Sex, Drugs, and Historic Goals

Sex, Drugs, and Historic Goals

The First Narrative Feature Film about the Most Famous (and Most Controversial) Soccer Player of All Time, Diego Armando Maradona

Like Water for Chocolate's Marco Leonardi stars in the Xenon Pictures/Lionsgate release, which comes to DVD February 26

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Though he has been the subject of numerous documentaries, books and even songs, MARADONA: THE HAND OF GOD is the first dramatic film on the life of the world's greatest soccer player Diego Armando Maradona. The film, though made with Maradona's cooperation, nevertheless gives an honest portrayal of the man both worshipped and reviled by soccer fans around the world, recreating many of the controversial incidents that have contributed to his legend.

(Photo:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080227/LAW020)

Raised in the impoverished outskirts of Buenos Aires, young Diego fell hopelessly in love with the game of soccer, the sport that would bring him fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams. While still a child, he achieved national celebrity playing with the youth team, "Cebollitas," and ultimately became an international star through his enormous talent, bigger-than-life personality and tremendous passion on and off the field.

Controversy seems to come naturally to Maradona, who has been the object of both worship and hatred throughout his life: As a child, he was often derided by the upper classes for his indigenous ancestry; he has been the inspiration for numerous songs, some singing his praises ("Santa Maradona"), some not ("Maradona, You're Sh%t"); churches in his native Argentina offer a Maradona service, while the city of Naples has built a shrine in his honor. This landmark film pulls no punches in its portrayal of the complex character that is Maradona, and has a unique appeal for both his admirers and his detractors.

MARADONA: THE HAND OF GOD delves into the inspiring yet shocking realities surrounding the man revered as a god by soccer fans around the world; a man who experienced both dizzying highs and devastating lows, as he battled his demons under immense public scrutiny. The film garnered three nominations in 2007 from the National Union of Italian Film Journalists in the categories of Best Actor, Best Musical Score, and Best Editor. It's a well-crafted, heartfelt film that must be experienced!

Helmed by acclaimed director Marco Risi and starring Marco Leonardi (Like Water for Chocolate, Once upon a Time in Mexico), the film is named for Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal from the 1986 World Cup quarter-final match against England. (The referee failed to notice that Maradona had used his hand to make the goal. When questioned afterward, Maradona replied, "a little with the head of Maradona and a little with the hand of God.") The single-disc DVD package will be available at all major retail and online stores for $19.98 (SRP), in Spanish with English subtitles. (High resolution cover attached)

SYNOPSIS:

Marco Leonardi stars as Argentine soccer hero Diego Maradona, considered the greatest player in the history of the sport. Dramatizing many of the shocking highs and lows of this extraordinary athlete, the film explores his impoverished childhood, his rise from teenage celebrity to international idol, his drug abuse problems and frequent run-ins with the law, and his now infamous "hand of God" goal. MARADONA: THE HAND OF GOD is an affectionate, unflinchingly honest portrait of a man touched by God, yet pursued by demons.

MARADONA: THE HAND OF GOD
Street Date: February 26th, 2008
Language: Spanish
Subtitles: English
Running Time: 110 minutes
Distributed in North America by Xenon Pictures / Lionsgate

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Photo: NewsCom:

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080227/LAW020
AP Archive:

http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN2
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Xenon Pictures

CONTACT: Publicity, Juan Fernando Rivera, +1-305-865-4900, or
+1-813-298-7945, JFRivera.ULE@gmail.com, or Dania Echeverri, +1-305-865-4900,
or +1-954-240-1879, Dania.Echeverri@gmail.com, both of Unlimited Entertainment
Marketing, LLC, for Xenon Pictures

Web site:

http://www.xenonpictures.com/

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