AMAZING JOURNEY: THE STORY OF THE WHO
EXCLUSIVE LIVE PREMIERE AT ODEON
ODEON Cinemas to host live satellite link to London Premiere with introduction and Q&A with film makers and band legends Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey
LONDON, 30th October 2007 – ODEON Cinemas, Universal Pictures (“Universal”) and Arts Alliance Media (“AAM”) are set to host the premiere of Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who live across the UK, from ODEON Kensington. The exhilarating feature-length film about one of the most seminal and influential rock bands in history will be screened exclusively at selected ODEON cinemas on Monday 5th November at 6.30pm.
Band members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey will be introducing the film and participating in a live Q&A alongside the film’s creators, which will be screened simultaneously to cinema audiences across the UK, Austria and Germany, in HD and 5.1 surround sound. In anticipation of this unique event, film fans across the UK will be given the once in a lifetime opportunity to submit questions for inclusion in the Q&A session on the night.
Produced by Spitfire Pictures in association with Trinifold Management and spanning more than four decades, Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who reintroduces The Who now and to generations-to-come, as it tells one of the greatest stories of rock. The film tells the unfolding story of The Who across 40years, in a tale as gripping in adventure, life and personality as the searing power of their music. The film features all-new, exclusive, never-before-seen interviews with Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey and others, rare and recently discovered concert footage, artist profiles and much, much more. Plus music greats including Sting, U2’s The Edge, Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and Oasis’ Noel Gallagher, offer insightful commentaries on The Who’s indelible influence.
Beginning with their first hit single “I Can’t Explain,” The Who emerged from Mod-Era London to electrify the world with their unique sound. The music and live performances of Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Keith Moon tore through the existing boundaries of rock. The band has recorded 11 remarkable albums, including the world’s first rock opera Tommy, and the ensuing masterwork Quadrophenia. The British legends produced some of the most compelling and original music of the era, including the songs, “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Happy Jack,” “Pictures of Lily” and the immortal “My Generation.” The feature film brings the band’s story right up to date with footage from the band’s recent tour and tracks from the band’s first album in two decades ‘Endless Wire’.
Making the event possible is Arts Alliance Media, who have maximised the ODEON digital projection infrastructure to bring this star-studded event live via satellite from the ODEON Kensington to 14 cinema venues across the UK, as well as MEC Vienna, Austria and UCI/Kinowelt Dusseldorf, Germany.
Paul Chesney, AAM’s Director of Business Development added, “This kind of alternative content helps cinema owners to attract a broader audience, whilst bringing people back to the cinema. Music events are ideal for broadcast at exhibition locations and we are delighted to be working with Universal and Odeon on this prestigious occasion.”
Drew Kaza, Digital Development at ODEON, said “We’re delighted to bring this live premiere to film fans across the UK and beyond. ODEON is committed to screening the best in alternative content to ensure its cinema goers get the most out of their experience. The story of The Who is the stuff of musical legend and this is a great opportunity for guests to not only see the premiere, but quiz the band members too.”
This exclusive presentation will be screened in 15 ODEON cinemas across the country with ticket prices starting from £12.50 and can be booked at the ODEON box office, online at ODEON.co.uk or via the Film Line 0871 22 44 007.
Questions to the band can be submitted via odeon.co.uk
For more information on Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who, please visit http://amazinguk.thewho.com
Venues (Ticket Price £12.50 unless stated)
ODEON Kensington (£25)
ODEON Norwich
ODEON Cardiff
ODEON Manchester Printworks
ODEON London Covent Garden (£15)
ODEON Birmingham
ODEON Sheffield
ODEON Southampton
ODEON Maidenhead
ODEON Wimbledon (£15)
ODEON Tunbridge Wells (£15)
ODEON Liverpool
ODEON Bath
ODEON Guildford (£15)
ODEON Greenwich
About ODEON Cinemas
With over 75 years experience, ODEON is the biggest cinema chain in the UK. It operates 863 screens at 111 sites across the country and accounts for more than 1 in 3 of all cinema tickets sold in the UK.
About Arts Alliance Media
Arts Alliance Media, based in London and Paris, is Europe's leading provider of digital film distribution services, dedicated to building a European digital network to deliver film to the cinema, to the home and between industry players. AAM provides end-to-end digital cinema solutions encompassing equipment selection, financing and integration, operator training, installation and support, and content management and delivery. AAM was founded in 2003 by Thomas C. Hoegh who serves as Chairman of the Board.
About Universal Pictures
Universal Studios Home Entertainment is a unit of Universal Pictures, a division of Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com). Universal Studios is a part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and Entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television station.