..Gary Dretzka
..Noah Forrest
..Leonard Klady
..R.J. Matson
..David Poland
..Douglas Pratt
..Ray Pride
..Michael Wilmington

November 16, 2007

For Immediate Release:

Update on “Bella”

*Bella generated  $1 million in box office again for the 3rd week in a row.

*Bella also has a higher box office per screen than “Lions for Lambs” with Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep & Robert Redford.

*Bella is ranked #1 on the New York Times Readers Poll and is still #1 on Yahoo and Fandango.

Check it out here: http://www.nytimes.com/readersreviews/movies/highlyrated/currentreleases/index.html

As a result of the incredible momentum we are planning a wide release. We expect to be in a total of 400-500 theaters.

Here is a summary of the first 3 weeks results:
-Bella broke the box office record opening weekend for films released this year in our genre (avg box office per screen)
-Bella generated over $1M on opening weekend and weekend 2 & 3. (normally films drop 50+% after first week)
-Bella was in the top 3 Highest Box Officer per screen for both weekends for films on more than 100 screens
-'Bella' was the only film in the Top 20 on less than 300 screens and it had an impressive number 17 ranking.
-Bella is still the #1 Top Ranking Movie on Yahoo (American Gangster is Number 2), Fandango, NY Times Readers Poll and top rated movie on RottenTomatoes.com by users.

Here are some videos you can watch…
-To view up to date interviews on Ryan Seacrest and others visit: www.BellaNews.com <http://www.bellanews.com/>    
-To view Bella’s trailer visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9AkTrbxgk <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9AkTrbxgk>
-To view the Passionate Speech that Tony Bennett gave praising Bella visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJ6OjAsEz0 <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJ6OjAsEz0>

Bella is a real Cinderella Story. The filmmakers left lucrative careers to follow a mission to make movies that matter and that have the potential to make a positive impact in people’s lives. They have sacrificed the last 3 years of their lives and passed up opportunities worth millions to make and market this little film with a big heart. As a result, Bella won the largest film festival in the world and pre-sold hundreds of theaters, thousands of tickets and became the #1 top rated movie in theaters through the grass roots support of audiences across the country. (Bella is rated  #1 by fans on Yahoo, Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes and the New York Times Readers Poll)
 
Here are some of the awards Bella has received…
-Bella won top prize at the Toronto Film Festival, Peoples Choice Award, which was also won by Oscar winners Life is Beautiful, Chariots of Fire, American Beauty and others.
-Bella won the Heartland Film Festivals Crystal Heart Award
-Bella won the Grand Prize at Heartland (the largest cash grand prize of any festival in the world of $100k) by beating Lars and the Real Girl, Kite Runner and others
-Bella won The Smithsonian Institutes Legacy Award
-Bella won the Tony Bennett Media Excellence Award
 

Here is a summary of the Grass Roots support Bella has recieved…
-Hundreds of people adopted theaters and pre-purchased thousands of tickets to help Bella’s opening weekend
-Bella is the #1 Top Rated Movie in theaters on Yahoo.com: http://movies.yahoo.com/mvc/top10?lid=20  (Yahoo is the largest website in the world)

-Bella has the #1 Top Fan Rated Movie on Fandango http://www.fandango.com/
-BELLA has the highest audience rating on RottenTomatoes review site with a 96% approval rating. View at http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bella/reviews_users.php (higher than Life is Beautiful, Chariots of Fire, Hotel Rwanda, American Beauty and the other winners of Peoples Choice Award at Toronto Int Film Festival)

-Bella is the #1 Top Movie on the New York Times Readers Poll: http://www.nytimes.com/readersreviews/movies/highlyrated/currentreleases/index.html


Bella’s story is filled with many little miracles, for example…. At the NY Premiere, Tony Bennett spontaneously took the microphone from lead actor Eduardo Verastegui after the premiere at Tribeca and gave an impassioned speech thru his tears saying; “it is a perfect movie, an artistic masterpiece that every American must see”.  
He said a lot more – you can view the video on You Tube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJ6OjAsEz0 … it is amazing.
 
