Distributors confirm release of movie ‘Madison’ in August
By Don Ward, Editor
(April 2002)

The long-awaited hydroplane racing movie “Madison” will be the second of six motion pictures to be released this year by the newly formed Premiere Marketing & Distribution Group LLC, according to Mitchell Goldman, the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.
“Madison,” listed as an action-drama, is scheduled for national release Aug. 23. Officials in Madison, Ind., are planning a premiere in advance of the national release, perhaps the week before on the riverfront. Also, arrangements are being made to bring some of the actors and filmmakers to the southern Indiana town during the Madison Regatta on July 5-7. No details were available at press time on the premiere or Regatta visit.
The list of movies that The Premiere Group will distribute beginning in June will feature the on-screen talent of Hugh Jackman, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Jim Caviezel, Martha Coolidge, Debra Hill, Joaquin Phoenix, Mandy Moore, Isabella Rossellini, Kim Basinger and others.
“We were truly overwhelmed by the sheer number and quality of submissions that we have received since launching the company, and narrowing them down to this first group was no easy task,’’ Goldman said. “We are delighted that the producers of these films have entrusted their projects to us, and in turn, I can readily assure them that we will devote our full resources to them.’’
Barry Glasser, the company’s executive vice president of acquisitions, added: “The response to The Premiere Group by both the agencies and filmmakers has been exceptional. It’s apparent that they recognize us as a place where they can get a fast reaction to their projects at the script stage or during production, backed by a distribution commitment unlike any other in the industry.’’
“‘Slap Her,’ ‘Madison’ and all of the other mainstream films that we are announcing today,’’ Goldman noted, “meet The Premiere Group’s mandate of having the capability to play on a minimum of 2,000 screens and warrant a minimum of $16 million in pre-opening and first week print and advertising expenditures.’’
“Madison’’ director William Bindley noted: “Following the screening of our film at Sundance, The Premiere Group stepped forward with the guarantee of wide distribution and a comprehensive long-range marketing plan in which we have been participating at every stage of its development. They are a boon to independent producers. Our film could not be in better hands.’’
With offices in Los Angeles and New York City, The Premiere Group releases theatrical mainstream motion pictures in the United States and Canada on a scale comparable to the major studios. Only motion pictures that warrant such broad distribution are considered for The Premiere Group’s release schedule. The company expects to distribute six films in its first year of operation and 12 to 14 films annually thereafter.
For more on the film, visit the official move site at www.madisonthemovie.com.
* A description of the movie “Madison” from the company’s full press release:
“MADISON.” Set against the high-speed sport of hydroplane boat racing, this action packed film stars Jim Caviezel (“The Count of Monte Cristo,’’ “Frequency,’’ “The Thin Red Line’’), Jake Lloyd (“Star Wars: The Phantom Menace’’), Mary McCormack (“K-PAX’’) and Academy Award® nominee Bruce Dern. William Bindley directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Scott Bindley. Produced by Martin Wiley and William Bindley, with Carl Amari, Chris Dennis, Roy Millonzi and Steve Salutric serving as executive producers. August 23rd release. (PG)

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