MALIBU, Calif., Jan. 27, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Building on the momentum of record-breaking DVD sales of "HOUNDDOG" in January, Empire Film Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:EFGU) (http://www.empirefilmgroup.com) is moving rapidly to release three new titles for March, including a new theatrical feature, a new direct-to-DVD film, and the release of a highly anticipated new book.
A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5828
"Chelsea on the Rocks," a documentary feature from acclaimed director Abel Ferrara ("Kings of New York") will be released theatrically commencing March 20 in New York, prior to an expansion roll-out to key U.S. markets. The film chronicles the notorious history of the infamous Chelsea Hotel in New York City, and features an all-star cast of former residents including actors Ethan Hawke and Dennis Hopper, director Milos Forman and archival footage featuring legendary musicians Janis Joplin, Jerry Garcia and Sid Vicious. The film was produced by Jen Gatien and David Wasserman, and premiered to an enthusiastic reception at the Cannes Film Festival last May.
"The Uninvited" is a suspense thriller from director Bob Badway and producer Michael Emanuel, starring Marguerite Moreau ("Queen of the Damned") as a woman trapped in her home from dangers both real and imagined. The film has enjoyed critical praise from the festival circuit, and should appeal to audiences of both suspense as well as intellectual intrigue. Empire will ship the film as a DVD premiere to major retailers and rental chains in March, with an April 14 street date. "The Uninvited" will be priced at $19.95 suggested retail.
"Made in the USA" is the highly anticipated new book from author Barr McClellan, whose previous release achieved # 1 best-seller status for Amazon.com and was a top 20 New York Times non-fiction hit. McClellan's 2003 debut novel, "Blood, Money & Power: How L.B.J. Killed J.F.K.," was based in part on his work as an attorney for the Clark Law Firm in Austin, Texas, representing former President Lyndon Baines Johnson. McClellan's new book has been four years in the making, and is a persuasive analysis of how the U.S. economy is critically driven on locally-based manufacturing and services. "Made in the USA" presents compelling evidence on how the foreign "outsourcing" of jobs overseas -- including a widening trade gap with China -- has undermined the American economy, and presents suggestions on how everyday consumer purchasing habits can help restore our nation's wealth. The book is priced at $24.95 suggested retail, hardcover edition, 316 pages, with a March 24 release date.
"Chelsea on the Rocks" will be released to theaters under the Empire Film Group banner. "The Uninvited" will be released to DVD via Empire Home Entertainment, and "Made in the USA" will be published by Empire's Hannover House division. Empire forecasts cumulative sales for all three items to exceed five-million dollars during the initial release cycles in 2009.
"We felt it was important to build on our successful release of 'Hounddog' with new releases in all three of our primary product categories," said Dean Hamilton-Bornstein, CEO of Empire Film Group. "The company has an impressive line-up of new acquisitions that will enable us to increase our release output each quarter as we reach to exceed our 2009 corporate goals. Each of these three titles are solid releases for their respective markets, and are terrific additions to our growing library of film, video and literary properties," he concluded.
Learn more about Empire Film Group at www.empirefilmgroup.com
The photo accompanying this release is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
