ARTS ALLIANCE AMERICA NABS ALL NORTH AMERICAN
AND UK RIGHTS TO
'HEAVY METAL IN BAGHDAD'
“If a shared love of Black Sabbath can’t unite all nations in peace, at least Heavy Metal in Baghdad brings us one step closer to understanding our longhaired neighbors to the east.” -- NEW YORK MAGAZINE.com
New York, NY January 9– Following its premiere at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival, VBS.TV’s compelling documentary “Heavy Metal In Baghdad” has been picked up by indie DVD and film distributor Arts Alliance America. The film, which follows the Iraqi heavy metal band Acrassicauda from the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003 to present day, will be released theatrically Spring 2008, with a DVD release shortly following. The announcement was made jointly today by Joe Amodei, President of Arts Alliance America, and Shane Smith and Eddy Moretti, of VBS.TV and Vice Films.
The deal was negotiated by Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment on behalf of VBS.TV and Joe Amodei on behalf of Arts Alliance America. Joe Amodei states “Heavy Metal In Baghdad is the only film that truly documents the artists’ plight in this war-torn country. It is like no other rockumentary on the market, and, with that said, is like no other Iraqi-war documentary.”
Playing heavy metal in a Muslim country has always been a difficult (if not impossible) proposition, but after Saddam’s regime was toppled, there was a brief moment for the band in which real freedom seemed possible. That hope was quickly dashed as their country fell into a bloody insurgency. From 2004-2007, Iraq disintegrated around them while Acrassicauda struggled to stay together and stay alive, always refusing to let their heavy metal dreams die. Their story echoes the unspoken hopes of an entire generation of young Iraqis.
While playing at Toronto, the film garnered critical acclaim, including, Torontoist.com who states “...the film's strength lies in its small scope and distinct disinterest in forcing the bigger picture on the viewer—the story of the lives of the Acrassicauda itself works as a perfect microcosm for the struggles of Iraq’s people and is deeply moving and enraging.” Toronto Screen Shots says “…this is a sober and emotional blow to the head of the reality of what is happening in Iraq as seen through the eyes of people just like me: regular, working class guys who are also passionate about music. And it’s nothing like you’ve ever seen on the news.”
The film is directed by Eddy Morretti, head of VBS.TV & Vice Films and Suroosh Alvi, founder of Vice Magazine. Both wrote a feature on the group, which helped Acrassicauda garner a following of die-hard heavy metal fans. Vice Films then created this documentary a year later to find out what happened with the band.
Monica Hampton, whose credits include “Fahrenheit 9/11” and “Chasing Amy,” produced the film. For further information about the film and to see the trailer, please visit heavymetalinbaghdad.com.
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ARTS ALLIANCE AMERICA
Arts Alliance America (AAA), is part of Arts Alliance Media (AAM), Europe’s leading provider of digital film distribution services to the cinema, home and entertainment industry. Arts Alliance America, formerly Hart Sharp Video, was founded in 2003 by Joe Amodei to develop, acquire, market and distribute DVD product in the theatrical feature film, documentaries, special interest and sports categories. The company has built partnerships with Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, ESPN, MLB Productions, Bombo Sports and Entertainment, TV Guide and NESN and other high profile entertainment brands since their inception. Some upcoming AAA releases include Chalk, which pulls you in to the frenetic and awkwardly painful journey of three novice teachers, by director Mike Akel and Impossible to Forget: The Story of the 1967 Red Sox chronicling the most beloved, mythical team in the history of Boston sports. For more information please visit www.artsallianceamerica.com and www.artsalliancemedia.com
VBS.TV
Launched in March of 2007, VBS is an online broadcast network that streams an original mix of content (domestic and international news, pop and underground culture coverage, and the best in new music), free of charge, 24 hours a day. With Academy Award-nominated director Spike Jonze (Adaptation, Being John Malkovich) as VBS creative director, the network draws its content from bureaus in 20 countries, Since its launch VBS has hit the planet in a manner not unlike a massive global plague, having been featured in Wired Magazine, the New York Times, CNN and ABC News among other outlets. VBS content will also be appearing on several linear platforms in 2008 including MTV, MTV Worldwide, and IFC Canada. Basically, VBS will exploit every utopian vision the internet has thus far failed to live up to. For a mission statement, go to - http://www.vbs.tv/player.php?bctid=463858595&bccl=NDgzNjIzMjczX19ORVdT