Newly formed distribution company, The Independent Film Company, a joint venture between Big Screen Entertainment and Five Star Picturs, has acquired worldwide rights to a new film by Russian filmmaker, actor-director Rodion Nahapetov: thriller "Contamination".

May 8, 2008 — Newly formed distribution company, The Independent Film Company (IFC), a joint venture between Big Screen Entertainment and Five Star Picturs, has acquired worldwide rights to a new film by Russian filmmaker, actor-director Rodion Nahapetov: thriller "Contamination".

This film stars Eric Roberts, (The Dark Knight, Runaway Train), two time Golden Globe winner, Karen Black (Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces, The Great Gatsby) and Nahapetov himself. It is the story of a dangerous psychiatrist (Eric Roberts), who "contaminates" his patients and turns them into lethal weapons, who respond to all his brutal commands. An innocent patient finds himself mixed up in this life and death struggle with the psychiatrist in the confines of a mental institution in Moscow.

"Rodion is a world-class talent," says Kimberley Kates, CEO of Big Screen Entertainment. "Audiences will respond to Rodion’s powerful film direction in portraying international characters and stories." Kates closed the deal herself with producer Natasha Shliapnikoff.

A winner of various international film festivals, Nahapetov is considered one of Russia’s most important contemporary filmmakers. His "At The Close of Night" was the first Russian film ever to be picked up by an American studio (Twentieth Century Fox).

IFC has also acquired several other titles of Nahapetov’s films: "Beyond the Border", "Innocence at Risk" "Murder, Lies and Deceipt" and "Deadly Betrayal." Each of these films are thrillers, portraying international characters. These films star: Gary Busey, Sean Young, Eric Roberts, Erik Estrada and Karen Black.

Nahapetov is presently working with Ray Bradbury on the screen adaptation of "Dandelion Wine", which will start principal photography next Spring.

"I am very excited to be working with the Independent Film Company and Kimberley Kates," states Nahapetov. All these films will be available at the Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festival – booth 26-01.

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