Language Film, "Departures," the Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury prize winner "Tokyo Sonata," Iran's Official entry for the 81st Academy Awards®, "The Song of Sparrows," two-time Annie Award nominee, "$9.99," "Little Ashes," which focuses on the romance between Salvador Dali and Federico García Lorca starring Robert Pattinson ("Twilight") and Javier Beltrán, 2009 Sundance entry "Zion and His Brother" and 2009 Berlin entry "El Nino Pez."
Mark Reinhart, EVP Distribution and Acquisitions for Here Media negotiated the acquisition deals for all three films.

“Captures the charm of A Prairie Home Companion and its creator”

2009-06-17T16:39:00.000-07:00

“Captures the charm of A Prairie Home Companion
and its creator” – Variety

GARRISON KEILLOR:

THE MAN ON THE RADIO

IN THE RED SHOES

New York, NY June XX, 2009 – America ’s foremost humorist and commentator, Garrison Keillor takes his skits and monologues across the country in America ’s most popular radio show, A Prairie Home Companion. The acclaimed feature film GARRISON KEILLOR: THE MAN ON THE RADIO IN THE RED SHOES trails this yarn-smith and his crew of actors and musicians as they spin stories and song into American gold. Following a nationwide premiere on Thirteen’s American Masters on PBS on July 1, Docurama Films brings this candid look at the private man in the public spotlight to DVD—along with over an hour of exclusive bonus material—on July 7, 2009 .

Filmed over the course of more than a year, this intimate portrait captures Keillor on- and off-stage as he mingles fact and fiction to create America’s collective hometown, Lake Wobegon, on his radio program. The result is a fascinating inside look at the enigmatic raconteur and how the imaginary world he created became a real place in America. Author of more than 20 books as well as a syndicated weekly column, Keillor is credited with reviving the lost art of live radio entertainment in America; his weekly radio show, celebrating its 35^th anniversary this July, has more than 4 million listeners and is broadcast on 590 stations. Robert Altman’s 2006 film starring Meryl Streep, A Prairie Home Companion, brought Keillor and his characters to the big screen.

“His writing is never from an elevated space, so he connects with his audience,” said Peabody, DGA and Emmy^® Award-winning filmmaker Peter Rosen (Eighth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition: Here to Make Music and Who Gets to Call It Art?). “But the production value of his show is highly elevated, and the novelty for viewers of this film will be to see how the magic happens.”

Keillor mixes storytelling and humor to give us a lighthearted but deeply felt reflection of ourselves. While he’s been compared to such legends as Mark Twain and Will Rogers, Garrison Keillor is unique. In this unusual biography, we begin to see how and why.

- over -

OVER AN HOUR OF EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL INCLUDES:

· Outtakes

· Garrison Keillor Talks to Students

· Interview with Robert Altman and Garrison Keillor

· Filmmaker Biography

To view the trailer: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/garrison-keillor/the-man-on-the-radio-in-the-red-shoes/1159/

About Peter Rosen – Producer/Director
Peter Rosen has produced and directed over 100 full-length films and television programs which have been distributed worldwide and have won awards at the major film festivals. He has worked directly with some of the most important figures in the arts such as Leonard Bernstein, Yo Yo Ma, Beverly Sills, Sherrill Milnes, Stephen Sondheim, Alexander Godunov, Midori, Martha Graham, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Van Cliburn, Claudio Arrau, I. M. Pei, and Garrison Keillor. He won the prestigious Directors Guild of America Award for his production Here to Make Music: The Eighth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. The show also won a primetime national Emmy Award. He was again nominated for the DGA Award for his film First Person Singular: I. M. Pei. He won the Peabody Award for Playing on the Edge: The Eleventh Van Cliburn International Piano Competition.

JAW-DROPPINGLY FASCINATING –DISTURBING, HILARIOUS, TERRIFYING

2009-06-08T12:53:00.001-07:00

“JAW-DROPPINGLY FASCINATING –DISTURBING, HILARIOUS, TERRIFYING…A”
– Entertainment Weekly

NURSERY UNIVERSITY

Getting In Is No Longer Child’s Play

“FUNNY & AMAZING!” – Jeffrey Lyons

New York, NY June XX, 2009 – In communities across the country, competition for admission into the best schools is starting very early...as in preschool. The acclaimed feature documentary NURSERY UNIVERSITY is the only film to gain access to this cultural phenomenon, revealing with humor and humanity the surprisingly elaborate process of applications, anxious parent-toddler interviews, placement lotteries and pricey consultants. Cue the tears, hysterics and breakdowns—and that’s just the parents. Docurama Films is proud to bring this highly entertaining and informative film—sure to become every parent’s scholastic starter guide—to DVD on July 7, 2009.

