Sci-Fi Thriller Subterranea Acquired by MVD for September Release
Debi Moore
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Word of a new “sci-fi thriller” heading our way this fall landed in our inbox, and it sounds rather unique so we thought we’d share the news. It was inspired by a progressive rock album and marks the debut of writer/director Mathew Miller. Intrigued? Read on for the latest about Subterranea, including its trailer and release details.
From the Press Release:
MVD Entertainment Group has acquired all North American distribution rights to science fiction thriller SUBTERRANEA, the award-winning festival favorite from the producer of Jerome Bixby’s The Man from Earth. The auspicious debut from director and screenwriter Mathew Miller, Subterranea was inspired by British progressive rock band recording artist IQ and their successful 1997 concept album of the same name. It stars Bug Hall (The Little Rascals (1994), American Pie: The Book of Love), two-time Emmy Award nominee Nicholas Turturro (The Longest Yard, “NYPD Blue”, “Blue Bloods”), and William Katt (Carrie (1976), The Man from Earth, “The Greatest American Hero”).
The deal was negotiated by Ed Seaman from MVD and co-producers Mathew Miller and Brandon Woodard on behalf of Birdman Films.
Subterranea stars Bug Hall as “The Captive,” who was locked in a dark cell as a small child and was raised in complete isolation, never seeing daylight or even another human being. Over twenty years later, without warning, he is released into society with nothing but the clothes on his back. Determined to find out who he is, The Captive discovers that he’s the centerpiece of a dangerous orchestrated sociological experiment and sets off to find the truth about his shadowed existence, ultimately leading to a thrilling confrontation with his maker, “The Provider” (William Katt).
Following the release of IQ’s double album Subterranea, writer/director Mathew Miller was inspired. “As a huge fan of IQ, I was honored and thrilled to be collaborating with Peter Nicholls (IQ lyricist, writer, and lead vocalist) and the band. My goal was to respect the original material and bring to life the already stimulating and poignant images the music has created in all of our minds and hearts as fans.”
As the film was in development, Mat struck a professional friendship with one of the producers of The Man from Earth, Eric D. Wilkinson. Wilkinson’s debut film has achieved “cult status” (The Man from Earth now resides among the Top 50 Science Fiction Films of all time on the IMDb) and was confident that he could help bring this film to a wider audience.
“When I first read Mat’s script, I fell in love with the story and characters,” said Wilkinson. “In some ways, the film reminded me of The Man from Earth. It had that ‘intellectual sci-fi feel’ to it and, at the same time, really played well as a conventional thriller. Mathew is a super talented young director, and I was committed to helping him realize his vision for the material. MVD is a great company that is exceptionally supportive of filmmakers and producers, and I look forward to our film’s release later this year.”
Subterranea has been receiving accolades on the festival circuit including Grand Prize Winner: Vortex Sci-fi & Fantasy Award – 2015 Rhode Island International Film Festival; Winner – Jury Prize – Best Film – 2015 Reel East Film Festival; Official Selection – 2015 Reno Tahoe International Film Festival; Official Selection – 2015 Queen City Film Festival; and Official Selection – 2015 Montana Film Festival. The film made its European premiere in London on May 1, 2016.
Subterranea will debut on Digital, VOD, DVD, and Blu-ray on September 13, 2016, from MVD Entertainment Group. Special features include two behind-the-scenes featurettes: “The Making of Subterranea” and “On the Set of Subterranea – Timelapses, deleted scenes, and the original theatrical trailer.
Curious about the album? We’ve also included the opening song below.
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