NEWS FLASH: Public Screenings Announced for Channing Tatum's 'Battle in Seattle' at the Toronto International Film Festival

As you may or may not already know, Channing Tatum's new movie 'Battle in Seattle' will have it's world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival which runs from September 6 - 15, 2007. Below you will find dates and times for the public film screenings and information about the movie so you can purchase tickets to the shows if you're lucky enough to be in or near Toronto. Here is the festival information for the movie:

PUBLIC SCREENINGS

	Saturday September 08	03:00PM	RYERSON
	Monday September 10	03:00PM	SCOTIABANK THEATRE 2

CAST & CREW

Production Company: Remstar Productions Inc./Insight Film Studios Ltd./ Proud Mary Entertainment
Executive Producer: Julien Remillard
Producer: Mary Aloe, Kirk Shaw, Maxime Remillard
Screenplay: Stuart Townsend
Cinematographer: Barry Ackroyd
Editor: Fernando Villena
Production Designer: Chris August
Sound: Bill R. Dean
Music: One Point Six Ltd.
Principal Cast: Martin Henderson, Michelle Rodriguez, Charlize Theron, Woody Harrelson, Ray Liotta, André Benjamin, Rade Sherbedzija, Connie Nielsen, Channing Tatum


FILM DESCRIPTION AND DIRECTOR BIOGRAPHY

The riots that confronted the World Trade Organization’s 1999 meeting in Seattle forced politically minded citizens into some tough intellectual deliberation. First there were the horrible images of smashed windows and police brutality on the news. Questions sprang up: When does a protest stop being peaceful? And what constitutes the appropriate application of law and order in such a situation? At the same time, the politics of globalization came under the microscope. Increasingly unfettered multinational business seems to be increasing wealth in developing nations – but at what cost to the social fabric? All of these issues and more lie at the heart of actor Stuart Townsend’s provocative and heartfelt debut as a director, Battle in Seattle.

The film follows multiple fictional storylines about people affected by the crisis, crossing the spectrum of debate and confrontation to examine what was going on inside and outside the Seattle convention space. The film grounds the sometimes heady politics of civil liberties and global economics by focusing on people’s individual experiences of the event. While its political sympathies clearly tip toward the protestors, Battle in Seattle maintains a certain open-endedness that allows for reasoned continuing debate.

Terrific performances from a wonderful ensemble cast help the director immeasurably. Townsend’s real-life partner, Charlize Theron, is heartbreaking as Ella, the wife of a police officer, who is forced to contend with unexpected violence, finding herself on the wrong side of authority. Ray Liotta as Seattle mayor Jim Tobin and Woody Harrelson as Ella’s husband, Dale, one of the city’s SWAT-like policemen, are key figures; we watch as their ordered view of the world slowly unravels. Michelle Rodriguez, Martin Henderson and André Benjamin play the most prominent protestors, their often naive enthusiasm dulled by mass arrests and mood swings as media reports blame them for the destruction and violence. The wonderful Rade Sherbedzija (also in Fugitive Pieces, our Opening Night Gala) provides an alternative – even ironic – perspective as Dr. Maric, who is fighting for lives in the developing world. Inside the convention centre, he defends his cause to uncaring bankers and trade representatives. His pleas become even less relevant to the room after the well-meaning protests outside become incandescent.

- By Noah Cowan

DIRECTOR/WRITER

Stuart Townsend was born in Dublin and studied at the Gaiety School of Acting there. He started performing for the stage and in Irish short films before landing his first feature-film role in Trojan Eddie (96). His other film acting credits include Shooting Fish (97), Under the Skin (97), Wonderland (99), About Adam (00), Queen of the Damned (02), The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (03) and Head in the Clouds (04). Battle in Seattle (07), which he also wrote, is his feature directorial debut.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Canadian Distributor: Remstar Distribution
International Sales Agent: Hyde Park Entertainment


I don't know at this time if one of these public screenings will actually be the world premiere with all of the stars (including Chan), so I will let you all know when I find out more information.

Thanks to Fabulous Channing Tatum Fan Lisa for giving me the heads up that this information had been posted on the TIFF site!

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