PREMIERE OF SASKATCHEWAN-MADE MOVIE A FIRST WITH SOMETHING MORE!

Released: September 10, 1999

(REGINA) The North American premiere of Something More, a present day romantic comedy about a group of 20-something guys bound by basketball, bars and their romantic pursuits, took place in Regina, September 8, 1999. Its release in 55 theatres across the nation will follow on September 10. Something More is produced by Regina-based production companies Minds Eye Entertainment and Eighty Seven Bear Images.

Something More is the first Saskatchewan-made motion picture to be theatrically released by Canadian super-distributor Alliance Atlantis Communications, and the first indigenous motion picture that has been given broad national release.

Alliance/Atlantis Senior Vice-President JIM SHERRY says the romantic comedy has a lot to offer its audience.

"We've enjoyed the opportunities to work with the filmmakers involved and are excited about the prospect for this broad-based romantic comedy."

The made-in-Saskatchewan movie is the first of its kind from inception to completion: it was conceived, written, directed and produced solely by Saskatchewan motion picture professionals and production companies.

The movie began shooting May 28, 1997 and finished principle photography June 27, during which time, it injected more than $2 million into the community. Through the term of production and post-production, the film supported local business and community members: over 30 small businesses, 12 principle actors, 300 extras, and 68 crew (among them, several new crew members received on-set training) were participants in the production.

Something More marks the theatrical directing debut of writer, producer and director ROB KING.

"This movie will surprise a lot of people. In pre-release screenings in Toronto the audience was extremely receptive to the movie's realistic themes and humour, and many asked incredulously 'That was Saskatchewan? WOW!'

I'm proud to have made this picture in my home town - the entire community got involved and the effort shows in the quality of the final product," says King.

Co-Executive Producer and screenplay writer PETER BRYANT agrees that the film's realism is a strong point, and admits, "The film's blend of comedy and romance is based on the common experiences of both sexes. We can laugh at ourselves."

Something More was shot entirely in Regina and featured such notable locations as Angus Crescent, Wascana Park, The Manhattan Night Club, Scarth Street Mall, the Hotel Saskatchewan Radisson Plaza, Presuitti's Hot Tomatoes, Lakeview United Church and Martin Collegiate.

Producer MAUREEN MacDONALD of Eight Seven Bear Images is complementary about the Regina businesses, actors and crew that worked on Something More.

"Film is a collaborate art: its success is based on team work and on an ambitious project like Something More, you see the results of the dedication of the Saskatchewan film making community in every frame."

Executive Producer and CEO of Minds Eye Entertainment, KEVIN DeWALT, knows that the aptly named Something More has a lot going for it in the way its story line, lush locations and comic bent will play well to a broad audience.

"There's something for everyone in the picture. I think of it as the movie about men no woman should miss."

Something More stars: Michael Goorjian (Do Not Disturb, Hard Rain) as "Sam"; Chandra West (Universal Soldier, Revenge of the Land) as "Kelly"; Jennifer Beals (Devil in a Blue Dress, Flashdance) as "Lisa"; David Lovgren (Beggars & Choosers, Poltergeist) as "Jim"; Thomas Cavanagh (Providence, Northern Lights) as "Harry"; Peter Flemming (Detox, Atomic Train) as "Dan"; Wendy Anderson (Sparkle, Incredible Story Studio) as "Joan"; Kurt Max Runte (Sweetwater, Millennium) as "Will"; and, Nathaniel Deveaux (The Jack Bull, Hoods) as "Louie".

Something More was developed with the financial assistance of Telefilm Canada, The Harold Greenberg Fund and B.C. Film. Training support was prov ided by Future Skills through Saskatchewan Post Secondary Education and Skills Training, and the C.F.T.P.A. (Canadian Film and Television Production Association) National Training Program. The industry's unions, IATSE, DGC and ACTRA, provided additional support.

Something More was produced with the financial participation of Telefilm Canada, SaskFILM, and is distributed internationally by Alliance Atlantis Communications.