U.S. recognizes local film maker

Cecelia Nasmith
Local News - Monday, July 18, 2005 @ 09:00

The bad news James Hergott received that his film was rejected by the
Toronto International Film Festival was salved somewhat by the news
that the movie will go into American theatrical release in November.

"This is huge," the former Cobourg resident declared.

"US theatrical distribution is the hardest thing to get. And it's not
being shown in art-house theaters — it is being shown in major cinemas
all over the US.

"This is the best thing I could have hoped for, and it's very
exciting," he said. "This will mean the movie will be in Blockbuster
and everywhere in the future."

In Cobourg for a brief visit in June, Mr.

Hergott took the opportunity to show All That I Need — the movie he
wrote, directed, produced, starred in and raised the money for — to
friends and family members. A good thing, he says now, since they
won't be able to see it on the big screen in Toronto.

A cinema verité film in the vein of The Blair Witch Project, the movie
details the rise and fall of a pyramid scheme in documentary style,
from wild sky-is-the-limit enthusiasm to suspicion and then to ruin.

Mr. Hergott has signed a deal with Regal Entertainment Group, the
largest motion-picture exhibitor in the world. It will be seen at
theatres in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, New York, Texas,
Oregon and Washington from November 4 to 10. If the run is successful,
the company has an option for a further wider release.

An advertising campaign worth more than $1-million is being prepared
for radio, television and print outlets.

Still, for Mr. Hergott, there is the sting of being snubbed by a
festival located an hour from where he grew up.

"None of the movies that they selected in my category last year were
able to get US theatrical distribution," he pointed out.

"Can you imagine how I feel that I have been embraced by the US to
such a degree, and it will be in theaters all over, but I am not even
being recognized on my home turf? No wonder so much talent ends up
going south of the border!"

Mr. Hergott is grateful for the enthusiasm and support the people of
Cobourg have shown, and is disappointed that they won't be able to see
it until it hits Blockbuster shelves.

"I just wish the elites in Toronto were more nurturing of their
home-grown talent," he said.

On the bright side, Mr. Hergott did note that artists get no
compensation for a film-festival showing. But his film deal will bring
his company half of every ticket that is sold.