Following screenings at the Hot Docs, Hamptons International and Margaret Mead Film Festivals, NURSERY UNIVERSITY premiered theatrically to the highest national per-screen average earning in its opening weekend this past April. The film’s broadcast premiere on Showtime followed with rave reviews on May 11, 2009.

Hailed by Variety as “SPELLBOUND IN TRAINING PANTS,” and “EPIC…EQUAL PARTS SESAME STREET AND GLADIATOR” by the New York Post, NURSERY UNIVERSITY is set in New York City, the epicenter of the preschool scramble, where a post-9/11 baby boom has led to 15-20 toddler applicants for each available spot at the best nursery schools. The film follows five Manhattan families during the year-long contest—which officially commences the day after Labor Day with a speed-dial “phone-a-thon” for applications—and also gains access into the school admissions departments themselves to reveal the behind-the-scenes antics of this outrageous private school realm. What starts as a race to get their children into the “right” mini-Ivy turns into a reality check for parents when unexpected hiccups arrive that expose both the absurdity of the process and genuine anxiety for those wanting the best for their kids.

Packed with bonus features including unseen footage and film festival Q&As with the parents and admission experts, the DVD offers both an instructive and highly amusing look at the madness of it all, and also includes bonus footage with advice for those who may find themselves faced with this challenging process for their own little darlings soon.

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EXCLUSIVE BONUS MATERIAL INCLUDES:

· Tips from the Experts: Advice for Getting Into Nursery School

· Audio Commentary with the Filmmakers

· Q&As with the Parents, Admissions Officers, and Filmmakers

· Hilarious Deleted Scenes

· Trailer

· Filmmaker Biographies

About Marc H. Simon – Director/Producer/Writer
Marc H. Simon conceived, wrote and produced After Innocence, which won the Special Jury Award at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, before going on to receive other numerous recognitions, including its selection as a semifinalist for Best Feature Documentary at the 78^th Academy Awards^®. Nursery University is Simon’s feature directorial debut. Simon is also an entertainment attorney and partner at the law firm of Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP in New York City where his practice focuses in all matters of entertainment law with emphasis in the areas of independent film finance and production and television. He also has worked as a special legal correspondent and producer for Fox Television's A Current Affair.

About Matthew Makar - Co-Director/Producer
Matthew Makar co-directed and produced the award-winning film Yellow Brick Road, which aired on HBO Family and Cinemax. Nursery University is Makar’s second feature documentary. Makar is also a consultant for documentaries, including Living in Emergency (Doctors Without Borders) and NBC’s Meeting David Wilson. Makar is currently developing a series called Imagine My Life about disabled artists collaborating with their favorite artists. He has also worked in production for Miramax Films, Greene Street Films, Ralph Lauren, MTV and VH1.

New DVD from Uwe Boll: Tunnel Rats

2009-06-04T17:28:00.000-07:00

TUNNEL RATS

“ASTONISHING”

-COMBUSTIBLECELLULOID.COM

FIRST FEATURE FILM SET IN CU CHI TUNNELS ARRIVING ON DVD June 30, 2009

Universal City, CA, May 14, 2009 – From controversial director Uwe Boll comes a film that takes you beyond the battle lines. The year is 1967. American troops are making their way through the jungle of the Cu Chi District of Vietnam. A special US combat unit is sent out to hunt and kill the Viet Cong soldiers in a man-to-man combat in the endless tunnels underneath the jungle of Vietnam . Tunnel Rats is a stunning, no holds barred journey into the darkest chapter of the Vietnam War.

Never before has a film featured a story about the tunnels beneath the jungle of Vietnam . Tunnel Rats takes on a fresh look on the Vietnam War and presents a starkly realistic portrayal. LA Weekly hails Tunnel Rats as “Boll’s best film to date”, Efilmcritic calls it “impressively uncompromising” and gives it four stars.

Starring Michael Paré, Tunnel Rats received its US theatrical debut in a prestigious Los Angeles film festival retrospective.

Synopsis:

In Tunnel Rats a special US combat unit is sent on a mission to search and destroy Viet Cong resistance forces in the endless networks of tunnels in the jungles of Vietnam . Armed with only handguns, flashlights and knives the men soon find themselves embroiled in hand- to-hand combat. As the battle moves underground, for both sides, the struggle becomes less about winning than about survival

Visit http://tunnelratsmovie.com/ for more information on the film.

