by Larry Richman
May 18, 2008 4:07 PM
Dance of the Dead was my
#1 Top Pick from this year's SXSW Film Festival. We attended the World Premiere on March 9 and have been covering the progress of the film ever since. I've described
Dance of the Dead as a groundbreaking combination of high school mayhem and zombies -- think John Hughes meets John Carpenter meets George Romero.
Bleiberg Entertainment, whose Ehud Bleiberg produced the film along with writer/director Gregg Bishop through Compound B, brought the film to the Marche du Film (Cannes Film Market) in hopes of getting distribution. It didn't take long. Several major players teamed up for the deal. First, Ghost House Pictures, led by a team including legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi, joined with Grindstone, a leader in direct-to-video, to form Ghost House Underground. This new venture then teamed up with indie king Lionsgate to distribute 12-20 genre titles annually through their home entertainment division. The inaugural slate of films, scheduled to be released in North America this fall, will feature Bishop's
Dance of the Dead.
"Between Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert at Ghost House, the experience of Barry and Stan at Grindstone, and Lionsgate, who is the king of genre marketing and distribution...
Dance of the Dead has found the perfect home," said director Gregg Bishop. "I am thrilled to be working with them both and I know they will do a fantastic job bringing the movie to audiences everywhere."
"It will be a major US DVD release through Lionsgate and Ghost House," according to production designer James Jarrett. When asked if he was disappointed that the film won't make it to movie houses, Jarrett noted, "I am just glad we have a release and with a name like Sam Raimi attached, that poses a very bright future indeed! I am quite satisfied with this news personally. It is encouraging based on who noticed and that it will be released as part of a fall lineup."
I can only echo their remarks. This is a film that has so much to like it's bound to cross genres and please audiences of all types. Earlier on this blog you can find
my review,
pictures from the Q&A following the screening,
a video interview with lead actor Jared Kusnitz, and
an interview with Kusnitz and co-star Greyson Chadwick.
Look for
Dance of the Dead to hit store shelves this October.
