PRESS RELEASES
Heartland Adds Two Films to Truly Moving Pictures List
December 14, 2006
Indianapolis, IN — According to the Indianapolis-based Heartland Film Festival®, moviegoers should add the beloved children’s story “Charlotte’s Web” and the poignant drama “We Are Marshall” to their list of must-see films this holiday season. Heartland is honoring each film with a Truly Moving Picture Award. The award recognizes theatrically-released films that exemplify excellence in filmmaking and Heartland’s purpose to explore the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. |
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“Charlotte’s Web” and “We Are Marshall” join an elite and ever-expanding list of films to receive the award and be deemed Truly Moving Pictures by Heartland.
"We're excited to have a little something for everybody in our newest Truly Moving Picture Award winners," said Jeffrey L. Sparks, President and CEO of Heartland Film Festival. "We know the wonderful story and characters in 'Charlotte's Web' will endear audiences across the country, while the moving sports story of 'We Are Marshall' will bring families and friends closer together."
Based on the best-selling children’s book, “Charlotte's Web” is the ultimate tale of friendship. When Fern (Dakota Fanning) saves the runt of a litter of piglets, she and Wilbur form an instant bond. Sent to live on Zuckerman's farm, Wilbur's destined for the dinner table unless his friends can save him. With the help of a barn full of characters, the ever-enchanting Charlotte (Julia Roberts) crafts words in her web over the door. Her perseverance pays off when Wilbur makes an appearance at the county fair.
E.B. White’s story of loyalty and sacrifice comes to life in this live-action adaptation by Paramount Pictures and Walden Media. The all-star cast voicing the animals includes Steve Buscemi, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, John Cleese, Robert Redford, Kathy Bates, Reba McEntire, Thomas Haden Church and Andre Benjamin. “Charlotte’s Web,” directed by Gary Winick, will open nationwide on December 15.
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Based on true events, “We Are Marshall” tells an inspiring story of how a small town in West Virginia, steeped in the rich tradition of college football, struggled to restore their community after one of the worst disasters in the history of American sports. For decades, players, coaches, fans and families came together in Huntington to cheer on Marshall University’s “Thundering Herd.” For this team and community, Marshall football was more than just a sport, it was a way of life. |
But on a fateful night in 1970, while traveling back to Huntington after a game in North Carolina, 75 members of Marshall’s football team and coaching staff were killed in a plane crash. As those left behind tried to cope with the loss of their loved ones, they found hope and strength in the leadership of Jack Lengyel, a young coach who was determined to rebuild Marshall’s football program and in the process help to heal a community. The Warner Bros. Pictures film, in association with Legendary Pictures, stars Matthew McConaughey, Matthew Fox, Anthony Mackie and David Strathairn. “We Are Marshall” is directed by McG and will open nationwide on December 22.
“Charlotte’s Web” and “We Are Marshall” join other 2006 Truly Moving Picture Award recipients “Amazing Grace,” “Cars,” “Everyone’s Hero,” “Flicka,” “Glory Road,” “Happy Feet,” “The Lake House,” “Lassie,” “Nanny McPhee,” The Nativity Story,” “The Queen,” “Saving Shiloh,” “Sophie Scholl – The Final Days,” “Take the Lead” and “Tsotsi.” Fifty-five (55) films have been honored since the award’s inception in 2000. To view Heartland’s complete list of Truly Moving PicturesSM, visit www.TrulyMovingPictures.org.
Heartland created the Truly Moving Picture Award as a way to honor theatrically-released films that demonstrate the Heartland purpose with excellence, inspiring and enriching lives. Submissions are received directly from studios and producers for consideration. Since the industry decides a film’s success based on the opening weekend box office, Heartland encourages audiences to attend a Truly Moving Picture on its first weekend.
Heartland and the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY) also selected “Charlotte’s Web” as the ninth film in their collaborative program called F.I.L.M., “Finding Inspiration in Literature and Movies.” The literacy and film program encourages youth associated with NCY organizations around the country to screen the program’s featured films, read the books/scripts associated with the movies, utilize the activity guides and partake in related service projects. Heartland and NCY hope that by participating in F.I.L.M, youth will gain an appreciation for literature and film and will be inspired to realize their full capabilities. To learn more about the “Charlotte’s Web” movie and program, and to download the youth development activity guide, visit www.youthfilmproject.org.
Heartland Film Festival, a non-profit organization, was established in 1991 to recognize and honor filmmakers whose work explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life. Each October, Heartland screens Truly Moving Pictures from around the world and presents $200,000 in cash prizes and Crystal Heart Awards to the Festival’s top entries. This includes a $100,000 Grand Prize for Best Dramatic Feature underwritten by the Max Simon Charitable Foundation, a $25,000 Award for Best Documentary Feature and a $10,000 Vision Award for Best Short Film underwritten by Vision Racing. The remaining $65,000 is shared among the Crystal Heart and Jimmy Stewart Memorial Crystal Heart Award winners. Heartland has awarded more than $1.6 million in 15 years to support filmmakers in their quest to create Truly Moving Pictures.
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