HERE! FILMS ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS
TO FRANCO ZEFFIRELLI’S CALLAS FOREVER

May …. 2004 - The independent production and distribution company, here! Films, has acquired North American distribution rights to Callas Forever, from international sales company Capitol Films.  A new drama from Oscar nominated director Franco Zeffirelli, Callas Forever stars Fanny Ardant as the legendary opera star Maria Callas, Oscar winner Jeremy Irons and Joan Plowright. The film was written by Martin Sherman and Franco Zeffirelli and produced by Riccardo Tozzi and Giovannella Zannoni.  The film was produced by Italy’s Medusa Films.  It features original music by Maria Callas, and the soundtrack is available on EMI Classics.

The drama takes a fictionalized look at Maria Callas’ last days.  The story includes a “Faustian” figure (Jeremy Irons) who magically appears in the singer’s life and convinces her to make an ill-fated comeback.  It will be released by here! Films in Fall 2004.  Zeffirelli worked with Maria Callas on many acclaimed opera productions.  His numerous credits include the Oscar nominated Romeo and Juliet, La Traviata, Otelllo, Hamlet and Tea with Mussolini.

“We are thrilled to have acquired Franco Zeffirelli’s Callas Forever from Capitol Films.  The film beautifully captures the incredible Maria Callas,” stated Paul Colichman, Chairman of Regent Entertainment and President of here!.  Mark Reinhart, Executive Vice President of Distribution & Acquisitions, who negotiated on behalf of the company added, “We are proud to add this film to our repertoire.”

Recently, here! Films acquired North American distribution rights to Merci…Docteur Rey!, a new comedy from Ismail Merchant and James Ivory.  The film stars Dianne Wiest, Jane Birkin, Bulle Ogier, Simon Callow and Stanislas Merhar, and marks the directorial debut of Andy Litvack, who also wrote the original screenplay.  Other here! films include the cult classic Sordid Lives starring Delta Burke, Olivia Newton-John, Beau Bridges and Bonnie Bedelia (which was the top grossing gay-themed independent film of 2002) and Showboy, a mockumentary from writer-director Christian Taylor (Six Feet Under).  President of Regent Entertainment/here! TV, Paul Colichman’s other film credits include: the Oscar-winning Gods and Monsters starring Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser; the Oscar nominated Tom and Viv, a film version of the off-Broadway hit starring Miranda Richardson, Willem Dafoe, and Rosemary Harris (Richardson and Harris both received Oscar nominations for this film); Twilight of the Golds starring Faye Dunaway, Rosie O’Donnell, Brendan Fraser and Jennifer Beals; and My New Gun starring Diane Lane, which debuted at the Director’s Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.  Additionally, the here! Films and TV theatrical library encompasses more than 500 titles.

here! Films, a division of here!TV, was established in 2002 by Regent Entertainment co-founders Paul Colichman and Stephen P. Jarchow.  here! Films combines this worldwide film distribution and sales operation with a newly launched US TV programming service.  here! TV, currently available in more than 22 million households, is the nation’s first full-service content provider offering a wide variety of high quality movies, original series and general entertainment programming targeted to a broad base gay and lesbian audience.  Currently available on DIRECTV and ECHOSTAR and to cable operators via VOD, SVOD or pay-per-view service, the network will extend its service to a full 24-hour, seven day a week schedule of movies, original series, classic films and other programming starting October 1, 2004, making it the first national gay network!

Chasen & Company

Ronni Chasen (310) 274-4400

ronni@chasenpr.com

Jeff Sanderson (310) 888-1419

jeff@chasenpr.com