MALIBU, Calif., Feb. 12, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Empire Home Entertainment, the DVD releasing label for Empire Film Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:EFGU) (http://www.empirefilmgroup.com) has announced the DVD release of "The Last Brickmaker In America," starring Academy Award winner Sidney Poitier, for Tuesday, February 17, 2009. This is the DVD premiere release for the award-winning, 2001 CBS Television movie, and the film will be a featured item at Wal-Mart stores nationwide in recognition of Black History Month.
"We're grateful to Nasser Entertainment as well as to major retailers including Wal-Mart, for their support of this specially timed DVD release," said Eric Parkinson, CEO of Empire Home Entertainment and the Hannover House distribution division. "This is one of the most popularly requested Sidney Poitier movies of all time, and should be well received in its DVD debut release."
"The Last Brickmaker In America" tells the story of a retired artisan who finds personal healing and redemption after he accepts one last, especially difficult project. The film was directed by Gregg Champion from a screenplay by Richard Leder, and was produced by James Nasser and Derek Kavanaugh. In addition to Sidney Poitier in the leading role, the film also stars Bernie Casey, Piper Laurie and Fred Griffith.
The film was first broadcast by CBS Television in 2001, and generated top ratings and critical praise, but had been withheld from DVD release.
The DVD representation agreement was negotiated between Eric Parkinson and Nasser Entertainment Executives Joe Nasser and Jack Nasser, with Kyle Fogden and Fred Shefte handling the legal documentation and operational structures. Nasser Entertainment is a respected producer of quality feature films and television movies, based out of Los Angeles and Vancouver, and responsible for the production of more than thirty major film credits to date.
"The Last Brickmaker In America" is rated PG, and is 85 minutes in length. DVDs are priced at $14.95 suggested retail or less. Item HH 5278; UPC 7-61450-52783-6
Empire Film Group is a fully-integrated independent film studio, with activities in all areas of the film and television industries. The company operates a production division out of Malibu, California, and administers the sales, marketing and distribution of films out of a warehouse and studio in N.W. Arkansas, near the Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., world headquarters.