Actor Also Producing Off-Beat, On the Beach Comedy, Which Is Due for
Release in Late Summer
BURBANK, Calif., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Matthew McConaughey plays the
dual role of star and producer on the new comedy SURFER, DUDE, which Anchor
Bay Entertainment has acquired for release in the U.S. Anchor Bay
Entertainment President Bill Clark announced the deal today.
Anchor Bay Entertainment plans to release McConaughey's SURFER, DUDE
late this summer followed by release on DVD and other home entertainment
formats. It stars McConaughey along with Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson,
Scott Glenn, and a strong cast of fresh faces including Alexie Gilmore,
Nathan Phillips, Ramon Rodriguez, Sarah Wright, Zachary Knighton, and
Jeffrey Nordling, in a film directed and co-written (with Cory Van Dyke) by
S.R. Bindler, director of Hands on a Hard Body. Jason Berk and Matt Lane
executive produced and financed the picture through Berk|Lane
Entertainment, with additional financing provided by Winchester Capital
Management. McConaughey's production company, jklivin, produced.
SURFER, DUDE tells the tale of a soul-searching surfer who is
experiencing an existential crisis. McConaughey stars as Steve Addington
who finishes a world surf tour and returns to his hometown of Malibu. At
first, it's a great reunion but reality quickly sets in.
"SURFER, DUDE is about a surfer who lives to surf. When the waves
disappear for an entire summer -- he goes mad," said producer Mark
Gustawes. "Matthew plays a character who's a throwback to the '70s: Peace,
love, and a righteous wave is what SURFER, DUDE is all about. Anchor Bay
dug it -- and we decided to surf it, together."
The film is the latest theatrical release from Anchor Bay
Entertainment, the country's leading independent home entertainment
company. It recently scored strong reviews and box office for The Grand and
Sex and Death 101. Anchor Bay Entertainment is a subsidiary of Starz Media.
"The acquisition of SURFER, DUDE underscores where this company is
headed," Clark said. "We will continue to acquire strong titles for
theatrical and DVD release while maximizing the abilities of the various
divisions at Starz, including our global sales team and the premium
entertainment channels. We're excited about working with talent of Matthew
McConaughey's caliber, as well as the creative production team assembled
for this fun project."
"We're pleased to be working with Anchor Bay Entertainment on the
release of SURFER, DUDE," stated Berk and Lane jointly. "This new
relationship affords us some unique opportunities across many platforms."
The deal was negotiated by CAA and Mark Ward and Josh Thomashow of
Anchor Bay Entertainment.
About Berk|Lane Entertainment
Beverly Hills-based Berk|Lane Entertainment (formerly Union Square
Entertainment) was founded and is headed by Jason Berk and Matt Lane. The
company specializes in producing and financing mid-budget indie films which
challenge filmmakers and inspire audiences, developing projects internally
and financing those from outside producers. Its founders are dedicated
entertainment professionals who combine experience in motion picture
development, production, business affairs and finance. They have been
involved, at both the independent and studio level, in the distribution and
physical production of motion pictures. By providing a central source of
financing and an intimate team environment, Berk|Lane streamlines the
production process to allow filmmakers to create world-class entertainment.
Upcoming projects for Berk|Lane include The Company Men, written and
directed by John Wells, and All the Ships at Sea, with Vic Levin directing
from his script.
About Anchor Bay Entertainment
Anchor Bay Entertainment, LLC is a subsidiary of Starz Media, LLC.
Starz Media, LLC, is a programming production and distribution company
operating worldwide. It includes the Film Roman, Anchor Bay Entertainment,
and Manga Entertainment brands. Its units create animated and live-action
programming -- including theatrical films -- and programming created under
contract for other media companies. It distributes that programming, and
programming acquired from outside producers, through home video retailers,
theaters, broadcasters, ad supported and premium television channels, and
Internet and wireless video distributors in the US and internationally.
Starz Media (http://www.starzmedia.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC,
which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, and is
attributed to Liberty Capital Group, a tracking stock group of Liberty
Media Corporation.
SOURCE Anchor Bay Entertainment, LLC
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Related links:
http://www.starzmedia.com
CONTACT:
Jonathan Taylor of Starz Media,
+1-818-748-4032, Jonathan.Taylor@Starz.com; or Sue Procko of Sue
Procko Public Relations, +1-323-653-5153, Sue@sueprockopr.com
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