FilmRise has announced the Theatrical On Demand release of the feature-length version of “WILDLAND,” which takes viewers inside the lives and experiences of a group of men who battle wildfires. The television version of the documentary debuted nationally on PBS’ Independent Lens on Oct. 29, 2018, which launched a grassroots driven theatrical on demand campaign for the release of the 77-minute director’s cut of the film set to begin exhibition in movie theaters Jan. 16, 2019.
Filmmakers Alex Jablonski and Kahlil Hudson’s cinematic theatrical cut, shot using 6K cameras, includes approximately 27 minutes of additional footage not seen in the PBS Independent Lens broadcast, enabling an immersive communal experience in the beautifully detailed format it was shot in for theater-goers.
“The Theatrical On Demand model of distribution by design harnesses the passion and demand of audiences who wish to experience and support films that connect with them. Screenings occur only when an individual presenter achieves a minimum level of pre-sales which are generated using social media, personal contacts, relationships and local resources. It’s amazing to see these events come together and how they each generate stimulating conversation and more interest. WILDLAND is the perfect film for this model of distribution.” says FilmRise CEO, Danny Fisher.
“WILDLAND” was filmed over two fire seasons. It’s a sweeping yet deeply personal account of a single wildland firefighting crew as they struggle, for the first time, with fear, loyalty, dreams, and their own demons. The film goes beyond the surface and into the intimate lives of these men. What emerges is a rich story of working-class men—their exterior world, their interior lives and the fire that lies between.
The documentary follows these men from the beginning, during their interviews, where they are being asked why they want to begin this career path. It is here that viewers meet Tim, John, Charlie and Aidan -- four men who are determined to change and give meaning to their lives.
The film documents the grueling and treacherous training period and then actual life-threatening moments battling live wildfires. It’s during these vulnerable moments that filmmakers were able to capture each man’s personal story revealing a deeper motivation to pursue employment as a wildland firefighter.
Details on how to host a local screening can be found on the film’s website: www.wildlandfilm.com.
“WILDLAND” has a running time of 77 minutes and is not rated.
About the Filmmakers
Alex Jablonski
Alex produced and edited Low & Clear which premiered at SXSW where it won the Audience Award. Previously Alex created the documentary project Sparrow Songs in which he made one short documentary a month, every month for a year. The project developed a worldwide following and he was named to Filmmaker Magazine’s list of The 25 New Faces of Independent Film. The series was spotlighted at Sundance and screened at SXSW at IDFA. In 2018, Alex was named as the Sundance Institute I Discovery Impact Fellow.
Kahlil Hudson
Kahlil is a Native Tligit Alaskan and currently a professor of film at Santa Fe’s Institute of American Indian Arts. His first feature documentary Low & Clear premiered at SXSW and went on to screen at numerous festivals including True/False, HotDocs, and IDFA. Kahlil is the co-founder of Finback, a creative content agency that bring documentary-style storytelling to brands and whose handled large campaigns for Filson and Ram Trucks amongst others.
ABOUT GATHR FILMS THEATRICAL ON DEMAND
Gathr Films is a technology-based specialty theatrical distributor for documentaries and issues-oriented films. Gathr pioneered Theatrical On Demand in 2011 democratizing motion picture theatrical distribution. Gathr also distributes faith films and other independent movies.
ABOUT FILMRISE
FilmRise is a film and TV distribution company and streaming channel network founded by veteran producer/financiers Danny Fisher, Jack Fisher and Alan Klingenstein. With over 15,000 titles in a wide range of genres, the company’s releases include HBO’s multiple Emmy-winning “Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief”; “Janis: Little Girl Blue,” produced by Oscar-winner Alex Gibney; two-time Academy Award-nominee Julie Delpy’s “Lolo; and the Sundance hit “White Girl”. Television titles include such classics as “Roseanne” and “3rd Rock from the Sun”, as well as the iconic Robert Stack hosted series “Unsolved Mysteries” and Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Kitchen Nightmares.”
FilmRise’s recent releases include “Manifesto” starring two-time Oscar-winner Cate Blanchett; sci-fi drama “Marjorie Prime” starring Jon Hamm and Lois Smith; the box-office hit “My Friend Dahmer” starring Ross Lynch and Anne Heche; and “The Miseducation of Cameron Post” starring Chloë Grace Moretz.
For more information, please visit www.FilmRise.com.
Contact:
Jill Goldstein
Deana Dor
JGoldsteinPR
[email protected] 646-449-9614
