AREA23A TO RELEASE
“BEST WORST MOVIE”
New York, NY (February 25, 2010) – Area23A, the event-based film distribution company formed in January by industry veteran Richard Abramowitz and Kirt Eftekhar, founder of Ocule Films, announced today that it will theatrically release the award-winning “Best Worst Movie” which has been an official selection in over thirty film festivals.
BEST WORST MOVIE will open in the following markets with additional cities to be announced (2010 dates):
- April 23 – Austin, Alamo Drafthouse
- May 14 – New York City, Village East Cinema
- May 21 – Los Angeles, Landmark Nuart
- June 4 – San Francisco, Landmark Lumiere
- June 4 – Berkeley, Landmark Shattuck
- July 2 - Washington D.C., Landmark E Street Cinema
- July 16 - St. Louis, Landmark Tivoli
- July 23 - Atlanta, Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
In “Best Worst Movie” Michael Paul Stephenson makes his directorial debut by exploring one of the worst and most critically panned movies ever made, Troll 2, which he starred in twenty years ago as a child.
In 1989, Italian director, Claudio Fragrasso cast small-town dentist Dr. George Hardy and a group of unwitting Utah actors in the ultra-low budget horror film, Troll 2. Soon after its disastrous release, Dr. Hardy retired from his short-lived acting career and returned to dentistry in his hometown of Alabama, unaware of the legions of fans that would one day recognize him as a cult movie luminary.
“Best Worst Movie” reveals the improbable heartfelt story of an Alabama dentist-turned-cult-movie icon and an Italian filmmaker as they come to terms with their internationally revered cinematic failure.
Stephenson and his wife, Lindsay Stephenson produced "Best Worst Movie" under their production company, Magic Stone Productions. Brad Klopman also produced and Doug Mankoff of Echo Lake is the producer’s rep for the film.
Of the acquisition, Stephenson says “Our movie – that we have devoted the last four years to – can not be in better hands than with Area23a. They have demonstrated their ability to skillfully handle specialized films in a crowded market place. The recent success of “Anvil!” is only the most recent example of Richard’s expertise in theatrical film distribution.”
Abramowitz adds “We are very excited to bring ‘Best Worst Movie’ to theaters across the country. The movie has been generating both incredible word-of-mouth and critical acclaim through the festival circuit. Audiences are appreciating the film’s humor and are also moved by its homage to bad movies and, at least in this case, the good people who make them.” Said Eftekhar, "Keep your eyes open: we're bringing a "Best Worst Movie/Troll 2" party to your town soon..."
www.bestworstmovie.com
AUSTIN OPENING EVENT DETAILS
Join the cast of BEST WORST MOVIE in Austin for a special Q&A event and party!
What: Opening night of BEST WORST MOVIE
Who: Dr. George Hardy, writer/director Michael Paul Stephenson, and additional cast members to be announced
Where: Screening with cast Q&A, Alamo Drafthouse (http://www.drafthouse.com/)
After-party with cast in attendance, The Highball (http://www.thehighball.com/)
When: Friday, April 23, 2010 - Screening times to be announced
After-party, immediately following opening night screenings
Details: Join the cast of BEST WORST MOVIE on opening night! Dr. George Hardy and writer/director Michael Paul Stephenson will answer audience questions at a live Q&A event following opening night screenings. Afterwards, attendees are invited to attend the official BEST WORST MOVIE after-party at The Highball. Entry to the “Troll 2” themed party is free with screening ticket stubs. BEST WORST MOVIE cast and crew will be in attendance as the infamous “Troll 2” plays at the event.
Area23a is currently distributing the acclaimed “Soundtrack for a Revolution,” “The Mighty Uke,” “American Harmony,” and “They Came to Play.” Later this year it will release Sandy Cioffi's “Sweet Crude."
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