Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.
- Image: The Citizen Poster
- Press Release: ‘The Intouchables’ Becomes Year’s Highest Grossing Foreign Language Film in North America
- Press Release: ‘You May Not Kiss the Bride’ Opening Announced
- Press Release: ‘Beauty Is Embarrassing’ Opening Announced
- Press Release: The Weinstein Company to Give Away e-Books for ‘The Intouchables’ Inspiration
- Press Release: The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to Honor ‘The Intouchables’
Image: The Citizen Poster
Press Release: ‘The Intouchables’ Becomes Year’s Highest Grossing Foreign Language Film in North America
WORLDWIDE RECORD BREAKING THE INTOUCHABLES BECOMES THIS YEAR’S HIGHEST GROSSING FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM IN NORTH AMERICA DIRECTORS URGE AMERICANS TO EXPERIENCE THE INTERNATIONAL FAVORITE COMEDY OF THE YEAR
July 24, 2012 – NEW YORK – The Weinstein Company (TWC) announced today that worldwide record breaking THE INTOUCHABLES, directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, has become this year’s highest grossing foreign language film in North America surpassing Academy Award© winning A SEPARATION for the record. This milestone comes even before the film’s July 27th nationwide expansion and follows an expansive list of global and domestic acclaim and box office records.
“We ask all international audiences to join us in rallying America to experience the most fun they will have in a movie theater this year,” said Nakache and Toledano. “Breaking this record shows that our worlds are not so far apart. A true story about friendship touches international and American audiences alike.”
“I am thrilled that audiences love THE INTOUCHABLES as much as we do and hope that all of the success the film is seeing is just the beginning,” said TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein. “It is our wish that if this already strong word of mouth continues to build that we could reach another milestone by out grossing the current all-time North American foreign language film records. The best part about the film’s success is the fact that a foreign language film is getting its fair turn in the spotlight in this industry. It is movies like this that help us continue to bring smart, entertaining and well-written films that break the mold to theaters everywhere.”
THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and TWC’s own UNDER THE SAME MOON are two of the current all-time North American foreign language film record holders.
THE INTOUCHABLES has the third highest gross of all time in France and is the highest grossing French film in Germany ever, and has held the #1 spot in many countries around the world. Currently the worldwide gross is $356 million and counting.
The audience response in the U.S. matches the international love of the film. The film’s stars Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy, winner of this year’s César Award for Best Actor, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, have chemistry and charm that make for one of the most feel good films of our time. THE INTOUCHABLES has garnered awards at film festivals all around the country this year including: the ColCoa Film Festival’s Audience Award and Critics Special Prize; the San Francisco International Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature; the Florida Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best International Feature; the Wisconsin Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Film; the Nashville Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature; and the Maui Film Festival’s Audience Award for Narrative Feature World Cinema.
THE INTOUCHABLES – SYNOPSIS
An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, THE INTOUCHABLES has broken box office records in its native France and across Europe. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), THE INTOUCHABLES depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common. Directed Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the film was nominated for a total of nine 2012 César Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, including Best Picture, and winning Best Actor for breakout star Omar Sy, and won the Grand Prize at the 2011 Tokyo International Film Festival.
ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes. TWC releases took home eight 2012 Academy Awards®, the most wins in the studio’s history. The tally included Best Picture for Michel Hazanavicius’s THE ARTIST and Best Documentary Feature for TJ Martin and Dan Lindsay’s UNDEFEATED. THE ARTIST brought TWC its second consecutive Best Picture statuette following the 2011 win for Tom Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH.
Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; I’M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE; THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; SCRE4M; SUBMARINE; DIRTY GIRL; APOLLO 18; OUR IDIOT BROTHER; I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT; SARAH’S KEY; SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D; MY WEEK WITH MARILYN; THE IRON LADY; W.E.; CORIOLANUS; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; and BULLY. Currently in release are EASY MONEY and THE INTOUCHABLES. Upcoming releases include LAWLESS; KILLING THEM SOFTLY; THE MASTER; and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. Currently in production is DJANGO UNCHAINED.
