'SOUL SURFER' hangs 10(.6) on opening weekend

April 15, 2011 - 1:45 PDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

For More Information:
Alexis Walkenstein, 678-990-9032,
AWalkenstein@MaximusMG.com

Audiences Give A+ to Inspiring True Story of Faith and Courage

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 14, 2011) - SOUL SURFER, the inspiring true story of teenager Bethany Hamilton - who lost an arm in a shark attack and returned through courage and faith to the top levels of competitive surfing - scored big in opening weekend box offices and drew a rare A+ in CinemaScore exit polls.

"Audience support is phenomenal," Rich Peluso, vice president of AFFIRM Films, said. "Ticket sales exceed expectations, and 96 percent of audiences rate it 'excellent' or 'very good.' That's a whole lot of families and teens having a great time at the movies."

Bethany's church youth leader Sarah Hill, played in the movie by Carrie Underwood, is delighted with the movie's effect on young people, many of them attending with youth groups. "Bethany's story is about faith getting her through tragedy," Sarah Hill said. "And SOUL SURFER brings it to the world: the surprise and pain, the support, the comeback...like Bethany and her family, I'm so proud of this film."

While Christian leaders like Saddleback pastor and author Rick Warren urge people to see SOUL SURFER, "Christianity Today" movie reviewer Mark Moring salutes the mix of Christian values and production values. "It's rare to see a Hollywood film score on two critical points: 1) It's well made and 2) it gets the faith factor," he said. "SOUL SURFER is good from an artistic perspective, and it gets the faith elements without being preachy or watering it down."

We're Back - Greatest Meat on Earth

"Plugged-In" reviewer Bob Waleszewski also likes the faith factor: "...first and foremost it's a true story about a young teenage girl walking through major trauma and doing so with a calm reliance on her faith and family," he said. "Because all of us face trials, we need to see how it's done rightly. Bethany models that for us."

SOUL SURFER'S impact shows in several important weekend indicators:

• $10.6 million weekend estimate at the box office, making SOUL SURFER the No. 4 film in the country and, at $4,788 per screen, second in per-screen average among new films.
• The film's A+ rating from the CinemaScore marketing research firm (exit polls) is "rare" says The Wall Street Journal; the rating suggests a long-term theatrical run.
• By Friday afternoon on its opening day, SOUL SURFER was "trending" on Twitter globally, meaning it was among the top 10 tweeted items, worldwide, for that period.

"From the beginning, this was God's film, and we're delighted with it," Cheri Hamilton, Bethany's mother, said on behalf of the Hamilton family. "As the story goes out, we're trusting God to bless other families through the incredible way he's taken care of us."

SOUL SURFER was released through TriStar Pictures under a deal between FilmDistrict and Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions. Film District with Affirm Films oversaw marketing to the faith audience.

To learn more, visit: www.SoulSurfertheMovie.com or SoulSurferWave.com

About AFFIRM Films
AFFIRM Films is a division of Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA), a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company, dedicated to producing, acquiring and marketing films which inspire, uplift and entertain audiences. SPE is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found at www.SonyPictures.com.

About FilmDistrict
FilmDistrict is a multi-faceted acquisitions, distribution, production and financing company focusing on wide release, commercial pictures. Founded in September by Graham King and Tim Headington's GK Films, in partnership with Peter Schlessel, FilmDistrict recently released INSIDIOUS, which has grossed over 27 million in 11 days. Upcoming films include DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK, Aug. 12; DRIVE, Sept. 16; THE RUM DIARY, Oct. 28; and LOCKOUT, February 24, 2012. For more information, visit FilmDistrict.com or call (646) 380-4470.

Embrace your Faith

About Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, TriStar Pictures
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) and TriStar Pictures are Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) companies. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 140 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found at www.SonyPictures.com.

Contact

http://www.SoulSurfertheMovie.com
GA, 30188 US
Kevin Wandra - ,

Keywords

Soul Surfer, movie, Bethany Hamilton,

Category

OTHER

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