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THINKFilm To Release Scott Caan's 'Dallas 362' in Select Markets Following Strong Run on Festival Circuit

By Sunlion Films
Mar 22, 2005, 04:15

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Sunlion Produced Film Features Actor's Indie Directorial/Writing Debut

Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY -- Scott Caan, who has made a name for himself as an actor in major films such as "Ocean's Eleven" and "Ocean's Twelve," "Gone in Sixty Seconds," "Varsity Blues" and the upcoming films "Into the Blue" and "Friends With Money" (co-starring Jennifer Aniston), wore many hats on the independent feature film, "Dallas 362." The first-time writer-director's efforts have been rewarded with a strong run on the festival circuit and now limited release by THINKFilm, who will bring the gritty, semi-biographical story to Dayton, Austin, Columbus and Los Angeles in the coming months.

Caan stars as Dallas, who with his best friend Rusty (Shawn Hatosy), struggles along the path of young adulthood through bar brawls, drinking, smoking, swearing, going out, girls and trouble to the crossroads in their lives where each must make a decision about where they're headed. Rusty's mother Mary (Kelly Lynch) and her therapist boyfriend Bob (Jeff Goldblum) intercede to get Rusty on the right path, but it's his dream of following in his dead father's footsteps as a rodeo cowboy that pushes his friendship with Dallas and their own personal journeys to a breaking point. Ultimately, it's a story of friendship, relationships between mother and son and father and son and the redemptive power of love.

"I have been acting for years," said Caan. "I was fanatical about it, and loved the process but wanted to play roles that I really cared about. I joined a theatre group and began to write and direct plays to take control over the creative process. I then wanted to bring my writing to a larger audience, so filmmaking was the next logical step. The greatest part of my experience on this movie, was finding that directing was the most comfortable I had ever been."

Caan added, "I love working with actors behind the camera as much if not more than working alongside them. There is also nothing more fun than playing a part that was written just for me. As an actor, you can find the most in yourself from characters that you create, as there is no better role than the one you write for yourself. As much as I love acting, I feel more creatively satisfied writing and directing, which I believe is the natural progression for my career."

Gregory K. Sabatino's Sunlion Films produced the film along with the Emmy Award(R) winning Kip and Kern Konwiser's Konwiser Brothers Entertainment. Brian Williamson and Beau Flynn are the executive producers of the film, which features a stellar cast that also includes Heavy D, Bob Gunton, Marley Shelton, Val Lauren, Selma Blair, Isla Fisher and Freddy Rodriguez.

"The film is smart and engaging, with strong performances and cultural sensibilities. Watching the film, it's hard to believe this is Scott's first directing effort," said THINKFilm President and CEO Jeff Sackman.

Sunlion Chairman Gregory K. Sabatino echoed Sackman's sentiments. "Dallas 362 is the kind of project we seek, one that ignites not only our imaginations but those of the potential audience. We want to partner with talented writers, directors and actors like Scott Caan who believe passionately in their projects and are willing to share in traditional producer responsibilities. It's been truly exciting watching both critics and audiences respond to this movie."

With a soundtrack featuring Blues Saraceno, Cymande, Queens of the Stone Age, The Stooges, Taj Mahal and the Von Bondies among others and writing and direction that belies Caan's rookie status, "Dallas 362" received acclaim at multiple festivals prior to securing THINK distribution. The film was a critical selection at the London bfi Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and the STARZ! International Film Festival, and won the Critic's Jury Prize at the CineVegas International Film Festival.

"Dallas 362" makes its theatrical debut April 1 in Sabatino's hometown of Dayton, Ohio, followed by an April 22 opening at The Dobie Theatre in Austin, Texas and Columbus, Ohio's AMC Lennox Town Center 24 and May 6 at the Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles. To see the trailer, images from the film and more, please visit http://www.dallas362.net .


THINKFilm is a privately held company with offices in Toronto, New York and Los Angeles. Current releases include "Born into Brothels," winner of the Oscar(R) for Best Documentary, and "The Assassination of Richard Nixon" starring Sean Penn, Naomi Watts and Don Cheadle. THINKFilm's "The Story of the Weeping Camel" was also nominated for an Oscar(R) in the Documentary Category. The Sundance Award winner, "Murderball," is a summer THINKFilm release.


Sunlion Films is a division of Sunlion, focused on the production and marketing of independent feature films, including two with $3 to $5 million budgets in the next 18 months. Chairman of Sunlion, Gregory K. Sabatino is also CEO of Sabatino/Day, one of Advertising Age's top 225 advertising agencies and managing partner of Mandalay Branded Entertainment, a joint venture with Mandalay Entertainment, developing strategic entertainment properties for national brands.


Konwiser Brothers Entertainment writes, produces, directs and markets theatrical films, documentaries, cable and network movies and series and other forms of entertainment media with a variety of industry and independent financing partners. Among their most notable credits and awards are the Emmy award winning "Miss Evers' Boys" and "On Hallowed Ground." Current projects include a feature length documentary for Burton Snowboards and Mandalay Entertainment as well as a multi-picture deal with Ving Rhames executive producing that includes "Animal" starring Chames, Chazz Palmenteri, Jim Brown and Wes Studi.

Website: http://www.dallas362.net


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