WHO'S PICKING A FIGHT WITH "FIFTY SHADES"?

OLD FASHIONED--a Small-Budget Indie--Climbs in the Ring With Valentine Weekend's Studio Behemoth

OldFashionedMovie.com

BURBANK, Calif. -- Nov. 13, 2014 --Get ready to rrrr-rumble!  Release of the new “Fifty Shades of Grey” trailer has a video/trailer response from underdog OLD FASHIONED, also opening nationwide on Valentine’s weekend 2015.   OLD FASHIONED Calls Out “Fifty Shades of Grey”  In this corner, the heavyweight Cineplex champ “Fifty Shades of Grey”--bestselling soft porn about a naïve heroine and a tortured leading man who likes his women that way too. In this corner, OLD FASHIONED, in which two souls who are 50 shades of jaded try to build a love to last. OLD FASHIONED is the story of a former frat boy and a free-spirited woman who together attempt the impossible: an “old-fashioned” courtship in contemporary America. In his new video riposte to the “Fifty Shades” trailer (full transcript here), OLD FASHIONED writer/director Rik Swartzwelder opens with the obvious. “Why would a modestly budgeted romantic movie like OLD FASHIONED want to jump in the arena and go toe-to-toe in a David vs. Goliath standoff with a cultural juggernaut? “Well, honestly, because we believe it matters,” he answers. “And I gotta believe—I find it impossible not to believe—that deep down we want to celebrate something more than ‘Fifty Shades.’  As with Christian Grey in “Fifty Shades,” OLD FASHIONED protagonist Clay Walsh packs a past. In contrast to Grey, however, Clay resists his friends’ cynicism and rejects the dead-end pain of standard dating. While Christian Grey leads Ana to the Red Room of Pain, Clay Walsh takes pains to avoid using Amber, whom he’s attracted to. “When did treating women with respect become the joke?” Clay asks in the film. In an earlier scene he muses, “I don’t believe dating trains us to be good husbands and wives. It trains us to be skilled in the superficial.”   OLD FASHIONED “is a compelling look at modern relationships through the lens of honor,” Melinda Ledman writes in Christian Cinema. “ . . . a fascinating dive into the respectfulness of the past and its plausible application for the present.” “‘Fifty Shades’ is short-term titillation and OLD FASHIONED offers a long-term alternative,” Producer Nathan Nazario explained. “Audiences want to hear that the best of the past is still possible—that a relationship can be the safe room.” “Maybe it’s time for a line in the sand,” Swartzwelder said. “How much further can the envelope be pushed?  OLD FASHIONED raises questions worth asking from a cultural perspective. What is it that we genuinely aspire to, what is it we truly hope and long for?  For ourselves?  Our children?  Is it objectification?  Unbridled pursuit of our basest desires? Is that the legacy we want to create?  Is that the American dream?” On Valentine’s weekend, the battle is at the box office, but Nazario says the action already is underway. “The more clicks on the OLD FASHIONED site, the greater our voice to say the values that got us here are the best ones to take into the ring,” he said. OLD FASHIONED, from Freestyle Releasing, opens nationwide on Valentine’s weekend 2015.  For interviews, contact:  Michael Conrad  Michael@Lovell-Fairchild.com 214-616-0320 To learn more about OLD FASHIONED, visit: OldFashionedMovie.com For press materials, visit: OldFashionedMovie.com/pressroom or EPK.tv For updates and breaking news, follow @OldFashionedVow on Twitter or visit the Old Fashioned Movie Facebook page. About Skoche Films Skoche Films is an independent motion picture development company dedicated to crafting cinematic narratives that entertain, challenge and inspire.  For additional information on Skoche Films and its properties, please visit the official website at http://www.skochefilms.com. About Motion Picture Pro Studios Motion Picture Pro Studios is a production and creative services company specializing in film, television and entertainment. For more information on Motion Picture Pro Studios, visitmotionpicturepro.com. About Freestyle Releasing Freestyle Releasing is a full-service, theatrical, motion picture distribution company that helps independent companies, major studios and mini-major studios exhibit their films in first-class theatrical releases. The founders and principals of Freestyle Releasing, Mark Borde and Susan Jackson, are motion-picture industry veterans. The Freestyle platform is an anytime-anywhere capability in the viewer’s choice of medium, a positive digital viewing experience on any device in any location. http://www.freestylereleasing.com

