Regent
Releasing announced Wednesday that it has acquired
worldwide distribution rights to Saving
Marriage, a documentary on gay marriage from
producer-directors John Henning and Mike Roth. The
company has decided to release the film in select
cities beginning October 10 in an effort to defeat the
anti-gay marriage measure Proposition 8 in
California and encourage voter turnout in the
November 4 election.
Regent has also
partnered with Equality California, a leading
organization fighting for marriage equality in California.
The partnership is designed to help the organization
raise visibility and funds for the No on Prop. 8
campaign through advance benefit screenings of
Saving Marriage in Los Angeles and San
Francisco.
"We are proud to
join the fight for marriage equality in California and
across the country and are honored to be working with such a
talented producing team and amazing organization like
EQCA on the release of this important documentary
before such a pivotal election period," said Mark
Reinhart, West Coast general manager and executive vice
president, distribution and acquisitions, for Regent.
"We hope this film will not only educate audiences on
the importance of defeating Prop. 8 in California but
encourage Americans nationwide to vote locally," he
added.
Saving Marriage chronicles the two years after the
Massachusetts supreme judicial court ruled gay
marriage legal in that state in November 2003. Public
outcry pushed conservative legislators to attempt to enact a
constitutional amendment that would override the decision
and take marriage rights away from gay and lesbian
couples. The film details the fight as career
politicians stand up to their constituents and follow
their hearts, seasoned lobbyists see the dream of the gay
rights movement suddenly within reach, and gay
citizens are spurred to action.
Saving Marriage will be released in the following
markets: San Francisco (10/10), Los Angeles (10/17),
Boston (10/17), New York City (10/24), and Denver
(11/7). (Corey Scholibo, The Advocate)