ACTORS HOLD OUT TO MAKE MEANINGFUL FILMS AGAINST THE GRAIN OF HOLLYWOOD
Beautiful Film Stars make themselves ugly to tell a beautiful story

BELLA is an amazing David vs. Goliath saga - two of Hollywood’s most beautiful people passed up million-dollar opportunities to make movies that portray true beauty as something deeper than skin. Eduardo Verastegui (Chasing Papi, Known as the “Brad Pitt of Latin America”) and Ali Landry (Miss USA, Doritos Girl, Eve) wanted to make films that inspire viewers instead of lending to the typical stereo types of men and women as sex objects. In addition, they want to make movies that reveal the best of the human spirit rather than promoting the worst of the human condition.  Since Hollywood was not offering them these types of roles they left their lucrative careers to pursue a mission that mattered more than money – to make movies that entertain, inspire and make a positive impact on people’s lives. As a result the team created Metanoia Films and Bella is their first project, which won the Peoples Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, which puts them in the club of Oscar winners such as Chariots of Fire, Life is Beautiful, American Beauty & Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. Both beautiful stars consciously made themselves uglier to reveal the inner beauty of their characters. Pictures of team are available at www.BellaMoviePictures.com <http://www.bellamoviepictures.com/>

 
A LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS
In the midst of the Horror Season a Small Inspirational Film Breaks Box Office Record

Metanoia Films intentionally released Bella on Halloween weekend because Metanoia means “turning from dark to light” and their mission is to make films that make a difference in peoples lives. In the season of horror films Bella’s heartwarming true story offered a light in the darkness for audiences who helped turn their limited release into the #1 film for average box office revenue per screen which beat “Saw 4” last Sunday and the #2 highest average gross per screen for the entire weekend. Bella also broke the record for the average box office per screen for films in their category. In addition, Bella is the #1 fan rated film on the top movie websites in the country including Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes & Yahoo.

Bella is #1 Highest Rated Movie Online

-Fandango (#1 movie ticket website): Bella is #1 Fan Rating- http://www.fandango.com/top10fanratedmovies

-Yahoo (#1 portal): Bella is #1 highest rated by the people: http://movies.yahoo.com/mvc/top10;_ylt=Ao0x5ipranZtakd_ZcI0W0tfVXcA

-Rotten Tomatoes: Bella has highest user rating of any film we could find on Rotten Tomatoes at 96% (higher than Life is Beautiful, Chariots of Fire, Hotel Rwanda, American Beauty and the other winners of Peoples Choice Award at Toronto Int Film Festival)

-New York Times: Bella is ranked #1 Top Movie on NY Times Readers Poll: http://www.nytimes.com/readersreviews/movies/highlyrated/currentreleases/index.html


ZEALOUS SUPPORTERS ADOPT HUNDREDS OF THEATERS
The secret to Bella’s opening weekend was the organic support of thousands of people who pre-purchased tickets and adopted entire theaters on opening weekend to guarantee Bella would come to their home town. Bella’s grass roots success is largely due to the zealous support by people who respect the sacrifices of these unique actors and are starving for positive stories that celebrate the power of family, friendship and love. Bella is popular with all audiences because it tells a cross-cultural story that reveals what all human beings have in common.

HOLLYWOOD REJECTED BELLA BUT AUDIENCES ADOPTED THIS MOVIE AND MADE IT WORK
There are hundreds of little miracles that paved the way for Bella to reach the big screen despite it’s small budget and lack of support from Hollywood. After being turned down by the Industry, these first time filmmakers financed and produced Bella on their own and toured the country to show it to anyone who would watch it so they could attract the support they needed to get distribution. In the end, the support of audiences across the country inspired them to finance their own marketing and distribution which led to many unexpected accomplishments.

AUDIENCES HELPED BELLA GET ACCOLADES
After every major studio passed on BELLA, the film achieved the following:
-Bella won the Top Prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, The Peoples Choice Award, often the bellwether for Oscar contention, and the same prize claimed by Oscar winning films like Life is Beautiful, American Beauty, Crouching Tiger/Hidden Dragaon and Chariots of Fire.
-Bella received the Legacy Award from the Smithsonian Institute for its positive contribution to the arts and culture.
 Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W826EglIi6k
-Bella’s director received the prestigious “American By Choice” Award and was honored by The Department of Citizenship at the Whitehouse
-Bella received the Tony Bennett Media Excellence Award. Watch Tony’s spontaneous speech after the premiere at Tribeca: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJ6OjAsEz0
-Bella received the Heartland Film Festivals Crystal Heart Award
-Bella beat out “Lars and the real girl” and “Kite Runners” along with 13 other major studio films to win the Heartland Film Festivals Grand Prize of $100,000 (the largest cash prize for any festival in the world).

