Freestyle Releasing to Open Skateland In Select Markets 3/25

"Skateland," the compelling drama which marks the tumultuous transition of a group of high school friends into adulthood, directed by Anthony Burns and starring Shiloh Fernandez, Ashley Greene, Heath Freeman, Brett Cullen and Taylor Handley, will open in New York and Los Angeles on March 25, 2011, it was announced today by Susan Jackson, Co-President, Freestyle Releasing.

"Skateland" premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and marks Anthony Burns' feature directorial debut. He also co-wrote the film with BranDon Freeman and Heath Freeman. Set in the early 1980s, in small town Texas, "Skateland" is an honest snapshot of the lives of a close-knit group of friends who are forced to confront the harsh reality of the precarious world around them. The film revolves around a charismatic young skating rink manager named Ritchie Wheeler (Shiloh Fernandez), brother and sister Brent and Michelle Burkham (Heath Freeman, Ashley Greene) and the legendary, wise-cracking, Kenny Crawford (Taylor Handley) as their secure, carefree lives start to unravel.

"'Skateland' is an iconic tribute to a culture, place and state of mind that defined small town America in the early 80s. It is a universal moment in time, when everything you know to be true starts fading. The story is personal, yet familiar, set against a visually arresting landscape of music and vistas of Americana.

"Anthony Burns has a fresh, unique and distinctive voice; he and Brandon and Heath Freeman have beautifully captured these characters and the complicated relationships that unfold as they are faced with an uncertain future that lies ahead. The film is poignant flashback, filled with humor, personal conflict and heart," says Jackson.

Fernandez stars in Catherine Hardwicke's upcoming "Red Riding Hood," opposite Amanda Seyfried. Greene, a veteran of the "Twilight" films, also stars in the upcoming films "LOL - Laughing Out Loud," opposite Demi Moore and Miley Cyrus; the comedy "Butter," opposite Olivia Wilde, Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Garner, and the horror-thriller "Apparition." Heath Freeman's credits include such television shows as "The Closer, "Bones" and "Raising the Bar." Taylor Handley starred in the hit horror-thriller "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning" and he appears in the upcoming action film "Battle: Los Angeles," with Aaron Eckhart, Michelle Rodriguez and Bridget Moynihan. Other cast include Melinda McGraw ("The Dark Knight," "The Nutty Professor II: Meet the Klumps," "Men of a Certain Age," "Medium"), Haley Ramm (the upcoming "Red State,""Into the Wild," X Men" Last Stand"), A.J. Buckley ("Disturbing Behavior," "Blue Car," "CSI:NY," "Supernatural"), Ellen Hollman ("Fling," "Medium," "Victorious"), James LeGros ("Lovely & Amazing," "Vantage Point," the upcoming "Thicker," "MildrEd Pierce,") and Casey LaBow ("A Year in Mooring," "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn," Parts I &2).

BranDon Freeman, Anthony Burns and Heath Freeman are the producers. Peter Simonite is the cinematographer. Christopher Stull is the production designer. Kari Perkins served as costume designer. Robert Hoffman is the film editor. Michael Penn provided original music.

ABOUT FREESTYLE

Established in 2004 by feature distribution veterans Susan Jackson and Mark Borde, Freestyle has remained as one of the top 15 US theatrical distributors, based on box office, for the last 6 years. Started initially as a rent a system for producers looking to get their commercial films released meaningfully in theaters, Freestyle offered the original "do- it- your -self" distribution plan. With so many independents and studio specialty divisions going out of business Freestyle meets a need in this challenging market. Due to Freestyle's volume of commercial releases it can offer access to studio output deals for dvd/vod/ppv/pay tv, as well as, day and date theatrical distribution.

 

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