27 Oct Nativity! – Available for the holidays on Cable VOD December 1st
Family Approved By The Dove Foundation
FREESTYLE DIGITAL MEDIA LAUNCHES WITH BRITISH HOLIDAY BOX OFFICE SMASH
Premiered As #3 on the Box Office Charts in the UK
“Fun, Enjoyable, Laugh Out Loud Funny” — Dr. Ted Baehr, Movieguide
Los Angeles, CA October 29, 2010 – This Holiday Season, the newly launched home video and digital studio, Freestyle Digital Media, brings to home viewing audiences “Nativity!” via DVD and Internet streaming or download. Produced by BBC Films and Family-Approved by the Dove Foundation, “Nativity!” is a heart-warming and hilarious tale of the true meaning of Christmas. Starring Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins, in the upcoming film “The Hobbit”, BBC TV’s “The Office” and Masterpiece Mystery “Sherlock”) and Ashley Jensen (“Ugly Betty”), the film is great family entertainment that all ages will enjoy. Receiving tremendous box-office success during its theatrical release, the film was hailed by Variety as “…entertainment that gives family fare a good name …will have a long future as a yuletide favorite,” and The Guardian UK said “it’s hard to dislike this warm fuzzy hot-water bottle of a movie.” “Nativity!” is a feel-good British comedy that will jingle everyone’s bells! The film has a running time of approximately 105 minutes and is rated PG.
Synopsis
This Holiday Season, elementary school teacher Paul Maddens (Martin Freeman) is charged with producing the school’s musical nativity play. Competing against the fancy rival private school and his arch rival Gordon Shakespeare (Jason Watkins, “The Golden Compass,” “Tomorrow Never Dies”) for the honor of best reviewed show in town, the stakes are raised when Paul idly boasts that his ex-girlfriend Jennifer (Ashley Jensen – “Ugly Betty”), a Hollywood Producer, is coming to see his show with a view to turning it into a film. The only trouble is – they haven’t spoken in years. With one “little white lie” escalating events out of control he becomes a local celebrity and at the center of quarreling parents and over-excited children desperate in their bid for fame and fortune. Maddens’ only hope is to get back in touch with Jennifer and lure Hollywood to town so that everybody’s Christmas wishes come true.
“Nativity!” is written and directed by Debbie Isitt who improvised a good portion of the script. The film was partially financed by the BBC but was a surprise box office hit in the UK. Coming out at Number 3 under the top 20 UK Independent films — even Prime Minister Gordon Brown admitted to being a fan of the film after taking his children to see it!
“Nativity!” will be available for DVD purchase at Amazon, DVD rental at Blockbuster stores and online rental or download to own through Apple iTunes, Amazon, Blockbuster, Sony Playstation, Vudu, Sonic’s RoxioNow/CinemaNow, and other locations.
About Freestyle Digital Media
Freestyle Digital Media, LLC was founded in September of 2010 by it’s CEO Susan Jackson who is Co-President and founder of top independent theatrical distributor Freestyle Releasing, LLC and North American sales company Turtles Crossing, LLC. Jackson explains: “ we felt it was imperative to be able to offer our clients a direct channel to the digital distribution pipeline and rental DVD market. With our theatrical strength it was the logical move and a good addition to the selection of services Freestyle offers. We will still work with our studio partners on some films but offering access to this distribution pipeline is a nice addition to the Freestyle line up of services which include DVD/VOD/TV/airlines, cruise ships and Canada. Our goal is always to help our clients maximize their revenue through all media.”
About Freestyle Releasing:
Established in 2004 by Susan Jackson and Mark Borde, Freestyle Releasing, LLC has remained in the top 15 US theatrical distributors and top 5 independents, based on box office, for the last 5 years. Freestyle offers producer’s “studio” quality theatrical distribution on a service basis. Some of Freestyle’s most successful releases include “ The Illusionist,” “The Haunting of Molly Hartley,” “Dragon Wars,” “An American Haunting,” “Bottle Shock,” “The Collector,” “My One and Only” the original hit “Horror Fest,” and “Me & Orson Welles”. Upcoming theatrical releases include “The Nutcracker In 3D” starring Elle Fanning, John Tuturro and Nathan Lane and “Frankie and Alice” starring Halle Berry.
For more information please visit www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv <http://www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv>
Nativity!
Genre: Family Comedy
Format: DVD and Digital
Running Time: Approx. 105 Minutes
Rated: PG