Americanizing Shelley DVD Dances Into Stores February 2008

(PRLEAP.COM) On February 5, 2008, Polychrome Pictures in conjunction with Warner Home Video (Warner Bros.) will distribute the hit independent film "Americanizing Shelley" on DVD simultaneously in the US and Canada for American Pride Films Group and Uniglobe Entertainment. UK/India based distributors iDream Productions, who’s popular titles include "Bend It Like Beckham" and "Monsoon Wedding," will handle the India and international release of this comedy feature.

The PG-rated Americanizing Shelley is recognized as the first "homegrown" Hollywood film with Bollywood elements. The film also features unprecedented duets that merge Country Rock with Bollywood music. Rocky Mountain Pictures (distributors of "Red Line") opened "Americanizing Shelley" with limited theatrical engagements in 10 US cities during May 2007.

"Americanizing Shelley," which Variety refers to as a "charming twist on the assimilation comedy, the Ugly Duckling story, even "Cyrano de Bergerac"," is a true Hollywood-Bollywood offering shot predominately in Hollywood. The cast and crew consists of veteran, respected Hollywood and Bollywood talent such as multiple Golden Globe winner Beau Bridges, Namrata Singh Gujral, and "Sopranos" director Lorraine Senna. Additionally, the indie made cinematic history by boasting the first documented "muhurat," an auspicious inaugural Hindu ceremony, in a Hollywood film.

As a contemporary, quasi-Pygmalion comedy set in LA, "Americanizing Shelley" centers around an American country boy portrayed by Brad Raider and a Himalayan village belle (Gujral), allowing Middle America to meet the Middle East. When the CEO of a Hollywood management firm (Bridges) promises Raider’s character a job if he can Americanize the young Himalayan girl and make her a celebrity, a culture clash ensues. As he teaches her about American lifestyle and what it takes to be a true Hollywood starlet, he ends up learning a few things about his own life. Their differences soon give way to understanding, unity and love as they begin to see the world through each other’s eyes.

Namrata Singh Gujral of "The Agency" and "Kaante" fame, wore multiple hats for "Americanizing Shelley." Gujral served as writer, producer, female lead, and even lent her voice to a Bollywood-meets-Nashville duet with Steve Azar entitled "Dancin’ In The Clouds." In an interview with AskMen.com dated October 27, 2007, Gujral discusses the surprise country music hit. "I’m the first performer with Asian roots to score a country music song that’s been featured on the CMT network," Gujral comments. She continues, "This feat is yet another example of how successfully "Americanizing Shelley" has blended East and West."

In addition to Gujral and Bridges, the internationally recognized cast includes Shaheen Khan ("Bend It Like Beckham"), Phillip Rhys ("24", "Nip/Tuck"), Wil Wheaton ("Star Trek"), Brad Raider ("Spring Break Lawyer"), Morgan Brittany (Dallas) and Ronreaco Lee ("Guess Who", "Sister, Sister").

Lorraine Senna ("The Sopranos") directed the film with cinematography from veteran DP Christo Bakalov ("Whirly Girl", "Samsara") and editing by Troy Takaki ("Hitch", "Sweet Home Alabama"). Music is composed by Jay Ferguson (NBC’s "The Office", "Charlie’s Angels") with sound supervision from Oscar winner Greg Watkins ("Dances with Wolves"). Shot in the U.S. and India, the film was partially post produced at Warner Brothers Studios in Burbank, CA.

"We’re excited to have "Americanizing Shelley" as part of our family," remarks Danny Rodriguez, COO and Senior VP of Acquisitions for Polychrome Pictures. "This independent features a high caliber of talent and a family-friendly plot that has undeniable appeal and likeability. Anyone seeking top quality entertainment with a fresh independent voice will find it in "Shelley" and our other titles for 2008 and beyond."

"Americanizing Shelley" garnered tremendous critical acclaim and an outstanding audience response when it premiered at the Closing Night ceremony of the Nashville Film Festival 2007 and premiered internationally at Cannes 2007.

Detailed release info at: www.americanizingshelleythemovie.com

ABOUT POLYCHROME PICTURES
Polychrome Pictures is a full service entertainment, production, and distribution company which supplies a steady stream of content to Warner Home Entertainment in the US and Canada. (www.polychromepictures.com)

ABOUT AMERICAN PRIDE FILMS GROUP
Formed by Atlanta native Joe Cooper, APFG is a Hollywood based studio, with a global mission to foster positive intercultural exchange and growth between the West and the East via the medium of films and entertainment. Upcoming projects include Sci-Fi thriller STILL and a war action drama based in Iraq titled RED, WHITE and BLUE. (www.americanpridefilms.com)

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