PRODUCER OF "A FOREIGN AFFAIR" SUES MYRIAD PICTURES FOR FRAUD AND BREACH OF CONTRACT

We have filed suit on behalf of our client Black and White Films, Inc., the producer of the independent feature A Foreign Affair, starring David Arquette, Tim Blake Nelson and Emily Mortimer. Our suit was filed suit in California Superior Court against international sales distributor Myriad Pictures, Inc.

The suit alleges that Myriad failed to pay $110,000 of a $200,000 advance as required by the terms of its distribution agreement. According to the suit, Myriad also failed to pay $25,000 for a Hi-Def to film transfer, and breached the agreement by failing to provide the producer with quarterly accounting statements. The Plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $163,000 plus interest and punitive damages.

The motion picture (released on home video as 2 Brothers & a Bride) was the debut feature of director Helmut Schleppi, and was written by Geert Heetebrij and follows two naive brothers from small-town America (Arquette, Nelson) who, after their doting mother passes away, travel to Russia as part of a singles program, hoping to find a traditionally minded woman like their mom. The film premiered at the January 2003 Sundance Film Festival and was also shown at the May 2003 Cannes Film Market. The film was released theatrically in the United States in May 2004.

"We completed delivery of the Picture to Myriad in April 2004, at which time the balance of the advance was due," according to Geert Heetebrij the writer/producer of the picture. "Myriad's excuse for their failure to pay us has been that they are having cash flow problems."

Mark Litwak, attorney for the Plaintiff said, "Despite repeated requests over almost two years, Myriad has refused to live up to its contractual obligations, leaving the Plaintiff no choice but to file this suit."


Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School opens on March 31, 2006

Congratulations to our clients Art Klein and Eileen Craft, producers of Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School which will open in more than 50 cities on March 31, 2006. A Sundance film festival favorite, the film is being distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films.

The film stars Robert Carlyle, Marisa Tomei, Mary Steenburgen, Sean Astin, Donnie Wahlberg, David Paymer, Sonia Braga, Ernie Hudson, Danny DeVito and John Goodman.

for more details on the movie, and to see a trailer.

DeNadie Wins Mexican Academy Award

Congratulations to our client, Tin Dirdamal, whose film DeNadie won the Mexican Academy Award for best documentary.

The film also won the World Cinema Documentary Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

The film follows immigrants from South America as they traverse Mexico on a dangerous journey to try to reach the Promised Land, the United States. While there have been films that have explored the poor treatment and abuse of Mexican immigrants in the United States, this is the first film I have seen that has shown how immigrants from Honduras and Guatemala are robbed and beaten by both vicious Mexican gangs and the police.

Read more about the award at:

http://www.academiamexicana.com/academia/48/ganadores.html

http://www.golemproducciones.com/industria/nominacionarieles_0206.htm

Read more about the film at: http://www.indiewire.com/people/2006/01/park_city_06_ti.html