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Bryan Westbrook
Regent Releasing
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bwestbrook@regentreleasing.com
Jeff Sanderson
Chasen & Company
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Regent Acquires U.S. Rights For “Shake Hands with the Devil”
Drama based on Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire’s award-winning book
LOS ANGELES – February 26, 2009 – Regent Releasing, a leading independent U.S. film distributor, announced today that it has acquired U.S. distribution rights to the docudrama “Shake Hands With The Devil,” from EMMYÒ-nominated director Roger Spottiswoode and OSCARÒ-winning producer Michael Donovan of “Bowling for Columbine.” Regent acquired the film from Halifax Film, a DHX Media company and will distribute the film in the summer of 2009.
Nominated for 13 Genie Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Academy Award) including Best Motion Picture and Best Achievement in Direction, “Shake Hands With The Devil” is based on the acclaimed best-selling book by Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire. The film was directed by Roger Spottiswoode (“Tomorrow Never Dies” and EMMYÒ-nominated drama “And The Band Played On.”) The film stars the award-winning actor Roy Dupuis as Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire and Deborah Kara Unger as Emma.
“Regent is honored to bring Lieutenant-General Dallaire’s inspiring story to US audiences this summer,” said Mark Reinhart, General Manager and Executive Vice President Distribution and Acquisitions for Regent. “’Shake Hands With The Devil’ illustrates a beautiful message of humanity through the perseverance and courageous acts of one man.”
“Shake Hands With The Devil” marks one of many additions to an impressive slate of first-rate and thought-provoking world cinema, which Regent has acquired in recent months. Upcoming releases include the 2008 Academy AwardÒ winner for Best Foreign Language Film, “Departures,” the 2008 Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury prize winner “Tokyo Sonata,” Iran's Official entry for the 81st Academy AwardsÒ, “The Song of Sparrows,” the 2008 Cannes Official Competition entry “Serbis,” and two-time Annie Award nominee, “$9.99.”
The film has already garnered attention and support from activist organizations around the world including, Amnesty International and American Red Cross. On Tuesday, February 24, “Shake Hands With The Devil” was screened at BAFTA. The special screening of the film hosted by Time Magazine International, International Crisis Group and Bono’s ONE Organization. Following the screening, a distinguished panel including, Simon Robinson (Senior Editor Time Europe), Lord Malloch Brown (UK’s Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN), Justin Forsyth (Gordon Brown’s policy adviser) singer Bob Geldof, the film’s director Roger Spottiswoode, Colonel Bob Stewart (who headed the first UN mission to Bosnia) and Donald Steinberg (head of the International Crisis Group and President Clinton's advisor on Africa) discussed the issues raised by the film.
In 1993, the United Nations dispatches Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire (Roy Dupuis) to far-off Rwanda to oversee a fragile cease-fire. The peace agreement between the rebels (led by the minority Tutsi ethnic group) and the Hutu majority group was on shaky ground. When an unknown group shoots down the Rwandan President's plane, the storm breaks and a secret genocidal campaign against the Tutsi minority begins with a night of terror in Kigali. Dallaire is forced to deal with far-away superiors and the studied indifference of the world's great powers while trying to take decisive action to stop the genocide of more than 800,000 innocent civilians.
"I am enormously pleased that it is Regent who will distribute the film in the US,” said Roger Spottiswoode. “They have the wisdom, talent and tenacity to find the audience for this film about a truly extraordinary man and a hero of our time who lived through a tragedy that was timeless."
The acquisition of “Shake Hands with the Devil” was negotiated by Mark Reinhart for Regent and International Creative Management, which represented U.S. rights and also represents director Spottiswoode.
For more information about the film, please visit http://www.shakehands-
About Regent Releasing
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 Dali and Federico 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.”
For more information, please visit www.regentreleasing.com.
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