BGST..the MPPP of the video world.......Tuesday November 9, 8:20 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
BigStar Entertainment Shatters Film Distribution
Channels
Acclaimed Independent Film Producer Turns Down Deals and Distributes Movie Via the Web
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 1999--BigStar Entertainment, which operates www.bigstar.com, the leading online
superstore dedicated exclusively to filmed entertainment products, will finally shatter traditional distribution channels for films.
In a bold move, the film Home Page, directed and produced by leading independent filmmaker Doug Block, can be purchased on
home video at www.bigstar.com and viewed via broadband technology simultaneously with its theatrical premiere. Bigstar.com
will be the exclusive retailer for the film.
The film, Home Page started in '96 as a mid-life search into the much-talked about online world, then came to focus on
self-revealing diarists, in particular Justin Hall, a charismatic 21-year-old who uses his home page to reveal his life's intimate
details. Home Page was a critical and audience favorite at Sundance, Rotterdam and other international film festivals.
Roger Ebert said that the film ''bubbles with the heady excitement of the Web's early days,'' while Entertainment Weekly called it,
''fascinating, provocative... a witty, artfully structured personal exploration.''
The movie will open in New York on November 19 at the Cinema Village. Starting November 12, it will be viewable online by
clicking to www.ifilm.com. Those viewing the film online will be able to have one truly interactive film experience: on the side of
the screen, there will be links to buy the video from BigStar and to access the fan sites and e-mail addresses of the movie's stars.
Director and producer Block said: ''This revolutionary three-way distribution method is just common sense. The concept of
distribution windows for films is being shattered by the Internet. Why should viewers have to wait months after the film's debut for
the home video to come out? The film is a documentary about the Internet, life and relationships in the cyber era. What better way
to market and distribute it than on the Web?''
bigstar.com, the leading online destination for videos, digital video discs (DVD's) and laserdiscs sees this as setting a trend in film
distribution windows.
''We wanted to be a part of changing the way people purchase filmed entertainment,'' said Donna Williams, BigStar's Senior Vice
President of Marketing and Business Development. ''In addition, we saw it as an opportunity to truly support independent film
producers.''
BigStar is the independent filmmaker's friend, Block said. In particular, ''since documentaries tend to have limited showings in
theaters nationwide, BigStar's connection is a great help. Home Page's story about the Internet appeals to a broad audience - and
BigStar's connection makes the film accessible to people from New Hampshire to Nevada.''
About the Producer
Doug Block is an independent director, cameraman and producer who has earned numerous film awards including an Emmy, a
Peabody, and three jury prizes at the Sundance Film Festival. Home Page is a Copacetic Pictures presentation, produced in
association with Home Box Office and ZDF-Arte. It was produced by Block, Jane Weiner and Esther Robinson, and edited and
co-written by Deborah Rosenberg. Block's own home page on the three-year film project is (www.d-word.com).
About BigStar Entertainment
BigStar Entertainment, Inc. (www.bigstar.com) is a leading online filmed entertainment superstore, based on customer traffic to its
websites, that is exclusively dedicated to filmed entertainment products. BigStar sells videos, digital video discs, or DVDs, and
laserdiscs. Bigstar.com will be the sole retailer of Home Page on video; sales will begin on November 12.
About IFILM
IFILM (www.ifilm.net) is the Web's leading distributor of independent film on the Internet. It will provide streaming of Home
Page free starting November 12. When the theatrical run begins on November 19, Home Page will be placed in the IFILM
pay-per-view channels for those with high-speed modems.
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