Sundance Now Premieres Doc Following Billy Hayes From MIDNIGHT EXPRESS

Starting May 15, Sundance Now members will be able to stream new release Midnight Return, a documentary that provides a postscript on the explosive, Oscar-winning Midnight Express. Midnight Return follows Billy Hayes, the real-life subject of Midnight Express, as he returns to Turkey after his escape from prison. It captures the original filmmaking team reflecting on the impact of their 1978 hit, for which Alan Parker ("Evita") was nominated for a Best Director Academy Award®, Oliver Stone won an Oscar® for his screenplay, and Brad Davis won two Golden Globes®, becoming an overnight sensation for his depiction of Hayes.

Midnight Express stunned audiences with its violent portrayal of Turkey, telling THE STORY of Billy Hayes escaping a Turkish prison after being arrested for smuggling hash. Thirty years later, the companion documentary Midnight Return seeks to reveal the societal impact cinema can have on a country.

"Sundance Now looks for any opportunity to tap into the power and role of filmmaking," said George Schmalz, curator of Sundance Now. "The story of Midnight Return needs to be told to understand how media shapes popular opinion."

Midnight Return transcends the typical "film about a film" into a cultural commentary piece that reveals the powerful influence Midnight Express had not only on Hollywood but the world's view of Turkey. Turkey saw a drop in tourism following the release of the film and a damaging impression of the country was left in its place.

Emmy®-award winning television writer, Sally Sussman, wrote, produced and directed Midnight Return, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016 and since then has played in numerous festivals across the world.

"I first saw Midnight Express as a college student and it stayed with me ever since. Years later when I met Billy Hayes, I realized there was so much more to THE STORY than what was shown on screen" says Sussman. "It wasn't until I got involved in making this documentary that I learned the real impact of Midnight Express was still being felt worldwide, especially in Turkey where Billy Hayes had become the most hated man in the country."

Sundance Now members can stream both Midnight Return on May 15 and Midnight Expresson May 16 via web, iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV and Chromecast. To stream, visitSundanceNow.com and sign up for a 7-day free trial.

About Sundance Now Sundance Now brings members the best in award-winning films, documentaries & binge-worthy TV series. From exclusive Sundance Now Originals to new releases and hard-to-find classics-Sundance Now has captivating stories for everyone. Members can easily discover something great to watch in one of our handpicked collections, curated by filmmakers and cultural icons.

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