GENIUS PRODUCTS SECURES EXCLUSIVE U.S. HOME ENTERTAINMENT DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO CURRENT AND FUTURE TITLES IN PRESTIGIOUS TARTAN VIDEO USA LIBRARY
Monday, April 24, 2006
Acclaimed Library of More Than 60 Renowned Films
Includes "Asia Extreme" Line of Horror Films
SANTA MONICA, CA -- (April 24, 2006) -- Continuing the momentum established by its landmark agreement with The Weinstein Company in December 2005, Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB:GNPI) is adding a library of more than 60 acclaimed independent films to its slate of DVD releases through an exclusive distribution agreement with Tartan Video USA, it was announced today by Genius Products CEO Trevor Drinkwater and Tartan Video USA President Tony Borg.
Established in September 2004, Tartan USA already boasts a library of more than 60 world-renowned eclectic -- and often controversial -- feature length independent films. The library includes Tartan's "Asia Extreme" line of horror films, a fast-growing contemporary genre featuring the best of cinema from the Far East with such cult favorites as the 2004 Cannes Grand Jury Prize Winner OLDBOY, A TALE OF TWO SISTERS, and Takashi Shimizu's MAREBITO. The library generated approximately $6 million of net revenue in 2005 and is expected to grow to $9 million in 2006.
In addition to distributing Tartan's library of critically acclaimed films, Genius will distribute all new releases from Tartan Video USA, the American arm of Hamish McAlpine's Tartan Films.
The first titles set for release this summer represent both the Asia Extreme and Tartan Video brands. CELLO, a Korean Asia Extreme chiller, chronicles the struggles of a brilliant cellist who craves peace and stability after surviving a car crash. Unfortunately, she finds only horror when strange occurrences take over her house and family. CELLO will be available at retail July 25, 2006. The pre-book date is June 20, 2006.
Master Japanese filmmaker Yoji Yamada's 78th film, THE HIDDEN BLADE, is a mesmerizing tale of honor, loyalty and love in mid-19th-century Japan. An honest and low ranking samauri is forced to choose between tradition and progress in this follow up to Yamada's Academy Award nominated film TWILIGHT SAMAURAI. THE HIDDEN BLADE will be available at retail August 8, 2006. The pre-book date is July 4, 2006.
"The Tartan Video library is a remarkable line-up of films that have been recognized around the world as not only entertaining and inspiring, but thought-provoking as well. The titles represent another example of the ever increasing quality of content distributed by Genius through the expanded infrastructure we created to handle major titles from The Weinstein Company. With our newly implemented Vendor Managed Inventory system, we anticipate even greater success for Tartan's library," said Drinkwater.
"Our agreement allows us to expand our distribution reach with a partner whose product line complements our own. We believe our world-renowned independent films, critically acclaimed Asia Extreme catalog and future branded labels are a great match with Genius's already impressive catalog," said Borg.
Tartan Video was formerly distributed by TLA Releasing.
ABOUT GENIUS PRODUCTS, INC.
Genius Products, Inc. (OTCBB:GNPI), produces and distributes an ever-expanding library of home entertainment products including DVDs and CDs. Sold in retail outlets nationwide under such well-known brands as Wellspring, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment™, NBC News, TV Guide® and Baby Genius®, the company's products are distributed through the Genius Products Branded Distribution Network, an extensive, proprietary distribution network that extends throughout the U.S. to mass, drugstore, supermarket and specialty retailers. Genius Products recently released on home video The Weinstein Company smash hits, DERAILED, starring Jennifer Aniston and Clive Owen and WOLF CREEK, an Australian horror film as well as the Oscar nominated film, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins.
Genius Products boasts a premiere management team comprised of seasoned executives, formerly with major Hollywood studios, who have steered the company into the forefront of the industry through their landmark exclusive distribution deal with The Weinstein Company.
Upcoming films planned for release by Genius Products include films by The Weinstein Company such as HOODWINKED, an updated retelling of the classic story of Red Riding Hood with the voices of Anne Hathaway, Glenn Close and Jim Belushi; THE MATADOR, starring Pierce Brosnan; DOOGAL, a comical animated adventure with the voices of Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg and William H. Macy; and THE LIBERTINE, starring Johnny Depp. Potential new releases include a sequel to SIN CITY, SCHOOL FOR SCOUNDRELS, CLERKS II and the highly anticipated film BOBBY.
ABOUT TARTAN
Hamish McAlpine, the founder and owner of Tartan Films, who are celebrating twenty one years of distributing films in the UK, launched Tartan USA in 2004 with an eclectic and controversial slate of films from established auteurs and up-and-coming filmmakers. Recent Tartan film releases include 2004 Cannes Grand Jury Prize Winner OLDBOY, the sincerely creepy A TALE OF TWO SISTERS, Michael Winterbottom's 9 SONGS and Takashi Shimizu's MAREBITO. Upcoming releases include the critically-acclaimed Romanian Oscar entry THE DEATH OF MR LAZARESCU and the final film in Park Chanwook's "Vengeance Trilogy," LADY VENGEANCE. For more information, visit www.TartanVideoUSA.com
Safe Harbor Statement
Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements reflect assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Genius Products' business, forecasts, projections and prospects, and cause actual results to differ materially from those in these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the Genius Products' newly implemented Vendor Managed Inventory system, the anticipated timing and financial performance of the Tartan library including CELLO, THE HIDDEN BLADE, OLDBOY, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, MAREBITO, THE DEATH OF MR. LAZARESCU, LADY VENGEANCE, DERAILED, HOODWINKED, MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, WOLF CREEK, THE MATADOR, DOOGAL, THE LIBERTINE and any other statements relating to such new release that are not historical statements of fact. Actual results could vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, the unpredictability of audience demand, the effect of technological change and the availability of alternative forms of entertainment. Other such risks and uncertainties include the matters described in Genius Products' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Genius Products assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
# # #