Matthew McConaughey Starrer SURFER, DUDE Rides Waves to Anchor Bay Entertainment

Matthew McConaughey Starrer SURFER, DUDE Rides Waves to Anchor Bay Entertainment

Actor Also Producing Off-Beat, On the Beach Comedy, Which Is Due for Release in Late Summer

BURBANK, Calif., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Matthew McConaughey plays the dual role of star and producer on the new comedy SURFER, DUDE, which Anchor Bay Entertainment has acquired for release in the U.S. Anchor Bay Entertainment President Bill Clark announced the deal today.

Anchor Bay Entertainment plans to release McConaughey's SURFER, DUDE late this summer followed by release on DVD and other home entertainment formats. It stars McConaughey along with Woody Harrelson, Willie Nelson, Scott Glenn, and a strong cast of fresh faces including Alexie Gilmore, Nathan Phillips, Ramon Rodriguez, Sarah Wright, Zachary Knighton, and Jeffrey Nordling, in a film directed and co-written (with Cory Van Dyke) by S.R. Bindler, director of Hands on a Hard Body. Jason Berk and Matt Lane executive produced and financed the picture through Berk|Lane Entertainment, with additional financing provided by Winchester Capital Management. McConaughey's production company, jklivin, produced.

SURFER, DUDE tells the tale of a soul-searching surfer who is experiencing an existential crisis. McConaughey stars as Steve Addington who finishes a world surf tour and returns to his hometown of Malibu. At first, it's a great reunion but reality quickly sets in.

"SURFER, DUDE is about a surfer who lives to surf. When the waves disappear for an entire summer -- he goes mad," said producer Mark Gustawes. "Matthew plays a character who's a throwback to the '70s: Peace, love, and a righteous wave is what SURFER, DUDE is all about. Anchor Bay dug it -- and we decided to surf it, together."

The film is the latest theatrical release from Anchor Bay Entertainment, the country's leading independent home entertainment company. It recently scored strong reviews and box office for The Grand and Sex and Death 101. Anchor Bay Entertainment is a subsidiary of Starz Media.

"The acquisition of SURFER, DUDE underscores where this company is headed," Clark said. "We will continue to acquire strong titles for theatrical and DVD release while maximizing the abilities of the various divisions at Starz, including our global sales team and the premium entertainment channels. We're excited about working with talent of Matthew McConaughey's caliber, as well as the creative production team assembled for this fun project."

"We're pleased to be working with Anchor Bay Entertainment on the release of SURFER, DUDE," stated Berk and Lane jointly. "This new relationship affords us some unique opportunities across many platforms."

The deal was negotiated by CAA and Mark Ward and Josh Thomashow of Anchor Bay Entertainment.

About Berk|Lane Entertainment

Beverly Hills-based Berk|Lane Entertainment (formerly Union Square Entertainment) was founded and is headed by Jason Berk and Matt Lane. The company specializes in producing and financing mid-budget indie films which challenge filmmakers and inspire audiences, developing projects internally and financing those from outside producers. Its founders are dedicated entertainment professionals who combine experience in motion picture development, production, business affairs and finance. They have been involved, at both the independent and studio level, in the distribution and physical production of motion pictures. By providing a central source of financing and an intimate team environment, Berk|Lane streamlines the production process to allow filmmakers to create world-class entertainment. Upcoming projects for Berk|Lane include The Company Men, written and directed by John Wells, and All the Ships at Sea, with Vic Levin directing from his script.

About Anchor Bay Entertainment

Anchor Bay Entertainment, LLC is a subsidiary of Starz Media, LLC. Starz Media, LLC, is a programming production and distribution company operating worldwide. It includes the Film Roman, Anchor Bay Entertainment, and Manga Entertainment brands. Its units create animated and live-action programming -- including theatrical films -- and programming created under contract for other media companies. It distributes that programming, and programming acquired from outside producers, through home video retailers, theaters, broadcasters, ad supported and premium television channels, and Internet and wireless video distributors in the US and internationally. Starz Media (http://www.starzmedia.com/) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, and is attributed to Liberty Capital Group, a tracking stock group of Liberty Media Corporation.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Anchor Bay Entertainment, LLC

CONTACT: Jonathan Taylor of Starz Media, +1-818-748-4032,
Jonathan.Taylor@Starz.com; or Sue Procko of Sue Procko Public Relations,
+1-323-653-5153, Sue@sueprockopr.com

Web site:

http://www.starzmedia.com/

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