16.02.04
The
world's movie industry dives into Deep Blue with new theatrical
distribution deals
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Worldwide and Greenlight Media have signed a deal with Optimum Releasing
- one of the UK's leading independent film distributors of international
films - for it to acquire distribution rights in the UK, Ireland,
Malta and Gibraltar for the extraordinary feature-length ocean documentary,
Deep Blue. Optimum Releasing will release the film early summer
2004 in approximately 30 cinemas.
Other
deals were also signed last week at the Berlin Film Festival. Hopscotch
will distribute Deep Blue in Australia and New Zealand; Cineart
will do the same in Belgium; A-Films has taken Deep Blue for the
Netherlands; Odeon is releasing it in Greece; and Shani Films is
the distributor in Israel.
Nikolaus
Weil, Chief Operating Officer of Greenlight Media said: "We
knew that there's a market and a growing audience for this kind
of niche film. But the openings in major markets such as Germany
clearly have gone beyond our most optimistic expectations. I am
confident that audiences in other territories will appreciate this
unique filmic experience as well."
Will
Clarke, Managing Director, Optimum Releasing added: "We're
absolutely delighted to acquire this stunning film which makes for
an amazing cinematic experience. We look forward to positioning
the film as one of the must see events of 2004."
Troy Lum, of Hopscotch Films said: "Coming from the home of
the Great Barrier Reef we are extremely excited to be releasing
this majestic film. After our tremendous success with Winged Migration
we are confident that Deep Blue will harness the great affinity
that Australians have with the ocean."
Rupert
Gavin, Chief Executive Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide, commenting on the deals added:
"We are very excited to have so many more deals for the movie
around the globe. The growing international interest in this breathtaking
documentary illustrates Deep Blue has universal appeal, and we are
elated that such a wide audience is able to enjoy the experience."
The
success of Deep Blue in Germany continues to grow, with box office
figures up 8% week on week with admissions standing at 225,000.
When the movie opened in Germany it achieved massive audiences during
it's opening weekend, beating acclaimed Hollywood films such as
Lost In Translation, Finding Nemo and Freaky Friday. By doing so,
the movie received a 'Bogey' - the German Box Office Award given
to features with a strong box office opening.
France
also had a promising opening weekend, coming fourth in box office
ratings, and gained over 240,000 admissions in its first week of
release.
Alix
Tidmarsh, Producer of Deep Blue and Director of IPM at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide
said: "I am delighted that there has been such a fantastic
reception from all the distributors around the world for this film.
It proves it is worth following a dream and I thank all the contributors,
especially the Production Team, George Fenton and Greenlight Media
for helping make it happen."
Sophokles
Tasioulis, Producer of Deep Blue and Vice President of Production,
Greenlight Media added: "Seeing the film performing at this
level is a unique feeling and makes one forget all the effort and
the countless hours invested by the entire team in order to make
this dream come true."
Deep
Blue explores life above, below and far beneath the ocean's surface
and was inspired by the hugely successful international series,
The Blue Planet, co-produced by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ and Discovery Channel. The
film features an exhilarating score from renowned composer George
Fenton, performed by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra (its first-ever
recording of a movie score), and is narrated by Michael Gambon.
Following
the film's launch at the 51st Donostia - San Sebastian International
Film Festival in September last year, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide and Greenlight
Media have now secured distribution agreements for Deep Blue in
markets such as Spain, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, Greece,
Japan and most recently, in the US with Miramax.
Filmed
in more than 200 locations around the world with camera crews descending
as far as 5,000 meters in the most powerful submersible craft known,
Deep Blue was directed by Alastair Fothergill and Andy Byatt, produced
by Alix Tidmarsh and Sophokles Tasioulis and executive producers
were Nikolaus Weil, Stefan Beiten, Andre Sikojev and Mike Phillips.
Deep
Blue is the first of several co-productions planned between Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
Worldwide and Greenlight Media pursuant to a multi-picture deal.
Notes
to editors:
Greenlight Media provides development, finance, production
and distribution for international quality films. It is committed
to delivering strong entertainment brands to audiences all around
the world in both film and non-film media. Founded in 1993, Greenlight
Media took off with the launch of the wildly successful animated
TV series 'SimsalaGrimm', Germany's number one exported TV series
of all time. Greenlight Media has previously produced television
and theatrical documentaries such as Sandstones, Iceland-Realm of
the Gods and Giorgio Armani - A Man for All Seasons.
Optimum
Releasing: Since its inception in 1999, Optimum Releasing has
established itself as one of the UK's leading independent film distributors
of international films with box offices successes including Amores
Perros, American Splendor, Elephant and Spirited Away. The company
has recently acquired the new Michael Moore documentary Fahrenheit
911 and has executive produced Shane Meadows latest film Dead Man's
Shoes.
Hopscotch
Films is a distribution company, which has specialized in the
distribution of Art house Films and theatrical documentaries in
the rapidly growing niche market. In its first twelve months of
existence it has become the most successful independent distributor
in the Australian territory. Last year Hopscotch has released titles
such as Bowling For Columbine, Nowhere In Africa and Travelling
Birds (Winged Migration). Its upcoming slate includes SPELLBOUND,
GOODBYE LENIN! and THE BARBARIAN INVASIONS. Hopscotch is managed
by Troy Lum and Frank Cox.
Cineart
was founded in 1997, (sister of CinΓ©libre created in 1975)
and is active in the acquisition and distribution of titles (feature
and documentaries) through theatrical, video and television media.
Eliane du Bois is the Head of Cineart. Her aim has always been to
focus on titles reflecting the actual state of the world. Cineart
focuses both major directors (David Lynch, Mike Leigh, Ken Loach,
Almodovar, Lars Von trier, Emir Kusturica, Kiarostami) and promotes
more commercial titles (Taxi, Lord of the rings, Tais-toi) in order
to maintain a steady compromise between commercial titles and quality
titles. Cineart's hit titles have included Microcosmos, Bowling
for Columbine, Chicken Run and The Pianist. This mixture of styles
and talents makes it possible to use every available tool to increase
the interest of each title. This mix reflects a comprehensive image
of the cinema as an art and as an industry.
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