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02/26/2009 - Regent Acquires "Shake Hands with the Devil"
Drama based on Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire's
award-winning book
LOS ANGELES -- February 26, 2009 -- Regent Releasing, a leading
independent U.S. film distributor, announced today that it has acquired
U.S. distribution rights to the docudrama "Shake Hands With The Devil,"
from EMMY®-nominated
director Roger Spottiswoode and OSCAR®-winning producer Michael Donovan of "Bowling for
Columbine." Regent acquired the film from Halifax Film, a DHX Media
company and will distribute the film in the summer of 2009.
 Nominated for 13
Genie Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Academy Award) including
Best Motion Picture and Best Achievement in Direction, "Shake Hands
With The Devil" is based on the acclaimed best-selling book by
Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire. The film was directed by
Roger Spottiswoode ("Tomorrow Never Dies" and EMMY®-nominated drama "And The Band Played On.") The film stars
the award-winning actor Roy Dupuis as Lieutenant-General Roméo
Dallaire and Deborah Kara Unger as Emma.
"Regent is honored to bring Lieutenant-General Dallaire's inspiring
story to US audiences this summer," said Mark Reinhart, General Manager
and Executive Vice President Distribution and Acquisitions for Regent.
"'Shake Hands With The Devil' illustrates a beautiful message of
humanity through the perseverance and courageous acts of one man."
"Shake Hands With The Devil" marks one of many additions to an
impressive slate of first-rate and thought-provoking world cinema,
which Regent has acquired in recent months. Upcoming releases include
the 2008 Academy Award®
winner for Best Foreign Language Film, "Departures," the 2008 Cannes Un
Certain Regard Jury prize winner "Tokyo Sonata," Iran's Official entry
for the 81st Academy Awards®, "The Song of Sparrows," the 2008 Cannes Official
Competition entry "Serbis," and two-time Annie Award nominee, "$9.99."
The film has already garnered attention and support from activist
organizations around the world including, Amnesty International and
American Red Cross. On Tuesday, February 24, "Shake Hands With The
Devil" was screened at BAFTA. The special screening of the film hosted
by Time Magazine International, International Crisis Group and Bono's
ONE Organization. Following the screening, a distinguished panel
including, Simon Robinson (Senior Editor Time Europe), Lord Malloch
Brown (UK's Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN), Justin Forsyth
(Gordon Brown's policy adviser) singer Bob Geldof, the film's director
Roger Spottiswoode, Colonel Bob Stewart (who headed the first UN
mission to Bosnia) and Donald Steinberg (head of the International
Crisis Group and President Clinton's advisor on Africa) discussed the
issues raised by the film.
In 1993, the United Nations dispatches Lieutenant-General Roméo
Dallaire (Roy Dupuis) to far-off Rwanda to oversee a fragile
cease-fire. The peace agreement between the rebels (led by the minority
Tutsi ethnic group) and the Hutu majority group was on shaky ground.
When an unknown group shoots down the Rwandan President's plane, the
storm breaks and a secret genocidal campaign against the Tutsi minority
begins with a night of terror in Kigali. Dallaire is forced to deal
with far-away superiors and the studied indifference of the world's
great powers while trying to take decisive action to stop the genocide
of more than 800,000 innocent civilians.
"I am enormously pleased that it is Regent who will distribute the film
in the US," said Roger Spottiswoode. "They have the wisdom, talent and
tenacity to find the audience for this film about a truly extraordinary
man and a hero of our time who lived through a tragedy that was
timeless." The acquisition of "Shake Hands with the Devil" was
negotiated by Mark Reinhart for Regent and International Creative
Management, which represented U.S. rights and also represents director
Spottiswoode.
For more information about the film, please visit
http://www.shakehands-themovie.com/ or http://www.regentreleasing.com
About Regent Releasing
Regent Releasing, a leader in the distribution of innovative,
artist-driven independent films, was established in 1995 by acclaimed
producers Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow. Regent releases
10-15 films per year which include co-productions and acquired titles.
Regent is dedicated to showcasing quality independent films;
distributing powerful and thought-provoking world cinema; and nurturing
innovative, emerging filmmakers. Regent releases 10-15 films per
year which include co-productions and acquired titles. Regent
releases include Academy Award® winner "Departures," the
Annie-award nominated "$9.99," Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize
winner "Tokyo Sonata," Iran's Official Entry for the 81st Academy
Awards "The Song of Sparrows," Official Cannes Competition Entry
"Serbis," and "Little Ashes," which focuses on the romance
between Salvador Dali and Federico Lorca starring Robert Pattinson
("Twilight") and Javier Beltrán. Past releases include the
Academy Award®-winner, "Gods and Monsters," Sundance award-winner
"Stephanie Daley," the award-winning documentary, "Showbusiness: The
Road to Broadway" and the indie breakout hit "Kabluey."
For more information, please visit http://www.regentreleasing.com.
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