TWC is also active in television production, led by former Miramax Films President of Production and current President of Television Meryl Poster, with credits including the Emmy® nominated and Peabody Award winning reality series Project Runway, spin-off series Project Accessory and Project Runway All Stars, the VH1 reality series Mob Wives, and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency which also received a Peabody Award. The company is currently in pre-production on the martial-arts epic Marco Polo for Starz as well as production on the second season of Mob Wives and the newest installment in the series’ franchise Mob Wives Chicago. TWC additionally has 17 series in different stages of development, including The Nanny Diaries, being adapted for ABC by Amy Sherman Palladino (Gilmore Girls).
Press Release: ‘You May Not Kiss the Bride’ Opening Announced
Katharine McPhee and Rob Schneider Comedy YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE Opens Theatrically Across the U.S. on September 21st Film to Make Hawaii Debut on August 31 st
Los Angeles, CA (July 24, 2012) – Freestyle Digital Media (FDM) and Hawaii Film Partners Distribution (HFPD) have joined forces to release the new tropical adventure-comedy-romance YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE, written and directed by Rob Hedden (“Clockstoppers”). The film, which was produced by Rann Watumull, Gina Watumull, David Jackson and Shauna Shapiro Jackson, stars Katharine McPhee (“Smash”), Dave Annable (“Brothers and Sisters”), Rob Schneider (“Grown Ups”), Mena Suvari (“American Beauty”) and Kathy Bates (“Midnight in Paris”). YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE is slated for a red carpet destination premiere in Honolulu, with its U.S. mainland theatrical release to follow in additional markets including Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.
YOU MAY NOT KISS THE BRIDE is a charming tale of adventurous high jinx and budding romance involving an unassuming pet photographer (Annable) who is thrown head first into a series of unforeseeable events when he’s forced to marry a Croatian mobster’s daughter (McPhee) and spend his honeymoon at a secluded Tahitian resort where the bride is kidnapped.
The deal was negotiated by FDM’s CEO Susan Jackson; Mark Borde, Co-President of Freestyle Releasing; and the principals of HFPD, David Jackson, Rann Watumull, Gina Watumull and Shauna Shapiro Jackson.
Said Susan Jackson: “This is a hilarious film with a fantastic cast and we are delighted to team up with Hawaii Film Partners on the domestic distribution of the film.” Added Rann Watumull: “Freestyle is exactly the type of company we wanted to partner with because it provides smart theatrical distribution expertise and accountability in a collaborative working environment.”
The film, which was shot on location in Honolulu, Chicago and Los Angeles, has also been licensed in virtually every territory outside the U.S. and boasts an impressive supporting cast including Tia Carrere (“True Lies”), Kevin Dunn (“Luck”), Vinnie Jones (“Kill the Irishman”), Stephen Tobolowsky (“Groundhog Day”) and Ken Davitian (“Borat”).
About Freestyle Digital Media:
Freestyle Digital Media, LLC was launched in November 2011 by its CEO Susan Jackson who is Co-President and founder of independent theatrical distributor Freestyle Releasing, LLC and North American sales company Turtles Crossing, LLC. Freestyle Digital Media supplies quality commercial film and TV content directly to all US VOD/SVOD rental DVD/Kiosks and theaters using the latest cloud-based technologies to automate digital workflow. Freestyle’s goal is to provide fresh, well-marketed product and stay on the cutting edge of the ever-compressing windows to ensure that their partners benefit from a platform that delivers an anytime-anywhere capability in the medium of their choice and a positive digital viewing experience on any device in any location.
About Hawaii Film Partners Distribution:
Hawaii Film Partners Distribution was created in August, 2010 by Hawaii Film Partners (HFP) to vertically integrate HFP’s varied and successful theatrical, animated and television production slate with its own worldwide distribution platform. In the future, Hawaii Film Partners Distribution also plans to distribute worthy original independent projects to U.S. and world markets as well. Said Gina Watumull: “There are a lot of excellent independent entertainment projects out there that the studios and networks miss. Because independents don’t necessarily fit in well-worn niches, they’re often challenged in distribution and get discouraged by hitting well-established industry glass ceilings. HFPD wants to shift that paradigm.”
