Married at MIPCOM: Lightworks Program Distribution Brings Famed Director Michael Apted's 'Being Married' to Cannes

Married at MIPCOM: Lightworks Program Distribution Brings Famed Director Michael Apted's 'Being Married' to Cannes

Happily Ever After? World-Renowned Filmmaker and Creator of Award-Winning Series '7 UP' Visits 9 Couples for an In-Depth Look at Marriage in the 21st Century

NEW YORK, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Lightworks Program Distribution (LPD) today announced that acclaimed filmmaker Michael Apted's "Being Married" will headline its slate of programs to be presented at MIPCOM and will debut the second installment of the series. "Being Married" is a "reality TV" alternative which takes an incisive look at the courtship, marriage, and progression of 9 couples. Combining interviews with footage of the couples on dates, interaction with their families, the actual wedding ceremonies, and the challenges they experience 5 years after the wedding, the film provides a fascinating perspective on the cultural phenomenon of marriage in the 21st Century.

"Being Married" is inspired by Michael Apted's world-famous "7/UP," which began in 1964 and is considered to be the greatest longitudinal documentary effort of all time, according to a panel of 400 distinguished UK filmmakers assembled by Channel 4. Currently the president of the Director's Guild of America, Michael Apted's career spans documentaries and features. His feature films include the recently released "Amazing Grace," an historical drama which tells the story of William Wilberforce, a British Parliamentarian who led abolitionists in their crusade to end the slave trade in late 18th century England; "Gorillas in the Mist," "Coal Miner's Daughter," The James Bond film "The World is Not Enough," and "Nell," among others. His other documentaries include "Me and Isaac Newton," "Incident at Oglala," and "Moving the Mountain."

"Michael Apted's accomplishments, including his past and present films, are of the highest quality and we are delighted to be associated with him," said John Cuddihy, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Lightworks Program Distribution. "'Being Married,' exclusively distributed by LPD, is no exception to that statement. The documentary leverages the endless and timeless fascination with what makes lasting relationships work and reflects the most significant ways in which marriage and relationships are being challenged and re-defined," Mr. Cuddihy continued. "Lightworks Program Distribution's library consists of bold, entertaining programs which convey the challenges of today's world. I'm confident that 'Being Married' will captivate viewers world-wide and will be a worthy addition to our award- winning library."

In the first installment of "Being Married," nine soon-to-be-married couples discuss their relationships, their decision to get married, their backgrounds, their views on sex, divorce and their expectations and dreams for the future. The second installment revisits each of the 9 couples to find out how their lives have changed and how their relationships progressed in the first five years of married life. Despite their cultural, geographical, and socio-economical differences, each of the couples-regardless of age or sexual orientation, face similar challenges within a marriage: the stresses of jobs, living situations, and in some cases, children.

David Dreilinger, President & CEO of Lightworks Enterprises, added, "We could not be more pleased to work with Michael Apted on this project, produced in the style that he pioneered. This is a further indication of the growth of our organization and the caliber of award-winning talent that is involved in our programs."

"Being Married" will premiere in prime time in the US on Hallmark Channel in 2007.

About Lightworks Program Distribution

Lightworks Program Distribution offers hundreds of hours of high-quality, award-winning television programming available for licensing in the United States and internationally. Its original programs have aired on Hallmark Channel and other major outlets. Lightworks Program Distribution is the exclusive distributor of programs from Faith & Values Media and other major suppliers. Lightworks Enterprises Inc., the parent company of Lightworks Program Distribution, is a vertically integrated organization that encompasses television and new media production, distribution and exhibition. For more information, please visit http://www.lightworksdistribution.com/.

Source: Lightworks Program Distribution

CONTACT: Christine Luzano for Lightworks Program Distribution,
+1-212-485-8521, cluzano@lightworksdistribution.com

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

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