Feature Film to Premiere on Babelgum

NEW YORK/LONDON: The new film Rage from writer/director Sally Potter will make its debut with an episodic premiere via Babelgum’s free mobile application for iPhone and iPod devices from September 21.

The film will be shown in seven episodes through Babelgum’s mobile application, adding one new episode per day, for a full week. This is the first time a feature-length film will premiere on mobile phones.

Rage tells the behind-the scenes story of a New York fashion show through a series of intimate interviews. The film features Simon Abkarian, Steve Buscemi, Lily Cole, Judi Dench, Eddie Izzard, Jude Law, John Leguizamo and Dianne Wiest. Babelgum and Liberation Entertainment are working closely with Potter and the filmmakers on the prerelease campaign, which rolled out with custom online and mobile selections featuring the theatrical trailer and selected clips. A Rage mobile channel will launch on September 21, when the episodes also start rolling out.

The mobile premiere will kick off a multiplatform, multi-territory release that includes the U.S. DVD release on September 22 through Liberation Entertainment; an interactive satellite premiere in the U.K. on September 24; the online release via Babelgum beginning September 28 and the Adventure Pictures DVD release in the U.K. and Ireland, also on September 28. The red-carpet event and Q&A following the September 24 premiere in London will be broadcast online commercial-free via live streaming site Justin.tv.

A statement from Potter and producers Christopher Sheppard and Andrew Fierberg said: "We always wanted to incorporate new-media platforms into our release strategy and to find a novel approach to bringing Rage to both new and traditional film audiences. We are delighted to be working with Babelgum, who we see as a true partner in crafting an innovative distribution model."

Karol Martesko-Fenster, the general manager publisher of the film division of Babelgum, commented: "We are thrilled to be working with the filmmakers, on this revolutionary rollout of Rage. It highlights the true potential of the mobile and online platforms acting as complementary venues in an overall distribution strategy. Babelgum’s pioneering and exclusive mobile only premiere of Rage reaffirms our mission to be the leading mobile and online destination for timely and cutting-edge independent film."