Press Release: ‘Beauty Is Embarrassing’ Opening Announced
Irreverent, Award-Winning Documentary BEAUTY IS EMBARRASSING Opens September 7, 2012 in NY, LA and Seattle
“Who said there’s no second acts in American life? F. Scott Fitzgerald? F-you F. Scott Fitzgerald.” – Wayne White
Los Angeles, CA — Future You Pictures, in association with Tremolo Productions and Eddie Schmidt Productions, is proud to announce the upcoming theatrical release of the award-winning documentary Beauty Is Embarrassing, one of the year’s most celebrated festival hits since its premiere at South by Southwest (SXSW) in March. The film will open in New York at the IFC Center, in Los Angeles at the Sundance Cinema Sunset (formerly the Sunset 5), and in Seattle at the Northwest Film Forum on September 7, 2012, and will expand to key cities throughout the Fall.
For over 30 years, Wayne White has made an indelible mark on the creative world. As a designer, painter, puppeteer, sculptor, and musician, White created images and ideas that are an integral part of the pop culture lexicon, including his infamous word paintings featuring pithy phrases such as “I Blame LA” finely crafted onto vintage landscape reproductions. To this day, White gets up every morning to do the only thing his body and mind were made to do…create; whether anyone acknowledges it, or not. “I believe humor is sacred. Humor is one of the most important things we have,” says White in the film. Part biography, part live performance, part raucous comedy, Beauty Is Embarrassing tells the inspiring story of this one-of-a-kind visual artist and raconteur. First time filmmaker Neil Berkeley traveled with White through Houston, Miami, New York, Chattanooga, Nashville and Los Angeles, retracing White’s steps from childhood to present day, while covering his creative process and prolific career including his work as an underground cartoonist, his big break as a designer, puppeteer and voice-over actor on Pee-wee’s Playhouse, for which he won three Emmys, as well as his eventual Hollywood crash and finally, his reemergence as a fine artist.
The film features new interviews with Matt Groening, Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Oldham, Mimi Pond, and Paul Reubens and includes never-before-seen behind the scenes footage from the making of Pee-wee’s Playhouse.
Following its premiere at SXSW, Beauty Is Embarrassing was screened at prestigious festivals including Full Frame, Hot Docs, Silverdocs, LA Film Fest and won Best Documentary and Audience awards at a number of regional festivals. The film was also nominated for a Writers Guild of America East award for best nonfiction screenplay.
Future You Pictures presents in association with Tremolo Productions Beauty Is Embarrassing featuring Wayne White, Mimi Pond, Mark Mothersbaugh, Todd Oldham, Matt Groening, Gary Panter, Ric Heitzman, Paul Reubens. Edited by Chris Bradley, with additional editing by Kevin Klauber. Directors of Photography Neil Berkeley and Chris Bradley. Executive Producers Aimee Bothwell, Bart McDonough and Eddie Schmidt. Produced by Neil Berkeley, Chris Bradley, Milan Erceg and Morgan Neville. Co-Produced by Liah Corral and Anthony Maiuri. Written by Neil Berkeley, Chris Bradley and Kevin Klauber. Directed by Neil Berkeley.
Future You Pictures is a Los Angeles film and television production company founded in 2009 by Neil Berkeley. Beauty Is Embarrassing is the company’s first feature documentary production and Neil Berkeley’s directorial debut. The company is currently developing a roster of television and film projects. Future You Pictures is one of several companies controlled by The Berkeley Group which also owns BRKLY Creative, which is a design-based production company focusing on motion graphics for television, film and commercials.
