SpectiCast,in association with New Black Films and Goldcrest Films International, is proud to announce that it will
distribute PANTANI: THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF A CYCLIST to theatres in North
America and South America beginning in July 9, 2014. The film explores the startling truth behind
one man’s remarkable descent from being among the finest athletes on earth, to
his tragic end in a sport riven by intrigue.
Marco Pantani was a hero to millions - the savior of
cycling following the doping scandals that threatened to destroy the sport.
However, less than six years after winning both the Tour de France and Giro
d’Italia, Pantani, at just 34 years of age, died alone in a cheap Italian hotel
room on Valentines Day in 2004.
SpectiCast is a US-based distribution company,
specializing in the distribution of Event Cinema and Alternative Content to
theaters worldwide. Past projects have included the worldwide release of Lamb
of God’s AS THE PALACES BURN, THE ROLLING STONES: HYDE PARK LIVE, SUPER DUPER
ALICE COOPER and the 2014 MYFRENCHFILMFESTIVAL.
“PANTANI is a fantastic addition to SpectiCast’s Event Cinema line-up
and we are thrilled to partner with New Black Films to make this film available
to our worldwide network,” said Mark Rupp, President and COO of SpectiCast.
James Erskine, the film's director and producer said,
"I'm excited to be working with an innovative company like SpectiCast to
bring the film to audiences across the Americas. While making the film we've
received massive interest from the US, Canada and Latin America and are
delighted to be able to present the film to these audiences to coincide with
the 2014 Tour de France."
PANTANI: THE ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF A CYCLIST will premiere on the SpectiCast
network in North and South America beginning July 2014.
This follows the successful theatrical release in the UK
with Soda Pictures, Italy with GA&A and Australia with Madman
Entertainment.
ABOUT PANTANI: THE
ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF A CYCLIST
In 1998 Marco Pantani, the most flamboyant and popular cyclist
of his era, won both the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia – a titanic feat of
physical and mental endurance that no rider has repeated since. He was a hero
to millions – the saviour of cycling following the doping scandals which
threatened to destroy the sport. However, less than six years later, aged just
34, he died alone, in a cheap Italian hotel room. Pantani: The Accidental Death of a Cyclist explores the
startling truth behind one man’s remarkable descent from being amongst the
finest athletes on earth to his tragic end in a sport riven by intrigue. Combining scintillating race archive with contemporary news
footage, stylised reconstructions, and interviews with Pantani’s friends,
family, colleagues, and rivals, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Evgeni Berzin
and Greg LeMond. The story of the greatest climber of his generation; man versus
mountain, athlete versus the system, Marco Pantani versus himself.
ABOUT NEW BLACK FILMS
Innovative and groundbreaking, New Black Films is one of
the world’s premium sports theatrical producers and has extensive experience of
bringing sporting stories to the big screen. Based in London, England, New Black Films was founded by
filmmakers James Erskine and Victoria Gregory in 2009. Its passion is to make documentaries and
feature films that break down boundaries between genres and that enhance the
cinematic experience to reach the widest possible audience.
James Erskine is an Emmy-nominated filmmaker whose work
as a writer / director / producer includes “From The Ashes,” “One Night In
Turin,” “Vanishing of the Bees,” “Oil Storm,” an award – winning TV movie for
FX; and “EMR,” a theatrically released independent feature, and winner of
several film festivals including Raindance. In addition to this James has also
directed several episodes of popular BBC drama “Robin Hood”, “Torchwood”, among
others. Last year he helmed “American
Masters Billie Jean King” and “The Battle of the Sexes” and his next film is
the dramatic comedy “Shooting for Socrates” starring John Hannah.
Victoria’s last theatrical documentary project before
joining New Black Films was with Working Title Films on the BAFTA award winning
“Senna,” having previously co-produced the Oscar-winning “Man on Wire.” A career at the BBC in production management
included among others: BAFTA winning “The Secret Policeman,” factual drama
series “Space Race,” and “Dunkirk,” prior to which Victoria had also worked on
the award winning feature film “Last Resort.” Victoria has carved herself a
niche maximizing the value of documentary and drama-documentary features.
www.newblackfilms.com