ARTISTIC LICENSE HAS A "CHOOCH" FOR THEATERS

Italian-American Comedy Will Open in New York on Aug. 27

NEW YORK – Tuesday, May 11, 2004 – North American distribution rights to Fruitbasket Film’s comedy CHOOCH have been acquired by Artistic License, with the film slated to open in New York on Aug. 27 at United Artists Union Square 14.

CHOOCH - from the Sicilian "ciuccio," an endearing term for 'jackass' - captures the misadventures of two Queens cousins during an ill-fated vacation to Cancun. Dino and Jubilene Condito (played by Carmine Famiglietti and Joseph Summa, respectively) are abducted by a Mexican druglord, and it takes reuniting their old Queens "crew" to save them. After a jail bust, donkey ride, chicken coop explosion, and a love affair at the local bordello, the crew finally arrives to save the day, proving that a chooch needs his crew as much as a crew needs its chooch.

“CHOOCH brings together talented actors, a creative production team and a hit soundtrack to deliver an indie winner,” said Sande Zeig, president of Artistic License Films. “We are delighted to join Fruitbasket Films in bringing this hilarious and heart-warming film to audiences around the country.”

“We made this film with a specific audience in mind, but in screenings it’s crossing over to a much larger audience than we anticipated,” said producer Tami Powers. “Every family, every neighborhood, every town has a ‘Chooch.’ Sande Zeig not only understood this, she convinced us that this is a story about friendship and family with potential for broader reach.”

In addition to Union Square 14, the film will open simultaneously on select screens across the New York metropolitan area and Southern Connecticut before expanding to additional markets.

About Artistic License
Founded in 1994, Artistic License Films, Inc. has released more than 70 films, including such Academy Award-nominated features as DANCEMAKER and SOUND AND FURY as well as popular new releases like TIBET: CRY OF THE SNOW LION.

For more information on CHOOCH and to view the trailer, please visit http://www.choochthemovie.com

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Mitch Baranowski, for CHOOCH, 212.229.2493, mbaranowski@bbprgroup.com
Sande Zeig, Artistic License Films, Inc., 212.265.9119, 917.821.9143, szeig@artlic.com