Los Angeles, CA (May XX, 2002)'³ Robbie Little, Co-Chairman of First Look Media (OTC BB: 
FRST; http://www.firstlookmedia.com), announced today that First Look Media has acquired international rights excluding Germany to the film Luther, a film about the man most people consider one of the most important historical figures in the past 1,000 years, Martin Luther. The film is currently shooting in Central Germany, Bavaria, Italy and the Czech Republic.

The film stars Joseph Fiennes (Elizabeth, Shakespeare In Love), Alfred Molina (Chocolat, Prick Up Your Ears), Sir Peter Ustinov (Sparticus, Topkapi), and Bruno Ganz (Bread and Tulips, Wings Of Desire). Directed by Eric Till from a script by Camille Thomasson and Bart Garvigan, the film is produced by Alexander Thies, Brigitte Rochow and Christian Stehr.

Luther tells the story of a brilliant, God fearing man who becomes a monk destined to recover and publicly interpret the fundamental truth of the bible. This realization gives Luther the conviction and passion necessary to challenge the tyranny of a monolithic church. Secure in his beliefs, Luther refuses to retract his confrontational writings, even as the world he was born into crumbles around him. 

Luther is a production of NFP in collaboration with AAL/LB (Aid Association for Lutherans/Lutheran Brotherhood) and Degeto Frankfurt, with support from the German Federal Film Board FFA, Bavarian Film and Television Funding FFF, Mitteldeutsche Medienfârderung MDM and Filmboard Berlin-Brandenburg. A theatrical release in Germany is planned for Autumn 2003.

One of the financiers of Luther is the Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL). The AAL began as result of a simple need the need for people to help protect their families through life insurance. AAL began in Appleton, Wisconsin, during the dawn of the 20th century. Four local Lutherans worked together to begin a new organization that provided affordable insurance and did not conflict with Lutheran beliefs. The result 
was a fraternal benefit society that has grown from 500 members in 1902 to nearly 1.9 million members today.

"Luther brings an a-list cast and a provocative subject matter to the big screen", said Little.  Martin Luther'­s amazing journey is a story of hope and perseverance which transcends religious beliefs and strikes at the heart of men and women searching for truth. It'­s a powerful and ultimately uplifting story, which everyone can understand and appreciate.'

Now a division of First Look Media, Overseas Filmgroup, founded by Ellen and Robbie Little, is one of the few truly independent worldwide film distribution companies specializing in the acquisition, financing, packaging and distribution of independently produced feature films of all genre. The Overseas Filmgroup upcoming slate includes Evelyn (directed by Bruce Beresford, starring Pierce Brosnan and Julianna Margolies); Between Strangers (directed by Edoardo Ponti, starring Sophia Loren, Mira Sorvino, Deborah Kara Unger Pete Postlewaite, Malcolm McDowell and Gerard Depardieu); Julie Walking Home (directed by Agnieszka Holland, starring Miranda Otto, Lothaire Bluteau and William Fichtner); Knight'­s Castle (directed By John Boorman); The Nugget (starring Eric Bana); Skins (directed by Chris Eyre, starring Graham Greene); Bark (directed by Kasia Adamik, starring Lisa Kudrow, Vincent D'­Onfrio, Hank Azaria, Lee Turgensen and Heather Morgan); and Loving Miss Barrett (adapted from Virginia Woolf'­s best-selling book). 

Previous films include Before Night Falls (directed by Julian Schnabel, starring Javier Bardem, Olivier Martinez, Johnny Depp and Sean Penn); Greenfingers (starring Clive Owen, Helen Mirren and David Kelly); Titus (directed by Julie Taymor, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange); Waking Ned Devine (which grossed over $25 million in the U.S. box office); and The Prophecy  (starring Christopher Walken and achieving $17 million in U.S. box office).

First Look Media (publicly traded as OTC BB: FRST) is the corporate name for five divisions comprised of overseas Filmgroup, First Look Pictures, First Look Home Entertainment, and two new divisions, First Look Artists and First Look Internet. As a fully integrated multimedia company, First Look Media is now poised to take advantage of new platforms across all segments of the market. The company is headed by Chris Cooney, Co-Chairman and CEO; Robbie Little, Co-Chairman and President; and Bill Lischak, COO and CFO. For more information, please visit our website at www.firstlookmedia.com.

First Look takes Luther International

source:Screendaily.com
 

First Look Media has acquired international rights excluding Germany to Luther, a biopic of Martin Luther currently shooting in central Germany, Bavaria, Italy and the Czech Republic with Joseph Fiennes playing the title character.

Alfred Molina, Peter Ustinov and Bruno Ganz co-star in the film which is directed by Eric Till and produced by Alexander Thies, Brigitte Rochow and Christian Stehr. Luther follows the man's life from the God-fearing man who becomes a monk who grows to challenge the tyranny of a monolithic church and reinterpret the bible.

The film is an NFP production in collaboration with AAL/LB (Aid Association for Lutherans/LutheranBrotherhood) and Degeto Frankfurt with support from the German Federal Film Board FFA, Bavarian Film and Television Funding FFF, Mitteldeutsche Medienforderung MDM and Filmboard Berlin-Brandenburg. A theatrical release in Germany is scheduled for autumn 2003.