Tremolo Productions is one of the top documentary companies in the U.S. focusing on the cultural arts. Since its founding in 1999 by filmmaker Morgan Neville, Tremolo has made an unparalleled slate of music documentaries ranging from Hank Williams and Stax Records to Iggy Pop and The Brill Building, while receiving three Grammy nominations. Other award-winning productions include Pearl Jam Twenty and The Union (with Elton John and Leon Russell) for director Cameron Crowe, The Night James Brown Saved Boston, and Ray Charles America. Tremolo has also worked on a variety of other film projects including those on language, art, film, and politics including The Cool School, Burn and Beauty Is Embarrassing. Tremolo is currently finishing films on Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project and The Rolling Stones 50th anniversary.
Eddie Schmidt is the maker of Oscar- and Emmy-nominated documentaries and television and former Board President of IDA (International Documentary Association). Schmidt’s films as producer include four Sundance Film Festival premieres: This Film Is Not Yet Rated, Troubadours, Chain Camera, and the Academy-Award nominated Twist of Faith. In 2011, Schmidt engineered a theatrical and multi-platform release for Harry Shearer’s The Big Uneasy and has assembled a similar team for Beauty Is Embarrassing, for which he is one of the Executive Producers. Since its premiere at SXSW, Eddie Schmidt and Tremolo’s Morgan Neville have repped the film worldwide.
Press Release: The Weinstein Company to Give Away e-Books for ‘The Intouchables’ Inspiration
MASSIVE E-BOOK GIVEAWAY FOR THE INTOUCHABLES MOVIE GOERS YOU CHANGED MY LIFE: A MEMOIR GIVES FIRST HAND ACCOUNT OF TRUE STORY THAT INSPIRED THE WORLDWIDE RECORD BREAKING COMEDY
New York, NY – July 26, 2012 – The Weinstein Company (TWC) and Weinstein Books announced today that they, along with partners Amazon, Apple, B&N.com, and Sony, plan to give away free eBook copies of You Changed My Life: A Memoir to all of THE INTOUCHABLES moviegoers between July 27 and August 3. The book was written by Abdel Sellou, the man whose life THE INTOUCHABLES is based off of, and tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a French aristocrat quadriplegic and the high-spirited, low-class Algerian ex con, played in the film by César Award winning Omar Sy (Omar et Fred), hired to serve as his hands and feet. You Changed My Life: A Memoir is available wherever books are sold now.
Everyone who buys a ticket to see THE INTOUCHABLES between July 27 and August 3 will receive a card from participating theaters with information on how to redeem the free eBook, published by Weinstein Books, a member of The Perseus Books Group.
In real life, Sellou, the man who not only faithfully served but truly saved the severely disabled Philippe Pozzo di Borgo, played by François Cluzet (TELL NO ONE) in the film, is as ebullient and impertinent as the movie’s character, but much more complicated and guarded about his past. In this book, he breaks his long silence about his turbulent youth and unexpected awakening and writes, with striking honesty and humor, about his unrestricted upbringing, his formative years as a thief and con artist, and his time in prison. Throughout, he accepts responsibility for his mistakes (and misdemeanors), and above all, he expresses his profound gratitude to Pozzo – his boss, teacher, and friend – for putting an end to his carefree life of indifference and aimlessness. He reveals how, thanks to Philippe, he eventually learned to live differently – with limits, with responsibilities, and with empathy – and like it.
“The response to the film has been incredible worldwide and in the U.S.,” said Weinstein Books Publishing Director Georgina Levitt. “The stories Abdel shares in his memoir will undoubtedly move, entertain, and touch the hearts of all readers. We thank our partners who have joined us in bringing this book to everyone who experiences THE INTOUCHABLES over the next week.”
THE INTOUCHABLES, directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano, has become this year’s highest grossing foreign language film in North America surpassing Academy Award© winning A SEPARATION for the record. This milestone comes even before the film’s July 27th nationwide expansion and follows an expansive list of global and domestic acclaim and box office records.
The film has the third highest gross of all time in France and is the highest grossing French film in Germany ever, and has held the #1 spot in many countries around the world. Currently the worldwide gross is $356 million and counting.
