DAVID LYNCH Announces Distribution Partnerships and Theatrical Release Dates for INLAND EMPIRE

DAVID LYNCH Announces Distribution Partnerships and Theatrical Release Dates for INLAND EMPIRE

518 Media to Handle Theatrical Distribution; Rhino to Distribute DVD

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- David Lynch's distribution company ABSURDA, who purchased the rights to self-distribute his latest film INLAND EMPIRE from Studio Canal in late October, has contracted 518 Media to assist in theatrical distribution, while Rhino Entertainment will distribute the DVD. Staying true to the spirit of the film, Lynch's distribution partnerships are modeled to allow complete freedom and creativity. Additionally, Lynch and fellow producer Mary Sweeney have retained PR awards specialist mPRm Public Relations, with whom they worked on MULHOLLAND DRIVE, to assist in the films many possible awards considerations, most notably Laura Dern and Lynch himself.

Sig Sigworth, Rhino's Vice President of Video, said, "Being in business with a director of David Lynch's caliber is immensely exciting for Rhino. David was looking for a new distribution model where he would have total creative control, and we were fortunate enough to develop a model that afforded him that control. He's taking his hands-on approach to filmmaking and carrying it all the way through theatrical and physical distribution."

Peter Langs, CEO of 518 Media, also acknowledges the unique alliance, saying, "Directors want to reach their own, appreciative audience and continue to reach them on an almost personal level -- and the 518 Media distribution model allows this to happen."

For his part, Lynch is energized by the do-it-yourself element of the release. "I like the idea of going around and meeting the people, being amongst the people, and go like back in the old days when people would put their records in the backseat of the car and hit the road to meet the DJs to get a record played," Lynch said. "For the first time since Eraserhead I can start meeting the theater owners again, the ones at the end of the chain that have played my films over the years and helped me out."

INLAND EMPIRE OPENING DATES:

Wednesday, December 6, IFC Center -- NEW YORK

Friday, December 8, Brattle Theater -- BOSTON

Friday, December 15, Laemmle Sunset 5 -- LOS ANGELES

Friday, December 15, Laemmle Playhouse 7 -- PASADENA

For wide release information visit: WWW.INLANDEMPIRECINEMA.COM

INLAND EMPIRE debuted at the Venice Film Festival and had its U.S. Premiere at The New York Film Festival where it was highlighted by Salon.com as the festival's "hottest ticket" and received gala screenings at the AFI Fest on November 3 and 6 in Los Angeles.

About ABSURDA

ABSURDA is an Irvine, CA based distribution and interactive media company owned by David Lynch and managed by Eric Bassett.

About Rhino Entertainment

Based in Burbank, California, Warner Music Group's Rhino Entertainment serves as the central catalog development, licensing, soundtrack, and television marketing area for the corporation. Rhino develops, markets, and promotes both audio and video products from the vast WMG catalog and through new productions with established artists. The division is also responsible for licensing WMG's music for film, television, and video game uses, and for creating custom premium products

About 518 Media

518 Media Inc. is engaged in the acquisition, distribution, finance, and co-production of motion pictures, television programs, DVD, VOD, digital and telephonic media. Its principal officer, Peter Langs, has distributed in excess of 150 theatrical films for directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, Terry Gilliam, Mike Judge and Werner Herzog. Additionally, he has produced EMMY(R) nominated and Telly Award(R) projects and films for AMC, TBS and Universal Studios. 518 Media's affiliation with noted directors and producers such as Norm Hill, Carl Tostevin, Wayne Mogel, Randy Holleschau, Andre Singer, OSCAR(R) winner Christine Le Goff and multi EMMY(R) winner Kevin Brownlow.

Source: David Lynch

CONTACT: New York, Nicole Jordan, +1-650-346-1103,
nicole@davidlynch.com, or Los Angeles, Karen Oberman, +1-323-933-3399, both
for David Lynch

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

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information regarding INLAND EMPIRE, or to attend a press screening in New York, please contact Nicole Jordan at nicole@davidlynch.com, PHONE: 650-346-1103. In Los Angeles, contact Karen Oberman at 323-933-3399. For theatrical booking information contact Peter Langs at admin@518media.com, PHONE: 818-763-7788. For more information regarding Rhino's DVD, contact Christoph Buerger at christoph.buerger@rhino.com. PHONE: 818-238-6248.

-------
Profile: intent