MGM'S 'Capote' Honored With 5 Oscar(R) Nominations

MGM'S 'Capote' Honored With 5 Oscar(R) Nominations

Biopic in Oscar(R) Contention in All Major Categories

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- They're dancing up and down the halls at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and United Artists over the just announced Academy Award(R) nominations and the industry's recognition of "Capote." As the turnaround at MGM continues to pick up momentum, "Capote" was honored with five nominations as the official contenders for the 78th Annual Academy Awards(R) were announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis and Oscar(R)-winner Mira Sorvino.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO)

A United Artists production and distributed by Sony Pictures Classics and a presentation of an A-Line Pictures, Cooper's Town Productions, Infinity Media production, "Capote" is nominated as one of the Best Films of the year. In addition to its Best Film nomination, the membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences also bestowed nominations on the film's lead actor (Philip Seymour Hoffman), supporting actress (Catherine Keener), director (Bennett Miller) and its adapted screenplay (Dan Futterman).

Fresh from his Golden Globe(R) win for actor in a dramatic film role, Hoffman's performance has already earned awards from the LA Film Critics, the New York Film Critics and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association(R) with the aforementioned Golden Globe(R) win, among others. The LA Film Critics cited Hoffman for bringing a striking dedication, passion, intelligence and complexity to the role of Truman Capote.

Harry E. Sloan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGM stated: "United Artists is proud to have made this movie. When the project was brought to UA's creative team, they immediately recognized the movie's potential to strike a chord with audiences. The passion of the cast and crew only intensified during the production, validating that 'Capote' was going to be a standout film. We join the industry in recognizing the amazing contributions of the cast and filmmakers of 'Capote' and are extremely proud of the film's association with MGM as we begin this new chapter in our history."

"Capote" covers the six year period when author Truman Capote, assisted by his friend Harper Lee, unearthed the secrets of a small Kansas community in dissecting the murder of a local family. Clifton Collins Jr. ("Life of the Party," "Traffic") takes on the role of Perry Smith, one of the accused killers with whom Capote develops a close relationship. The end result is a classic piece of American literature, In Cold Blood, which revealed America's violent heart and signaled the ultimate destruction of a literary genius.

About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,000 titles. Operating units including Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc, MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM on Stage, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 110 countries. MGM ownership is currently as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), Texas Pacific Group (21%), Sony (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

CONTACT: Jeff Pryor/Priority Public Relations USA
t. 818-338-3555; e. jeff@prioritypr.net

Marylou Johnston/Priority Public Relations EUROPE
t. 011 33 6 8777 4989; Marylou@prioritypr.net

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011119/MGMLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

CONTACT: Jeff Pryor of Priority Public Relations USA, +1-818-338-3555,
jeff@prioritypr.net, for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.; or Marylou Johnston of
Priority Public Relations EUROPE, +011 33 6 8777 4989, Marylou@prioritypr.net,
for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Web site: http://www.mgm.com/

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