Monday, January 31, 2011

Start-up Distributor Motion Film Group Acquires Worldwide Rights to Sundance Competition Drama Gun Hill Road

Great news for the Bronx!!!! The film "Gun Hill Road", which was exclusively filmed in the Bronx at the DEMAND of Bronx director Rashaad Ernesto not only made Sundance; it was also SOLD. It is extremely exciting to me since I helped find many of the primary locations for the film. It was a great experience being part of the production and I am ecstatic that all their hard work paid off. There will definitely be more posts on this topic. Here is to their success and more film related business in the Bronx!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

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January 27, 2011 (Park City, UT) – Motion Film Group, Inc., a newly formed independent film venture from entertainment financier Fotis Georgiadis, has acquired the worldwide sales and distribution rights to writer/director Rashaad Ernesto Green’s debut feature Gun Hill Road, which premiered to a sold-out crowd and standing ovation at Sundance on Monday, January 24 in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. The coming-of-age drama set in The Bronx stars Esai Morales (“Caprica,” “NYPD Blue”), Judy Reyes (“Scrubs”), and Isiah Whitlock Jr. (Cedar Rapids, “The Wire”). Ronna Wallace of Eastgate Pictures LLC along with Andre Des Rochers, Esq. of Gray Krauss Des Rochers LLP negotiated the seven-figure deal on behalf of Gun Hill Road producers Ron Simons of SimonSays Entertainment and Michelle-anne M. Small.

Motion Film Group plans to release the film theatrically in early summer, with an initial U.S. launch into New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Further theatrical expansion will occur throughout the summer, with video release likely in the fall. The company also plans to debut the film to the international buyers market at the Cannes Film Festival and Marche du Film in May.

Gun Hill Road follows macho ex-con Enrique (Morales) who returns to the Bronx after his latest prison sentence to find the world he once knew has turned upside down. While his wife, Angela (Reyes), struggles to hide an emotional affair, his now-teenage son, Michael, explores a sexual transformation well beyond Enrique’s grasp. Unable to accept his child, Enrique clings to his masculine ideals while Angela attempts to hold the family together and protect Michael. Still under the watchful eye of his parole officer (Isiah Whitlock, Jr.), Enrique must become the father he needs to be or, once again, risk losing his family and freedom.

The film features performances by seasoned actors Morales, Reyes, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Franky G, Vincent Laresca, Miriam Colon, and Vanessa Aspillaga, as well as acting debuts by extraordinary people Green discovered on the streets and subways of New York City, including newcomer Harmony Santana, who portrays the conflicted teenager in the story.

Motion Film Group’s Georgiadis previously worked as the principal financier behind the acquisition and release of “Hounddog” from Empire Film Group in 2008 and director Joel Schumacher’s “Twelve” from Hannover House last summer. The formation of Motion Film Group represents the next step toward independence and control over all new entertainment investments being pursued.

3 comments:

Boogiedowner said...

Of all the good things to comment on about this article you focus is on 1 typo. Why not concentrate on the positive items touched upon by this blog and press release. Here are a few;

1- A Bronx film director’s film made it to Sundance and the movie he directed was sold.
2- A young child that lives in 2045 Southern Blvd., which was one of the major locations where the film was shot, had the opportunity to be an actor in the film.
3- A few HDFC Bronx buildings were able to earn a few extra dollars for vacant apartments and in turn spend a few extra dollars on building maintenance.
4- Some one is taking time out of their busy day to help promote positive happenings in the Bronx.

I can create a much longer list but I don’t need to. It has been a week and I have been posting between phone calls and appointments. As some revenue comes in will spend funds on proof readers and the like. I did read and do appreciate your concerns. Are there any typos in this comment?

Gregory

Anonymous said...

Holy good Lord, you are really deleting any negative comment. You are such a fraud.

Unknown said...

Congrats! Do you have a main number for Motion Film Group? My company, Happy Hour Creative, produces trailers/ international sizzle reels for WBs, Fox and Summit - I wanted to reach out to them. Thanks! Stephanie stephanie@happyhourcreative.com