LAS VEGAS, NV. (Top40 Charts/
National Geographic Entertainment) -
National Geographic Entertainment (NGE) announced today that Best Buy has been named the official Presenting Sponsor and exclusive consumer electronics partner for the 'U2 3D' theatrical release in the United States. The film, directed by Catherine Owens and Mark Pellington, was produced by 3ality
Digital and will open in limited release Jan. 23, 2008, in approximately 25 IMAX theaters and will go wide to national digital 3D theaters in February.
The movie, filmed during the South America leg of U2's Vertigo Tour, captures the intimacy between band and audience in a unique, visceral way and establishes a new standard in 3-D digital technology.
'We are thrilled to welcome Best Buy as a valued partner in rolling out this unique theatrical experience,' said Lisa Truitt, president of National Geographic Cinema Ventures, a division of NGE, the film's worldwide distributor. 'What better sponsor to support this film than Best Buy, one of the world's most respected brands for providing cutting-edge technology products to consumers?'
Best Buy will be incorporated in NGE's expansive online, in-store, in-theater, radio and print marketing campaign for the film. As presenting sponsor, Best Buy also will receive pre-film credit for all 'U2 3D' screenings and will be able to provide members of the Reward Zone loyalty program with access to Preview Nights at IMAX theaters in more than 25 markets.
'We are extremely excited to join NGE in presenting such a special cinematic adventure,' said Barry Judge, senior vice president of marketing, Best Buy. 'This sponsorship allows us to support new, ground-breaking entertainment technology while at the same time providing our customers with a completely new experience with one of the world's greatest bands.'
'U2 3D is the first live-action digital 3-D movie ever produced, and we are very happy that Best Buy is collaborating on this ground-breaking endeavor,' said Sandy Climan, CEO of 3ality Digital and executive producer, U2 3D. 'We are pleased to have developed the filmmaking techniques and proprietary digital 3-D technology that are now allowing fans to experience music and motion pictures in an immersive way that we could only imagine a few years back. It is technology that will allow fans a new way to experience music.'
'U2 3D' transforms a series of live concerts by one of the world's most acclaimed bands into a completely new entertainment experience. Owens, U2's visual content director for more than 15 years, and Pellington, who directed U2's 'One' video, take viewers on an extraordinary cinematic journey, a quantum leap beyond traditional concert films and traditional 3-D.
3ality Digital's Steve Schklair, Jon Shapiro, Peter Shapiro and John Modell, along with Owens, produced the 3ality Digital production. 3ality Digital's Sandy Climan, Michael Peyser and David Modell are executive producers.
Distribution of the film will be led by Mark Katz, president of NGCV distribution. Russell Schwartz, former president of marketing for New Line Cinema, will oversee the marketing of the film's release.