Preorder the DVD on Amazon: http://bit.ly/DVDTunnelRats

NEW VIDEO ANNOUNCES THE DVD RELEASE OF THE BLOCKBUSTER INTERNET PHENOMENON

2009-05-20T21:21:00.000-07:00

THE BLOCKBUSTER INTERNET PHENOMENON

COMES TO DVD

PACKED WITH OVER 90 MINUTES

OF HILARIOUS BONUS MATERIAL

JOSS WHEDON’S

DR. HORRIBLE’S

SING-ALONG BLOG

Starring Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day

New York, NY May XX, 2009 – New Video NYC announces the arrival of the smash-hit scifi musical romp DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG to retail shelves nationwide on DVD. From beloved creator Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dollhouse) and starring Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother), Nathan Fillion (Firefly, Castle), and Felicia Day (The Guild)—along with Simon Helberg (The Big Bang Theory) as Moist—this game-changing sensation takes over a retailer near you June 2, 2009.

Born during the Writers’ Strike in 2008 as a free streaming internet miniseries, DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG became an instant success, premiering on iTunes as the #1 downloaded TV season for 3 weeks running, and currently still residing in the Top 10 of all TV shows. The soundtrack of such hit songs from the film as “My Freeze Ray” and “My Eyes” debuted at #1 in soundtracks on iTunes and made the Top 40 Album list on release. High schools have performed the piece as their spring musical and fans have created their own action figures.

So what’s the fuss all about? Put simply, Billy, A.K.A. Dr. Horrible (Neil Patrick Harris), is a budding supervillain whose plans for world domination continually go awry. His two goals: getting accepted into the Evil League of Evil, and working up the guts to speak to his laundromat crush Penny (Felicia Day). The only thing standing in his way is Captain Hammer (Nathan Fillion), Billy’s superhero archnemesis. With one big score, Billy could get into the E.L.E. and earn the respect of Penny, but only if he can keep her away from the dashing Captain Hammer…

Critics have joined the fans in hailing DR. HORRIBLE’S SING-ALONG BLOG. Variety declared it “a toe-tapping good time,” and TV Guide insisted that “far from horrible, it’s terrific.” Listed on over 10 Top Ten lists, it’s been named “One of the Top Inventions of 2008” (Time Magazine), won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Online Sensation and seven Streamy Awards for web television, and has been nominated for a 2009 Hugo Award. The final step in Dr. Horrible’s plan to “stop the world”—domination of national retail’s DVD shelves—is now at hand.

DVD Contains Over 90 Minutes of Hilarious Bonus Material Including:

* Commentary with the cast and creators
* “Commentary! The Musical”: 42 minutes of all new music where the cast and creators ignore the movie and sing about the writers’ strike…and each other
* Behind-the-scenes featurettes on the making of the movie and the music
* The top 10 video applications submitted by fans who want to join the Evil League of Evil
* Three Easter eggs: blooper reel, rehearsal footage, and up-close-and-personal interviews with the members of the Evil League of Evil

Regent Worldwide Forms International Strategic Alliance with CineTel Films

2009-05-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

CANNES -- May 15, 2009 -- Regent Worldwide Sales, the sales affiliate of Regent Entertainment, and CineTel Films announced today that they entered into a strategic alliance for international sales of television and DVD rights. Specifically, they will jointly attend international sales markets, thereby achieving strong market presence and economies of scale on a yearlong basis. They will also combine their back office administration and rights management systems and will operate out of CineTel's West Hollywood headquarters.

CineTel's Paul Hertzberg will manage the alliance. With almost 30 years of experience, he has been an innovative force in providing cost effective motion picture alternatives for a worldwide market. Regent's sales efforts will continue to be headed by Adam Wright and Liz Mackiewicz. CineTel's top sales executives will be Marcy Rubin and Eric Bernstein.

Regent Chairman, Stephen P. Jarchow, commented, "The Regent-CineTel alliance provides buyers with an extraordinary supplier of the finest in commercial television movies. As the two most established and respected distributors of action, sci-fi and thriller product, we become an essential stop for every network and DVD company worldwide."

Regent is a leading worldwide distributor of theatrical and television motion pictures. It has a library of over 3,500 programs, mostly comprised of feature length films and is one of the major providers of cable and satellite television movies to the world market.

"This is an extraordinary combination," commented Paul Hertzberg. "We have created the most prolific international sales company in the world with 15-20 new titles per year and a library of over 250 titles. This alliance enhances our competitiveness and ability to serve our worldwide customers."

Regent and CineTel titles at this year's Cannes Marche du Film include "Little Ashes," a historical drama about the college years of Salvador Dalí and Federico García Lorca, starring Robert Pattinson ("Twilight") and Javier Beltrán, Slamdance entry "Weathergirl" starring Tricia O'Kelly and Marc Harmon, "Icarus," starring and directed by Dolph Lundgren and "I Spit on Your Grave," the remake of the highly controversial 1978 cult classic.

