NEWS_Methodfest

THE BIG TWENTY & VRE FILMS BREAK OUT WITH "REDEMPTION" AT METHOD FEST

LOS ANGELES, Calif., -- August 24, 1999 -- Seattle-based film company The Big Twenty in association with VRE Films, L.L.C. enjoyed the world premiere of REDEMPTION (USA, 108 min.) at the inaugural Method Fest Film Festival. It was the only film representing the Seattle film community.

Redemption follows the story of Bobby, a heroin addict, and Rachel, a rosary-clutching prostitute, who are drawn together by bad blood and sickening secrets. The drama was shot in Seattle and Bellingham, Wash., at a modest cost budgeted under $200,000. "I'm impressed that you could produce a film of this caliber so inexpensively," commented Method Fest Director Don Franken. The praise did not go unnoticed by writer/director of the film, Richard Valentine. "It's great to be recognized on a national level for the work you've completed," said Valentine.

Unique in its purpose, The Method Fest annually pays homage to great performances in independent filmmaking. The film festival also enables filmmakers to make contacts with distributors, agents, and creative executives in the industry. Over the course of the ten-day event, Redemption producers entertained meetings with several leading film companies, including American Zoetrope and Lion's Gate Entertainment.

The film's producer, Matt Lubetich, was excited about the whole experience. "Redemption's premiere was fantastic! We made some important contacts and received a great deal of positive feedback." As Franken put it, "Redemption just reaffirmed my belief that the Northwest continually produces innovative and cutting-edge films. There's a lot of talent up there."

Redemption's L.A. friends during the premire.

Director Richard Valentine, Lead Heather Myers, and Producer
Matt Lubetich at the premiere.