INDIE ‘OLD FASHIONED’ SETS UP DAVID V. GOLIATH WITH ‘50 SHADES’ IN THEATERS VALENTINE'S DAY 2015

Freestyle Releasing Targets Counter-Programmer as a Date Night Alternative for Christian Couples, Singles and Like-Minded Romantics OldFashionedMovie.com BURBANK, Calif. – July 28, 2014 – OLD FASHIONED—an indie faith-based film that offers up a rather  unique and challenging take on chasing love in today’s culture—will open Valentine’s weekend 2015. The co-announcement was made today by Bill Reeves, Owner, Working Title Agency, producer Nathan Nazario and Freestyle Releasing Co-President, Mark Borde, who will distribute OLD FASHIONED in a platform theatrical release. “I wanted to tell a love story that takes the idea of Godly romance seriously,” said Rik Swartzwelder, the film’s award-winning writer-director and lead actor.  “A story that, without apology, explores the possibility of a higher standard in relationships; yet, is also fully aware of just how fragile we all are and doesn't seek to heap guilt upon those of us that have made mistakes.” A faith-based romantic drama, OLD FASHIONED centers on former frat boy, Clay Walsh, and Amber Hewson, a free-spirited woman, who together attempt the impossible: an “old-fashioned” courtship in contemporary America. "Opening the same weekend as FIFTY SHADES, there's definitely a David v. Goliath comparison," Swartzwelder continued.  "They will have more screens, more money, more hype . . . but we're hopeful that we are not alone in our belief that there are others out there who desire more from love--and the movies--than objectification or domination.  That being the case, we simply want to offer an alternative view on the topic of romance; and, perhaps even dare to suggest that there is a more beautiful way to which we all can aspire." “OLD FASHIONED is a unique indie film, and we’re excited to partner with the first faith-based theatrical release to specifically target the underserved Christian singles audience,” said Freestyle Co-President, Mark Borde. “It’s also a very tender and artful film, and we see the potential for some crossover here.” Freestyle recently released the faith-based drama GOD'S NOT DEAD, which surpassed $60 million dollars in domestic box office receipts. “We’re delighted to partner with Freestyle, who clearly demonstrate a passion for quality storytelling and a proficiency in reaching specialized audiences,“ added Reeves. OLD FASHIONED features Swartzwelder as Clay and Elizabeth Ann Roberts (TV: Heroes, House, Southland; FILM: RAGAMUFFIN, BLACK KNIGHT) as Amber. The film also stars Dorothy Silver (THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, PROMISED LAND), Tyler Hollinger (BLACK DOG, RED DOG), Lejon Woods (TOMORROW YOU’RE GONE), Nini Hadjis, Maryann Nagel (TAKE SHELTER), Joseph Bonamico (TRUMPET IN THE LAND), Lindsay Heath, Anne Marie Nestor and Ange’le Perez. OLD FASHIONED is produced by Swartzwelder’s Skoche Films, Nathan Nazario of Motion Picture Pro Studios, Dave DeBorde and Nini Hadjis. Freestyle Releasing distributes. The distribution deal was negotiated by Mark Borde, Bill Reeves of Working Title Agency and Nathan Nazario on behalf of Skoche Films, LLC and Old is New, LLC. Swartzwelder is a writer-director-producer whose films have screened at over 145 film festivals worldwide and garnered over 50 major awards, including a Crystal Heart and a CINE Special Jury Award. OLD FASHIONED marks his feature film debut. OLD FASHIONED was shot on location in rural northeastern Ohio by David George and features an original score by Kazimir Boyle. Its eclectic soundtrack includes work from Bill Mallonee, Connie Lim, Roz Bell, Ralston Bowles, Alfa Garcia and Scott Krippayne, among others. This fall, OLD FASHIONED begins promotional screenings across the country. In addition, Tyndale House Publishers will release two books based on the film: Old Fashioned, a novelization of the screenplay written by Rene Gutteridge, and a non-fiction devotional, The Old Fashioned Way, on relationships and dating, written by Ginger Kolbaba. E-book release of both titles is Sep. 1, 2014, with print versions releasing mid-January 2015. For interviews, contact:  Michael Conrad  Michael@Lovell-Fairchild.com 214-616-0320 To learn more about OLD FASHIONED, visit: OldFashionedMovie.com For updates and breaking news, follow @OF_movie on Twitter or visit the Old Fashioned Movie Facebook page. About Skoche Films: Skoche Films is an independent motion picture development company dedicated to crafting cinematic narratives that entertain, challenge and inspire.  For additional information on Skoche Films and its properties, please visit the official website at http://www.skochefilms.com. About Motion Picture Pro Studios: Motion Picture Pro Studios is a production and creative services company specializing in the film, television and entertainment industries. For additional information on Motion Picture Pro Studios, please visit the official website at http://www.motionpicturepro.com. About Working Title Agency: Working Title Agency (WTA Services, LLC) is a leading faith-based film marketing and financing agency. Launched in 2009, the agency represents and assists authors, writers and filmmakers in developing books, films and consumer products. Through ideation, product development, distribution, financing and marketing, the agency, and its team has been involved in successful films such as Fireproof, Courageous, Soul Surfer, God’s Not Dead and Heaven is for Real and books including Alex and Stephen Kendrick’s The Love Dare. For more information on Working Title Agency, visit: www.thewtagroup.com. About Freestyle Releasing: Freestyle Releasing is a full-service, theatrical motion picture distribution company that specializes in representing independent companies, major studios and mini-major studios for the purpose of exhibiting their films in a first-class theatrical release. The founders and principals of Freestyle Releasing, Mark Borde and Susan Jackson, are highly regarded and experienced motion picture veterans with a combined total of over a century of respected work in the industry. This is a platform that delivers an anytime-anywhere capability in the medium of their choice and a positive digital viewing experience on any device in any location. http://www.freestylereleasing.com