For more information, please visit http://www.regententertainment.com and http://www.cinetelfilms.com.

About Regent Worldwide Sales
Regent Worldwide Sales, LLC is a worldwide distributor of theatrical and television motion pictures. It has a library of over 3,500 programs, mostly comprised of feature length films. The company has established output arrangements in a number of international territories and is one of the major providers of cable and satellite television movies to the world market.

For more information, please visit http://www.regententertainment.com.

"El Niño Pez," "Zion and His Brother" Add to Regent/Here Media's World Cinema Initiative

2009-05-20T21:19:00.000-07:00

"El Niño Pez," "Zion and His Brother" Add to Regent/Here Media's World Cinema Initiative
Multi-Platform Niche Company Acquires Rights for Official Berlin and Sundance Entries

CANNES, FRANCE -- May 17, 2009 -- Regent Releasing and Here Media announced today that they have acquired North American distribution rights from MK2 to the Argentinean drama "El Niño Pez" ("The Fish Child"), the second film from award-winning director Lucía Puenzo, and "Zion and His Brother," from debut filmmaker Eran Merav. Regent/Here Media acquired both films from international sales agent MK2 at the Cannes Marché du Film. Regent/Here Media will distribute both films in select cities in early 2010.

"We are thrilled to be working with Lucía Puenzo and Eran Merav, two wonderfully innovative emerging filmmakers furthering our mission to bring powerful and thought-provoking world cinema to U.S. audiences," said Mark Reinhart, General Manager and Executive Vice President Distribution and Acquisitions for Regent/Here Media.

"El Niño Pez," written and directed by Lucía Puenzo, follows her 2007 multiple award-winning film, "XXY," which garnered the Critics' Week Grand Prize at the 2007 Festival de Cannes. "El Niño Pez" premiered at the 59th Berlin International Film Festival and made its U.S. premiere in competition at this year's Tribeca Film Festival as a part of the World Narrative Feature Competition. The film stars Inés Efron, Mariela Vitale and Carlos Bardem (brother of Javier Bardem) and was produced by Luis Puenzo and Jose Maria Morales. "El Niño Pez" was co-produced by Marin Karmitz, Nathanaël Karmitz and Charles Gillibert from MK2.

"El Niño Pez" is adapted from Puenzo's 2004 novel of the same name and focuses on an unassuming and pretty Lala (Inés Efron), a teenager from the most exclusive suburban neighborhood in Buenos Aires. Lala is madly in love with Guayi (Mariela Vitale - Emme), her family's gorgeous 20-year-old Paraguayan maid. The two dream of living together in Paraguay and begin to steal and sell all they can get their hands on to fund their escape. But when their risky plan goes terribly wrong, Guayi disappears and is taken into custody for a crime she did not commit. Desperate, Lala will stop at nothing to be with Guayi again... even if it means unraveling the secrets of her dark, hidden past.

"Zion and His Brother" is Eran Merav's first feature film and was an official selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Co-produced by Marin Karmitz, Nathanaël Karmitz, Charles Gillibert ("Paranoid Park", "Summer Hours") and Assaf Amir, the film stars award-winning actress Ronit Elkabetz ("Ve'Lakhta Lehe Isha") as the mother, Tzahi Grad as Meir, and Reuven Badalov as Zion.

"Zion and His Brother" is set in a gritty neighborhood in Haifa, Israel. A series of cascading events begin to drive an alienating wedge between the inseparable protective older brother, Meir, and younger brother, Zion. The brothers' fierce loyalty is shaken and their interdependence fractured in this coming-of-age drama.

"We are thoroughly delighted to partner with such an experienced and enthusiastic distributor for 'El Nino Pez' and Zion and His Brother.' Not only do we feel that these films are in excellent hands, but they are also in very good company as a part of Regent's excellent line-up of films." says Nathanaël Karmitz.

"El Niño Pez" and "Zion and His Brother" mark significant additions to an impressive slate of award-winning and thought-provoking world cinema Regent and Here Media have acquired in recent months. Current and upcoming releases include the Academy Award® winner for Best Foreign Language Film, "Departures," the Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury prize winner "Tokyo Sonata," Iran's Official entry for the 81st Academy Awards®, "The Song of Sparrows," two-time Annie Award nominee, Official Cannes Competition entry "Serbis," "$9.99" and "Little Ashes," which focuses on the romance between Salvador Dalí and Federico García Lorca starring Robert Pattinson ("Twilight") and Javier Beltrán.