BELLA SURPRISED THE BOX OFFICE
To everyone’s surprise, BELLA, achieved significant Box Office numbers including the following results:
* BELLA grossed an amazing $1.3 million despite a very limited release of just 165 screens (compared to 3,000-4,000 screens for most Hollywood blockbusters).
* BELLAs per screen average for the weekend was more than $8000, the second highest for all films this weekend. This ensures theater owners will give BELLA additional screens    and show times.
* BELLA had the #1 highest per screen average in America on Sunday, suggesting strong word-of-mouth momentum from the previous two days. While most films see a decline in  ticket sales of 40-50 % from Saturday to Sunday, BELLA held its ground.
* BELLA broke the records set by other Latino themed films opening this year, including EL CANTANTE starring Jennifer Lopez.
* BELLA finished in the top20 films for total gross despite having the fewest number of screens of all our competitors. (3,000-4,000 screens compared to 165 screens)
* BELLA received great reviews from some of the most credible critics including Roger Ibert - “Warm, sweet and funny”
* BELLA has the highest audience approval rate on Rotten-Tomatoes review site with a 97% approval rating.
* Bella has the #1 Fun Buzz on Fandango http://www.fandango.com/ and the #1 top rated movie on Yahoo, NY Times Readers Poll and Rotten Tomatoes.

FAMOUS ARTISTS LOVE BELLA
Bella also has deep rooted support from celebrities and artists in the mainstream and Latino world. After the premiere of Bella last week at Tribeca Tony Bennett spontaneously took the microphone from lead actor Eduardo Verastegui and gave an impassioned speech thru his tears about how much he loved Bella. He called it a “perfect movie, an artistic masterpiece that every American must see”.  You can see the video on You Tube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJ6OjAsEz0 The #1 Hispanic Singer/Songwriter, Alejandro Sanz, who won 15 grammies loved Bella so much he wrote a song for the movie. You can see his comments at: http://www.bellathemovie.com/site/#/film/videos/ (Click on Spanish Ad: Alejandro Sanz.  In addition, the Smithsonian Institute produced a video to show at their annual Awards Gala that includes some of the most famous Latino celebrities sharing their passion for Bella. Here is the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W826EglIi6k (includes the lead singer of Switchfoot, Alejandro Sanz, Maria Celeste, Angelica Vali, Paulina Rubio & the Chairman of the Smithsonian Institute)

GOYA LOVES BELLA
The president of GOYA foods, the largest Hispanic food company in the US, fell in love with Bella and it’s mission to share the beauty of the Latino family and culture with the world. His father built the company to employee and support the Latino Family in the US and he was often frustrated with how Latino’s were portrayed in the media. After seeing the film the president spontaneously decided they wanted to promote Bella despite the fact that they have never been involved with films or entertainment as a company. He sponsored both premieres, produced radio spots for Bella and gave out $100,000 of tickets to Latinos and under-privileged communities. This is not a sponsorship program – this is a family who is using Bella to promote the beauty of the Latino family and values as a tribute to their father and the community. Actually, the filmmakers did not ask for the radio spot or the tickets – they offered them out of the kindness of their heart.
 
“Bella builds a bridge of Unity & Healing Amongst Mexicans & Americans,” said Tony Bennett
Bella appeals to mainstream and Latino audiences alike because it tells a cross-cultural story that reveals what all human beings have in common. Tony Bennett said,  “the timing is so perfect right now because of the political situation between the Mexicans and the United States… this film shows the humanism, the honesty and beauty of the Mexican people… and builds a bridge of Unity and Healing” Watch Tony’s impromptu speech about Bella at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJ6OjAsEz0

