Warner Independent Pictures Finds “Paradise Now” In Berlin 2005

(February 22, 2005 - Berlin) – Warner Independent Pictures acquired today all rights in North America and the UK to “Paradise Now,” the third feature by Hany Abu-Assad, announced Mark Gill, President of Warner Independent Pictures. The deal was negotiated by Paul Federbush, SVP Production and Acquisitions, Warner Independent Pictures, and Hengameh Panahi and Charlotte Mickie of Celluloid Dreams. “Paradise Now” was written by Abu-Assad and Bero Beyer, and produced by Bero Beyer of Augustus Film. “Paradise Now” follows two Palestinian childhood friends who have been recruited as suicide bombers and selected for a strike on Tel Aviv; the plot focuses on their last day together. When they are intercepted at the Israeli border, they are separated from their handlers and events force them to reconsider their decisions. The film gives voice to the Palestinian condemnation of violence while offering insights into the individuals behind such heinous crimes. “The combination of the Audience Award and Amnesty International Award for ‘Paradise Now’ in Berlin prove what we have always believed about the movie — that the film is humanistic and balanced, politically scrupulous and accessible.” says Panahi. She continues: “The release of this movie in America will be an historic event. We are very proud that the distributor will be Warner Independent Pictures.” Interestingly, the Israeli Film Fund announced in Berlin, that it would offer the film the same distribution support offered to other home-produced features when it opens in Israel. Warner Independent Pictures plans to release the film in October 2005. “Paradise Now” was awarded the AGICOA’s Blue Angel Award for the Best European Film, the Amnesty International Film Prize and the Berliner Morgenpost Readers’ Prize in Berlin last weekend. Warner Independent Pictures, founded in August 2003, finances, produces, acquires and will theatrically distribute up to 10 feature films per year largely budgeted under $20 million. It is a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company based on the Studio lot in Burbank. Warner Independent Pictures will release “The Jacket,” directed by John Maybury and starring Adrien Brody and Keira Knightley, on March 4, 2005. Past releases include “Before Sunset,” “We Don’t Live Here Anymore” and “A Very Long Engagement.” Celluloid Dreams was founded by its President, Hengameh Panahi in 1993. The organization is an independent international sales, production and distribution company based in Paris, with offices in Berlin and Toronto. Celluloid Dreams specializes in promoting and distributing award-winning theatrically-driven films created by talented directors from all over the world. Films from the current line-up include Francois Ozon’s “5X2”, Hans Weingartner’s “THE EDUKATORS,” Jacques Audiard’s “THE BEAT MY HEART SKIPPED” and Todd Solondz’s “PALINDROMES.” # # #