The acquisition deals for of "El Niño Pez" and "Zion and His Brother" were negotiated by Mark Reinhart for Regent/Here and Matthieu Giblin for MK2.

For more information about these films, please visit http://www.regentreleasing.com, http://www.thefishchild.com/ or http://www.zion-and-his-brother-movie.mk2.com/.

About Regent Releasing and Here Media
Regent Releasing, a leader in the distribution of innovative, artist-driven independent films, was established in 1995 by acclaimed producers Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow. Regent releases 10-15 films per year, which include co-productions and acquired titles. Regent is dedicated to showcasing quality independent films; distributing powerful and thought-provoking world cinema; and nurturing innovative, emerging filmmakers. Regent releases 10-15 films per year, which include co-productions and acquired titles. Regent releases include Academy Award® winner "Departures," the Annie-award nominated "$9.99," Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize winner "Tokyo Sonata," Iran's Official Entry for the 81st Academy Awards "The Song of Sparrows," Official Cannes Competition Entry "Serbis," and "Little Ashes," which focuses on the romance between Salvador Dalí and Federico García Lorca, starring Robert Pattinson ("Twilight") and Javier Beltrán. Past releases include the Academy Award® winner, "Gods and Monsters," Sundance award-winner "Stephanie Daley," the award-winning documentary, "Showbusiness: The Road to Broadway" and the indie breakout hit "Kabluey."

NEW VIDEO DIGITAL SALUTES & CELEBRATES SOLDIERS AROUND THE WORLD WITH TEN STORIES OF COURAGE

2009-05-20T21:17:00.000-07:00

NEW VIDEO SALUTES SOLDIERS AROUND THE WORLD

WITH TEN STORIES OF COURAGE INCLUDING THE NEW RELEASES OF

DIVERGENCE AND TOP SECRET TRIALS OF THE THIRD REICH

NEW YORK , NY , May 18, 2009— New Video Digital announces a salute to soldiers around the world for the upcoming Memorial Day celebration with ten films from acclaimed directors, now available on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com). Joining an already robust selection of films examining those engaged in war are the highly-anticipated releases of TOP SECRET TRIALS OF THE THIRD REICH on May 19, and DIVERGENCE on May 26. DIVERGENCE tells the story of a wounded soldier from Iraq who finds solace in the arms of a mysterious women. From the award-winning director Jochen Bauer and Academy® Award nominee Bengt con zur Mühlen, the documentary TOP SECRET TRIALS OF THE THIRD REICH exposes the trial of the real men that plotted to assassinate Hitler, inspiring the Tom Cruise and Kenneth Branaugh-starrer VALKYRIE.

“We're proud to make TOP SECRET TRIALS OF THE THIRD REICH available on iTunes, and feel its message of taking courageous action against totalitarian ideologies is a tribute to the spirit of all those who have fought for our liberty.” – Marc Mauceri, Vice President of First Run Features.

Other inspiring and informative films available this Memorial Day on the iTunes Store include; Phil Donahue’s directorial debut BODY OF WAR, Emmy® Award nominee COMBAT DIARY: THE MARINES OF LIMA COMPANY, Emmy® Award winner & Academy® Award Nominee OPERATION HOMECOMING: WRITING THE WARTIME EXPERIENCE, Winner for Best Documentary at Tribeca Film Festival THE WAR TAPES, critically acclaimed INSIDE IRAQ: THE UNTOLD STORIES, SOLDIERS PAY, BLOOD AND OIL: THE MIDDLE EAST IN WORLD WAR I, and Award-winner SILENT WINGS: THE AMERICAN GILDER PILOTS OF WORLD WAR II.

TOP SECRET TRIALS OF THE THIRD REICH – In August of 1944, the trial of the men who conspired to assassinate the Fuhrer began. Joseph Goebbels ordered cameras hidden in the courtroom; the resulting footage, transformed into a propaganda film, only succeeded in generating sympathy for the conspirators, sentenced to death by the visibly deranged Nazi tribunal judge Roland Freisler. Having miscalculated the impact of these images, Goebbels ordered the film banned and destroyed - but one print has been found.

Using authentic footage from the trial, the film details the various attempts to assassinate Hitler and sheds new light on the anti-Nazi resistance.

DIVERGENCE – A wounded veteran of the Iraq war returns to his hometown to reclaim a simpler life after the horrors of war, and develops an unusual bond with a beautiful woman whose life has been turned upside down by a fatal accident, forever bonding her personal loss to a nation's sorrow.

Press Releases

2009-05-20T21:13:00.000-07:00