Cinedigm has acquired U.S. rights to City of Peace’s faith and family-friendly film The Identical, featuring Ashley Judd, Amanda Crew, Seth Green, Joe Pantoliano and Ray Liotta. The film is being released theatrically on September 5th on a targeted 1,200 screens. The home entertainment rollout, including physical, digital, television and non-theatrical rights, is set to launch January 2015.
Directed by Dustin Marcellino, The Identical tells the compelling story of twin brothers unknowingly separated at birth during the Great Depression. Drexel Hemsley (Blake Rayne) becomes an iconic ‘50s rock ‘n’ roll star, while Ryan Wade (Blake Rayne) struggles to balance his love for music and pleasing his father. The Reverend Wade (Ray Liotta) and his wife (Ashley Judd) are sure their adopted son has been gifted and called by God to be a preacher. But Ryan challenges his parents’ vision for his life, and unflinchingly chooses to launch his own music career with his best friend (Seth Green). Encouraged by his wife (Erin Cottrell) and employer (Joe Pantoliano), Ryan embarks on an unpredictable and provocative path – performing the legendary music of Drexel Hemsley in sold out venues all across the country -- setting into action a series of events that ultimately lead him to question everything he’s ever believed about God, family and his own identity.
“We believe the film will resonate deeply with audiences seeking uplifting, family and faith-friendly entertainment,” said Yolanda Macias, executive vice president of acquisitions, forecast planning and digital sales for Cinedigm. “With the film’s unique story, talented actors and fantastic soundtrack, we immediately wanted to partner with City of Peace in bringing The Identical to the marketplace.”
“Cinedigm’s expertise in technology and digital content distribution clearly makes them the industry leader and an excellent complement to our City of Peace Films business model. We are very pleased to be partnering with such an innovative and progressive company as Cinedigm as we forge forward into the future,” said Don Noes, City of Peace films producer and COO/new business development.
The Identical is a City of Peace Films production featuring the talents of three generations of the Marcellino family from Nashville, Tennessee. Jerry Marcellino co-wrote the 22 plus original songs with his son Yochanan, who is the founder of City of Peace Films. Dustin Marcellino, Yochanan’s son, makes his feature film debut as director, and his brother Jordan Marcellino is a co-producer on the film. Yochanan and Don Noes are the two men who propelled the movie to the big screen by raising the production funding and the film’s marketing budget.
The deal was negotiated by Cinedigm’s Yolanda Macias with Jerry Dasti of Sloss, Eckhouse LawCo and Michael Helfant of Amasia Entertainment representing the filmmakers.
Cinedigm www.cinedigm.com