The audience response in the U.S. matches the international love of the film. The film’s stars Francois Cluzet and Omar Sy, winner of this year’s César Award for Best Actor, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, have chemistry and charm that make for one of the most feel good films of our time. THE INTOUCHABLES has garnered awards at film festivals all around the country this year including: the ColCoa Film Festival’s Audience Award and Critics Special Prize; the San Francisco International Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature; the Florida Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best International Feature; the Wisconsin Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Film; the Nashville Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature; and the Maui Film Festival’s Audience Award for Narrative Feature World Cinema.
THE INTOUCHABLES – SYNOPSIS
An irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility, THE INTOUCHABLES has broken box office records in its native France and across Europe. Based on a true story of friendship between a handicap millionaire (Francois Cluzet) and his street smart ex-con caretaker (Omar Sy), THE INTOUCHABLES depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common. Directed Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache, the film was nominated for a total of nine 2012 César Awards, France’s equivalent to the Oscars, including Best Picture, and winning Best Actor for breakout star Omar Sy, and won the Grand Prize at the 2011 Tokyo International Film Festival.
ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes. TWC releases took home eight 2012 Academy Awards®, the most wins in the studio’s history. The tally included Best Picture for Michel Hazanavicius’s THE ARTIST and Best Documentary Feature for TJ Martin and Dan Lindsay’s UNDEFEATED. THE ARTIST brought TWC its second consecutive Best Picture statuette following the 2011 win for Tom Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH.
Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; I’M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE; THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; SCRE4M; SUBMARINE; DIRTY GIRL; APOLLO 18; OUR IDIOT BROTHER; I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT; SARAH’S KEY; SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D; MY WEEK WITH MARILYN; THE IRON LADY; W.E.; CORIOLANUS; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; and BULLY. Currently in release are EASY MONEY and THE INTOUCHABLES. Upcoming releases include LAWLESS; KILLING THEM SOFTLY; THE MASTER; and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. Currently in production is DJANGO UNCHAINED.
TWC is also active in television production, led by former Miramax Films President of Production and current President of Television Meryl Poster, with credits including the Emmy® nominated and Peabody Award winning reality series Project Runway, spin-off series Project Accessory and Project Runway All Stars, the VH1 reality series Mob Wives, and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency which also received a Peabody Award. The company is currently in pre-production on the martial-arts epic Marco Polo for Starz as well as production on the second season of Mob Wives and the newest installment in the series’ franchise Mob Wives Chicago. TWC additionally has 17 series in different stages of development, including The Nanny Diaries, being adapted for ABC by Amy Sherman Palladino (Gilmore Girls).
ABOUT THE PERSEUS BOOKS GROUP
The Perseus Books Group is an independent company committed to enabling independent book publishers to reach their potential, whether those publishers are Perseus-owned, joint ventures, or owned by third parties. Perseus publishing imprints include Avalon Travel, Basic Books, Basic Civitas, Da Capo Press, Da Capo Lifelong Books, PublicAffairs, Running Press, Seal Press, Vanguard Press, and Westview Press, as well as partnerships with The Newsweek/Daily Beast Company, The Nation Institute, and The Weinstein Company. Recent New York Times bestsellers published by Weinstein Books include Knowing Your Value by Mika Brzezinski, The Lean by Kathy Freston, Raquel by Raquel Welch, and My Remarkable Journey by Larry King. For more information, visit our websites at www.weinsteinbooks.com
Press Release: The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to Honor ‘The Intouchables’
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to Honor THE INTOUCHABLES at ‘A Magical Evening’ Gala
THE INTOUCHABLES is the First Film Ever to Be Honored by the Organization – Harvey Weinstein to Accept Dana Reeve HOPE Award on Behalf of The Weinstein Company and Film Directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache at Annual Star-Studded Fundraising Gala in New York City on November 28, 2012
SHORT HILLS, N.J. (July 27, 2012) — The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the nation’s leading nonprofit providing care to those living with paralysis and advancing research into treatments and cures for spinal cord injury, will honor international box office record breaking film THE INTOUCHABLES at its annual star-studded A Magical Evening fundraising gala on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The Weinstein Company Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein will accept the Dana Reeve HOPE Award at the gala reception on behalf of TWC and the film’s directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache.
Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation, stated, “the Dana Reeve HOPE Award is presented to a person or organization that has shown amazing grace, strength and fortitude. The recipient of this award is dedicated to continuing the hope that Dana Reeve brought to the world and to the millions of people living with paralysis. It is only fitting that we honor The Intouchables for touching audiences worldwide and reminding us of the commonalities shared between all of us, no matter the circumstances.”
Having received worldwide critical acclaim and international box office success, THE INTOUCHABLES is an irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility that has warmed the hearts of millions. Based on a true story of friendship between a millionaire (François Cluzet of TELL NO ONE) living with paralysis due to a spinal cord injury and his street smart ex-con caretaker (breakout star Omar Sy), THE INTOUCHABLES depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common.
Since its release, THE INTOUCHABLES has shattered box-office records worldwide to become the third highest grossing film of all time in France, the highest grossing French film in Germany ever, and has held the #1 spot in many countries around the world grossing over $356 million worldwide and counting. The film is currently playing in theaters throughout the U.S. and has won multiple awards at film festivals around the country including: the ColCoa Film Festival’s Audience Award and Critics Special Prize; the Florida Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best International Feature; the Wisconsin Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Film; and the Nashville Film Festival’s Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.
“On behalf of Eric and Olivier and TWC, I would like to express how humbled we are to be recognized by one of the most inspirational and forward thinking organizations of our time,” said Weinstein. “Christopher and Dana Reeve have bettered the lives of millions, and the fact that this film is the first ever to be honored by them shows us how the film’s true story touches the hearts of so many like it did ours.”
Wilderotter added, “We have always honored individuals and corporations that embody our mission to further the quality of life for those living with paralysis. After seeing this extraordinary film, we felt compelled to honor all of the individuals who helped bring this film and its inspirational story to light. This film captures the Foundation’s mission of ‘Today’s Care, Tomorrow’s Cure’ and we are passionate about sharing its empowering message with our community.”
This year’s gala will also honor longtime Foundation supporter and current board member Paul Daversa and Daversa Partners, Inc. with the Christopher Reeve Spirit of Courage Award and feature a special live performance by recording artists Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo.
Proceeds from A Magical Evening will benefit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the benefit office at (212) 763-8594 or email ReeveFoundation@cmevents.net.
ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes. TWC releases took home eight 2012 Academy Awards®, the most wins in the studio’s history. The tally included Best Picture for Michel Hazanavicius’s THE ARTIST and Best Documentary Feature for TJ Martin and Dan Lindsay’s UNDEFEATED. THE ARTIST brought TWC its second consecutive Best Picture statuette following the 2011 win for Tom Hooper’s THE KING’S SPEECH.
Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; I’M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE; THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; SCRE4M; SUBMARINE; DIRTY GIRL; APOLLO 18; OUR IDIOT BROTHER; I DON’T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT; SARAH’S KEY; SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D; MY WEEK WITH MARILYN; THE IRON LADY; W.E.; CORIOLANUS; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; and BULLY. Currently in release are EASY MONEY and THE INTOUCHABLES. Upcoming releases include LAWLESS; KILLING THEM SOFTLY; THE MASTER; and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. Currently in production is DJANGO UNCHAINED.
TWC is also active in television production, led by former Miramax Films President of Production and current President of Television Meryl Poster, with credits including the Emmy® nominated and Peabody Award winning reality series Project Runway, spin-off series Project Accessory and Project Runway All Stars, the VH1 reality series Mob Wives, and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency which also received a Peabody Award. The company is currently in pre-production on the martial-arts epic Marco Polo for Starz as well as production on the second season of Mob Wives and the newest installment in the series’ franchise Mob Wives Chicago. TWC additionally has 17 series in different stages of development, including The Nanny Diaries, being adapted for ABC by Amy Sherman Palladino (Gilmore Girls).
ABOUT THE CHRISTOPHER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information or to make a donation to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, please call (800) 225-0292 or visit http://www.ChristopherReeve.org.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.