Los Angeles, CA, Aug. 17, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hollywood, CA – August 17, 2017 - Val Kilmer, who is recognized as one of America’s premiere actors, has just signed on to play the pivotal role of Biden in the comedy feature “1st Born.” “1st Born” (directed by Iran’s Ali Atshani) will be the first joint feature film co-production between Iran and Hollywood using both Middle Eastern and U.S. cast and crew. With the backdrop of the Iranian-American political crises, this film is a milestone in the exchange of artistic ideas between the two countries. Kilmer has starred in such box office, and critical, hits as “Top Gun,” “Willow,” “The Doors,” “Tombstone,” “Heat,” “The Island of Dr. Moreau,” “The Prince of Egypt” and, of course, the title role in “Batman Forever.”
Powerhouse Iranian film director Ali Atshani, who is an award-winning blockbuster director in Iran, has achieved major milestones such as being the first director to shoot a film in 3D in the Middle East and has some of the highest budgeted films produced in Iran. Atshani has crossed cultural bridges before with his film “Paradise” which was a co Iranian/German film and has directed such notable Iranian films such as “The President’s Cellphone,” “Wish Bone”,” Banana Peel,” “Mr. Alef” and “Negar’s Role.”
“1st Born” is a comedy film about a young newlywed couple; Iranian born Ben and American Kate who are living the American dream in sunny California. When their first pregnancy has complications, it takes the whole family to come together, which is no small feat. Ben’s father Hamid Is a virulent anti-American Iranian politician while Kate’s father Biden is an equally anti-Iranian U.S. politician. However, after a series of hijinks and mishaps, the whole extended family must learn to put their differences aside and find common ground to come together for the sake of Ben and Kate and their baby. This comedy shows that blood is thicker than water, or in this case political and cultural differences, and highlights that despite our differences and prejudices we really aren’t that different after all.
Hollywood based LA Independent Film and Entertainment is producing “1st Born” with two-time Euro Film Award winner Sam Khoze leading the producing team which includes producer Edwin Avaness and associate producer in Iran Pourya Naserbakht. “1st Born” was written by Sam Khoze, Tarek Zohdy and Medhi Alimirzayi. In addition to Kilmer, several other well-known U.S. and Middle Eastern stars are in final talks to join the production, which is scheduled to start filming in Los Angeles next month.
For media and interview inquiries, please contact Tad Hamilton of Mosaic Public Relations at tad@mosaicpublicrelations.com or by phone 323-424-7499.
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Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8dabf4c5-1a5c-44a8-b07a-2fc332d0222e