LIGHTNING STRIKES SOUTH OF THE BORDER WITH "LA LINEA"
Lightning Entertainment Acquires International Distribution Rights To Crime Drama "La Linea" Starring Andy Garcia and Ray Liotta
Film To Debut at AFM
Santa Monica, CA - October 21, 2008 - Santa Monica-based sales and distribution company Lightning Entertainment, announced today that it has acquired international distribution rights to the gripping crime drama thriller "La Linea" starring Andy Garcia and Ray Liotta. The announcement was made today by Lightning Entertainment co-President Richard Guardian.
Right out of today's headlines and set in the heart of the narco-trafficker wars on the mean streets of Tijuana, in addition to Garcia and Liotta, "La Linea" boasts an all-star cast that includes Esai Morales ("Fast Food Nation"), Armand Assante ("American Gangster"), Bruce Davison ("X-Men 2"), Jason Connery ("Velocity"), Michael DeLorenzo ("A Few Good Men"), Joe Morton ("American Gangster"), Valerie Cruz ("Nip/Tuck"), Jordi Vilasuso ("The Lost City"), Danny Trejo ("Con-Air"), Kevin Gage ("Blow") and Gary Daniels ("The Legend of Bruce Lee").
The film is produced by R. Ellis Frazier ("Confessions of a Pit Fighter") and Geoffrey G. Ross. Frazier also wrote the screenplay which was directed by James Cotten ("Sugar Creek").
"La Linea" is a character driven action thriller set in the rich and atmospheric cityscape of Tijuana, Mexico. The story follows veteran assassin Mark Shields (Ray Liotta) as he battles with years of pain and guilt while tracking down 'Pelon' (Esai Morales), the elusive, violent and psychotic leader of Mexico's Salazar Cartel. Pelon has taken over for the ailing Javier Salazar (Andy Garcia), and has made a deal to move the Cartel's business from Columbian Cocaine to Afghani Heroin. The deal will make him the most powerful Narco-terrorist since Pablo Escobar.
The film skillfully combines crisp action sequences and the brutal violence that mirrors today's headlines, with plot and storyline twists that find their soul in the characters that inhabit the most dangerous city in North America.
The deal was negotiated by Lightning Senior Vice President of Acquisitions Joseph Dickstein and Guardian with the producers represented by Alexis Garcia of the Endeavor Agency.
Commented Guardian, "'La Linea' is filled with layered and flawed characters, all with their own agendas as they seek some form of clarity and purpose. Avoiding the clichés of a narcotics/assassin action film, "La Linea" delves deep into the psyche of the people who are trying desperately to make some sense of their existence before it is too late. We're excited for the buyer response at the AFM."
Lightning Entertainment is introducing the film to foreign buyers for the first time at the upcoming AFM in Santa Monica where it will be screened for the first time. The Endeavor Agency will negotiate domestic rights.
About Lightning Entertainment:
Based in Santa Monica, Lightning Entertainment is a distribution company involved in worldwide distribution and licensing of independent film product, as well as acquisitions and co-productions. Helmed by Richard S. Guardian and Rich Goldberg, Lightning brings 10-12 quality films to the marketplace every year. Current Lightning titles include Jada Pinket Smith's "The Human Contract"; the inspiring sports drama "Forever Strong;" the thriller "The Shortcut" from Leomax Entertainment and Adam Sandler's Happy Madison Productions; the coming-of-age comedy "Hey Hey, Its Esther Blueburger"; and the psychological thriller "Anamorph" starring Willem Dafoe.