Active-Duty Soldiers Salute MEMORIAL DAY Film With a Standing Ovation

Family-Friendly War Movie in Position to be a Favorite During Festival Season

MINNEAPOLIS, April 17, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEMORIAL DAY is poised to be a favorite during the film festival season after a positive reception by what could be considered its most critical audience: active-duty soldiers. The filmmakers of MEMORIAL DAY (previously titled SOUVENIRS) received a standing ovation from the Minnesota National Guard 34th Red Bull Infantry Division at Camp Ripley following an advance screening of the film that depicts units of the Guard, and included 39 active-duty soldiers.

"The advance screening at Camp Ripley was a small way to say thank-you to the soldiers who helped inspire and inform this film, many of whom we had the honor of working alongside during weeks of shooting," said MEMORIAL DAY director, Sam Fischer. "We worked very hard to ensure the authenticity of the film, but I was overwhelmed with gratitude when the soldiers at Camp Ripley gave us a standing ovation after they saw the movie. That's the best critical review any director could ask for."

An original screenplay by Marc Conklin, MEMORIAL DAY is about a 13-year-old boy who discovers his grandfather's (James Cromwell / THE ARTIST, BABE) World War II footlocker and strikes a deal with him: He can pick any three objects inside, and Grandpa will tell him the stories behind each one. The boy ends up joining the Minnesota National Guard 34th Infantry "Red Bulls" Division and experiencing friendships, losses and moral dilemmas that parallel his grandfather's.

Beginning with the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival on Saturday, April 21, 2012, MEMORIAL DAY will be screened as an official selection at five film festivals over the next four weeks: Riverside International Film Festival, April 21; Fort Myers Beach Film Festival, April 26; Newport Beach Film Festival, April 28; and the GI Film Festival, May 19.

MEMORIAL DAY will be released on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download the week of Memorial Day.

For more information, or to view the trailer, please visit www.memorialdayfilm.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:   

Kelly Olson

612-483-5685   kelly@perspectivefilms.com

** Editor's Note ** Memorial Day EPK and movie stills available upon request – contact Kelly Olson.

For all press inquiries, please contact Kelly Olson at Perspective Films: kelly@perspectivefilms.com  (612)483-5685.

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