YOUNG @ HEART Hits A High Note

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Thursday 30th October 2008

YOUNG @ HEART Hits A High Note Soaring To #2 In The New Zealand Box Office Chart

A surprise hit for New Zealand audiences where sell out sessions helped YOUNG @ HEART soar to #2 in the box office this week.

Following on from a hugely successful outing at the New Zealand Film Festival with standing ovations, YOUNG @ HEART has received extensive critical acclaim and has solidified itself as a real ‘must see film’ for NZ audiences this year.

YOUNG @ HEART is an inspiring documentary about a senior citizens chorus that has delighted audiences worldwide with their covers of songs by everyone from The Clash to Coldplay. Director Stephen Walker follows the chorus members as they are led by their strict musical director Bob Cilman as they rehearse for their new show. What ultimately emerges is a funny and unexpectedly moving testament to the simple things these seniors value: old friendships, new challenges and a little time in the spotlight.

The film looks set to break the boundaries of success for documentaries in this country with this incredible movement following it. Boutique and multiplex audiences alike have fallen in love with the guys and girls from the YOUNG @ HEART chorus.

Perhaps this film is just what the doctor ordered in this darkened economic climate, with its delightful characters and uplifting attitude. In particular, chorus member Fred Knittle, who steals the show with his haunting rendition of ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay, has spoken to media in New Zealand and been loved by radio audiences throughout the country with his big heart and big voice.

Cinemas across the country are urging their customers to make bookings to see this film. Stand-in cinema manager Corey Henderson at The Bridgeway Cinema in Auckland said “We have had sell-out sessions of YOUNG @ HEART all week, we are having to change our answer-phone to urge patrons to pre-book. This film will be our biggest film this year, beating out huge hits like Mamma Mia!”

The opening week success is pleasing to Rialto Distribution, a small independent team who have had outstanding successes at the box office with special films such as Amazing Grace and Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont, that also struck chords with New Zealand audiences. When asked about the YOUNG@HEART opening Kelly Rogers CEO remarked “This film is simply charming, and deserves to be seen by a wide audience, it is uplifting and life affirming and we are thrilled that cinema patrons agree”

YOUNG @ HEART is in cinemas across the country now - rocking its way to the top of the charts as one of the truly unmissable films of the year!

ENDS

© Scoop Media