EMR Press Release
Shiny Object Digital Video, Inc.
(916) 484-0747
Contact: Robert McKeown robert@shiny-object.com
For immediate release
Title: Shiny Object Digital Video, Inc. Acquires US Home Video Licensing
for EMR
Shiny Object Digital Video, Inc., a Sacramento,
CA based corporation, is pleased to announce the acquisition of US home
video rights to the recently-completed film, "EMR." Backed by Executive
Producer Angad Paul who helmed the productions of "Snatch" and "Lock,
Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," the US/UK production, is the brainchild
of Danny McCullough and James Erskine of Cottonopolis Films. "EMR" marks
their feature film debut which they co-wrote and directed, and were
also amongst the producers. The film stars Adam Leese (BBC's "Holby
City"), Washington, DC native Whitney Cummings (MTV's "Punk'd," VH1's
"Best Week Ever," Sundance Channel's "Festival Dailies" coverage for
2005), and features an appearance by Gil Bellows (Ally McBeal). It was
shot on location in England, San Francisco, and surrounding areas. The
film is replete with a powerful soundtrack containing tracks from esteemed
indie rock bands The Flaming Lips, Belle and Sebastian and Mates of State.
In October of 2004, EMR garnered the jury prize for Best UK Feature from the
prestigious Raindance Film Festival in London, despite substantial
competition which included "Clean" with Nick Nolte and Maggie Cheung. The 2004
Raindance jury panel included Colin Vaines, executive vice president of European
production at Miramax and Edgar Wright, co-author of "Shaun of the Dead." Prior to
this, a pre-completion preview version garnered the audience award for Best Feature
at 2004's DC Independent Film Festival.
The film also recently captured the Best Feature
jury award at the Weekend of Fear Film Festival in Nuremberg, Germany
and was enthusiastically received at its North American premiere at
the San Francisco Indie Fest in February of this year. It was also selected
for San Francisco's Fearless Tales Film Fest, and gained wide acclaim
in Korea at this year's Jeonju International Film Festival. It is next
headed to Oklahoma City for the deadCENTER Film Festival which takes
place in June.
"EMR" culls together numerous conspiracy theories ranging from
kidney stealing to malicious pharmaceutical testing to alien abductions,
creating an enthralling psychological thriller. The film focuses on Adam
(Adam Leese), a lonely and sympathetic character with epilepsy who spends
much of his time online, either researching conspiracy theories or chatting
with Cyberbunnylilly (Whitney Cummings), a San Francisco woman who he
has developed an internet relationship with. One evening while investigating
his newly-prescribed medication, Adam suffers a massive seizure, regaining
consciousness in Mexico in a pool of blood and with one less kidney. After
collapsing in a church, he mysteriously finds himself back home in England.
And so begins the chilling situations which Adam is forced to face, as
he repeatedly awakes from blackouts in new places and in dire situations,
none of which he appears to have any control over and leaving him with
no one he can trust save Cyberbunnylilly. As his attention focuses on
the fact that a massive plot against him exists which the pharmaceutical
company Pfenal Corp just might be at the center of, events accelerate
and Adam deteriorates, throwing even his confidence in Cyberbunnylilly
into question. As he struggles to uncover this cabal, the plot twists
relentlessly to the stunning climax.
Danny McCullough is currently the sound supervisor on MTV's hidden camera
reality show, "Damage Control." He also has worked on IFC's "Dario Argento:
An Eye for Horror," A&E's "Reputations: Billie Holiday," and numerous
other documentaries, music videos and commercials.
James Erskine wrote and directed the film "Oilstorm" which airs on FX in early June, 2005
and served as producer and director for the Emmy-nominated mini-series
"The Human Face" with John Cleese and Elizabeth Hurley in 2001.
In addition, he has directed episodes of the popular BBC dramas "Holby
City" and "Eastenders" as well as "Ruby Does the Business"
with British star Ruby Wax. He has directed a large slate of documentaries,
including "A Long Time Ago... The Story of Star Wars" for BBC's
"Omnibus" in 1999.
Cottonopolis Films was formed in 2001 following the initial collaboration
of Erskine and McCullough with their short film, "The Invitation"
which was distributed by Canal+ of France.
"EMR" has been engaged for a theatrical run in the UK which
is set to begin this summer.
The street date and further details for the US DVD release of EMR will
be forthcoming.
Due to the minimal amount of theatrical availability, advance screener
copies for film review purposes will be made available to qualified media.
Please direct requests for these to Robert McKeown at Shiny Object Digital
Video, Inc., either by phone or email. Final DVD packages will also be
available for DVD reviews upon their completion.
For further information or to arrange for media opportunities, including
interviews with the filmmakers, please contact Robert McKeown. Additional
information and updates will be found at the Shiny Object Digital Video,
Inc. website: http://www.shiny-object.com
Please also visit the film tie-in websites at
http://www.truthvendor.com and http://www.pfenal.com
Shiny Object Digital Video, Inc. is a privately held California corporation
focused on home video licensing of independent films and filmed live musical
performances, as well as DVD authoring and production.