STARLIGHT RUNNER ENTERTAINMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“RED LIGHT AUGUST” ACCEPTED INTO SLAMDUNK FILM FEST JEFF GOMEZ’s SHORT PSYCHOLOGICAL DRAMA WILL SCREEN TWICE IN PARK CITY DURING SUNDANCE FESTIVITIES

Red Light August, a music-driven psychological drama by writer/director and noted video game creator Jeff Gomez, has been selected for screening at the Slamdunk Film Festival which takes place in Park City, Utah, simultaneously with the Sundance Film Festival, January 24 - 28, 1999.

The 30-minute 35mm short was accepted by Justin Henry, the Acquisitions Director of the Slamdunk Festival, which is best known for premiering the documentary Kurt & Courtney last January when Sundance would not screen it because they feared legal reprisals for the film's allegation that Courtney Love had something to do with the death of Kurt Cobain.

Red Light August is the story of a young artist named Boothe, who suffers from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and has isolated himself an old public school converted to look like a Medieval castle in the heart of Spanish Harlem. Boothe’s fragile friendship with Eric, a homeless teenage poet, is endangered when Eric discovers clues to Boothe’s bizarre OCD ritual. The striking first three minutes of the film are definitely in the "you don't see that every day" category, distinguishing it from the white-washed As Good As It Gets depiction of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

Gomez, who has struggled with the tormenting intrusive thoughts and repetitive rituals of OCD since childhood, says he wants the film to draw attention to one of the most hidden and misunderstood mental afflictions among young people. Tony Award-nominated actor Richard H. Blake studied the disorder closely in order to fully realize the character of Boothe. Noted Hong Kong action shooter Derek Wan (Jet Li’s Fist of Legend) handled the film's lush cinematography, and its haunting score features songs by such Euro-techno acts as Lamb, Lo Fidelity Allstars, Death in Vegas, Superswirls, and Ashtrax.

The film also marks a distinct new direction in Gomez’s career, which has thus far been highlighted by his fantasy and science fiction writing on the highly successful Magic: The Gathering and Turok: Dinosaur Hunter comic book and video game franchises. His “Primagen” storyline and mythology for Turok 2: Seeds of Evil has helped the Nintendo 64 game gross over $90 million since its release this past December, making it more lucrative than virtually any feature film over the same span of time.

Justin Henry himself was nominated for an Academy Award for his work as the little boy in Kramer Vs. Kramer nearly twenty years ago. Slamdunk was founded when one of Justin's films was not accepted by Sundance or Slam Dance two years ago.

Justin has been actively looking for unusual, well made films that have some kind of buzz around them. Red Light August came to his attention after being contacted by Simian Pictures co-producer Robert Spinak. Slamdunk also accepted two other Simian Pictures shorts, the comedies Methods and The Woman in Martin Schwartz’s Life.

Red Light August, a co-production of Zealous Pictures, Simian Pictures, and Starlight Runner Entertainment, will be screened twice at Slamdunk’s chosen theater on Main Street in Park City between January 24th and 28th. The film will also be screened on videotape at both the Simian Pictures chalet, and the Zealous/Starlight Runner condominium in Park City that week. All three production companies will be giving out videos as well as the Red Light August/Interactive Film Guide CD-ROM to the press and interested parties.

If you’re in Park City during the festivities, and wish to see the film, call Kai Bau-Madsen at 435-647-4100. All other inquiries can be directed to Chrysoula Artemis at SREArtemis@aol.com.