MORE INFO ON ACTORS & PRODUCERS

Eduardo Verastegui
Eduardo's journey is truly a Cinderella story; The son of a sugar cane farmer from a small Mexican town, Eduardo found early success as a teenage recording artist before starring in five popular television shows, which led to a starring role in the 20th Century Fox film Chasing Papi. He is a huge star in his native country of Mexico (he literally creates pandemonium in the streets there) and is best known for his great looks and stellar acting." On the precipice of international stardom, Verastegui had a crisis of conscience and realized that he could no longer take roles that contributed to the negative stereo types of Latinos in films; the drug dealer, criminal and in a best case scenario, the “Latin Lover”. He decided to form his own production company to create films that portrayed Latinos in an honest and positive light. After turning down millions of dollars of opportunities because of his unwillingness to compromise he literally didn't know where he was going to find money for the next month's rent when he found the "Bella" script. He formed the production company Metanoia Films with a group of  friends and first time filmmakers and Bella is their first project, with a first time writer, first time director and first time cinematographer - It was their first everything.  Shooting on a shoe-string budget they finished the film in only 24 days in New York City and  Verastegui delivered a performance that convinced Neil Cavuto that he “will probably win the Oscar”. Despite his drop dead good looks Eduardo is known for his down-to-earth good nature and humility. For example, made him self ugly for this part by growing a long black beard so he could reveal the internal beauty of his character. You can watch Eduardo’s story at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN_V3rADr3c
 
 
Ali Landry, a former Miss USA, gained national attention after being featured in a series of Doritos commercials and television programs. Subsequent acting roles highlighted her stunning looks, but also contributed to the negative stereotypes of women in the media. After a life changing experience she decided that she would no longer participate in projects that contribute to common negative stereotypes. In Bella, Ali relished the opportunity to take a challenging dramatic role as a plain-looking mother that  allowed her to show off her tremendous acting abilities. This role also required some reverse beauty work that made Turned Ali and her stunning beauty into an everyday woman the audience could relate to.
 
 
Writer-director Alejandro Monteverde moved to the US without speaking a word of English to enroll in film school. After repeated denials, he was finally accepted into the University of Texas film program. With no money to finance his student films, Monteverde sold his car, gave up his apartment and slept on a sofa at the college in order to buy 16mm film for his first short, Bocho, which set the school record for most festival wins by an undergraduate. After reconnecting with his childhood friend, Monteverde joined Verastegui in LA and the two immediately began working on BELLA. After less than one year the film was finished and Monteverde was honored by the Mexican Embassy, the Whitehouse, the Smithsonian Institute, won the largest Film Festival in the world and won the largest cash prize of any festival in the world. If that is not the American dream he also married former Miss USA and actress Ali Landry and recently they had their first child.
 
The Movie

The film is about how one day in New York City changes three peoples forever. Eduardo Veragtegui (Mexican Brad Pitt), Tammy Blanchard (Emmy award winning actress from  The Good Sheppard) and Ali Landry (Miss USA, Doritos Girl, Eve) have life changing experiences that reveal the power of family, friendship and love in the face of the unexpected. Bella is a heartwarming true story of forgiveness, redemption and second chances that makes people laugh, cry and think about what matters most. You can watch the trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9AkTrbxgk

 
Videos: There are videos that document the “behind the scenes” - Here are a few:
-Tony Bennett gives Passionate Speech about Bella: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdJ6OjAsEz0
-Smithsonian Awards Video for Bella: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W826EglIi6k
-Eduardo’s EPK: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qN_V3rADr3c
-The Making of Bella short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TsRFyI0Z78
-Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJ9AkTrbxgk


Here are some of our websites to make it easy for you to learn about Bella:
-To view the trailer or to buy tickets you can visit our website: www.BellaTheMovie.com <http://www.bellathemovie.com/>
-To view news visit: www.BellaNews.com <http://www.BellaNews.com>
-To view videos you can visit: www.BellaVideos.com <http://www.bellavideos.com/>
-To view and forward Bella emails with trailers and videos visit: www.BellaEmails.com <http://www.BellaEmails.com>
-To download promotional resources visit: www.BellaResources.com <http://www.BellaResources.com>
-To view our photo album check out www.BellaMoviePictures.com <http://www.bellamoviepictures.com/>
-To adopt a theatre you can visit: www.HelpBella.com <http://www.helpbella.com/>

 
REVIEWS & ARTICLES

Warm, sweet and funny.
-Roger Ebert, rogerebert.com
http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071025/REVIEWS/710250301/1023

 
Versategui is a natural on the big screen, a compelling presence.
-Ruthe Stein, SF Chronicle

 
"A sweet, life-affirming picture"
- Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times

 
"A bear-hugging embrace of sweetness and light"
-Stephen Holden, The New York Times

 
"Cynics need not apply, but I found "Bella" a real heart tugger."
- Lou Lumenick, New York Post

An unforgettable experience! A celebration of family, food, music and life-affirming values
-Michael Medved

 
Powerful and moving... a true inspiration.
-CNN, Ana Maria Montero

 
"The warmest family drama I've seen in years"
-Frank Lovece- Film Journal


FOX NEWS
I am very pleased that the Toronto Film Festival chose "Bella" to win their top audience award over the weekend…. It's incredibly charming, with terrific performances by Tammy Blanchard and Mexican star Eduardo Verastegui and Manny Perez. It's directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde. It's too easy to say this is the "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" of this season, because "Bella" is far more complex and sophisticated while losing none of the humor. Whoever decides to release "Bella" will have a nice little hit on their hands. The freshness and lack of affectation in "Bella" must have appealed to audiences who had to endure a number of big-name films that seemed contrived, stale or calculated. You can get read the article by going to this link:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,214255,00.html
 

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: "Bella" Wins
TORONTO -- A trio of Mexicans triumphed at the Toronto International Film Festival on Saturday when their U.S. independent drama "Bella" captured the People's Choice Award, voted on by festival audiences…. "These Mexican guys go to America and beat the American independents at their game -- it's impressive,"
Toronto festival co-director Noah Cowan said after an awards luncheon.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003123305
 

HOLLYWOOD REPORTER: The Story Behind "Bella"
Winning in Toronto can be the first step on the road to Oscar and Golden Globes success. "Bella" could wind up following in the footsteps of such past Toronto winners as: "American Beauty," which won five Oscars in 2000, including best picture and director, and three Globes, including best picture and director; "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," which won four Oscars in 2001, including best foreign language film, was a best picture Oscar nominee and won two Globes, including best director for Ang Lee. Read the article at this link:
www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id <http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id> =1003221195
 
 
VARIETY
"This movie depicts the culture but also transcends it," said Pilar O'Leary, exec director of the Smithsonian Institute's Latino Center. "It has universal appeal."Which is why the Latino Center is presenting Verastegui and helmer Alejandro Monteverde with its award for emerging talent. Pic doesn't see release until August, but because of the increasing buzz, the Mexican Embassy wanted to sponsor a private screening as part of its Cinco de Mayo bash. -William Triplett, Variety.com To read entire article visit this link:
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964437.html?categoryid=38&cs=1&query=bella <http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117964437.html?categoryid=38&amp;cs=1&amp;query=bella>
 

AFI (American Film Institute) Movie Review - Dallas
Life is really, really hard; thank god it's so beautiful - it's one of those rare films that catches you by the emotional short hairs and refuses to let go. By the time the final reel plays, you're going to be weeping tears of commingled sadness and joy - unless you happen to have blocked tear ducts. (And, if you do, you might consider a viewing of this movie as a possible cure.) Bella is
really not so much a love story (in the sense of two people falling head over heels) as it is a story about love and how it can heal psychic wounds and enrich our lives. -John P. Meyer, AFI Dallas. To read article visit this link:
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/mar/28/afi-dallas-movie-review-ibellai/
 

InCONTENTION.com
"Bella" marks the debut feature of Alejandro Gomez Monteverde, a truly humble man in awe of the fact that he's actually made it here. It's better to know as little as possible about this film before going into it but let me tell you that it feels both sincere and loving. It's great to see a film that legitimately moves the viewer without being drowned in sap. And it does this in just 90 minutes. If it comes your way, see it. You won't regret it. You can read the article by going to this link:
http://www.incontention.com/toronto/2006/09/beautiful_indeed.html
 
 
NBC, MIAMI
"Bella is a romantic drama full of heart, soul and beautiful messages. It's a film that will stay with you forever! Powerful, passionate and unpredictable, Bella is a rare gem, a true surprise. A movie that can transform your life and keep you thinking. Bella is a cinematic jewel. One of the best films I've seen in a long time".Watch out for its extraordinary cast, especially Mexican leading
man Eduardo Verastegui, truly the "Brad Pitt of Latin America". -- Maria Salas,
NBC-Miami
 
 
Colorado Springs Gazette-Brandon Fibbs
“Bella is a irrefutably effortless and heartwarming film, an indie gem with a deep soul and a beautiful message.”


The Austin Chronicle
"A beautiful film (with) pitch-perfect performances.  A film that embraces and celebrates the possibility for change and growth, both personal and spiritual."
 
 
"Not only will ‘Bella’ give you hope that Hollywood can still make an inspirational movie, it might also renew your faith in humanity."
-Governor Rick Perry, Texas
 

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