Release follows innovative screening program at pop-up drive ins across the country
LOS ANGELES, California -- Picturehouse will open FATIMA in theaters and direct to home (PVOD) throughout North America on August 28, 2020, following a grassroots word-of-mouth digital marketing campaign that energized and engaged the core audience, culminating in a series of Pop-Up Drive In Influencer Premieres across the country. The film, acquired by Picturehouse in October, was originally scheduled to open on April 24. The COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered movie theaters nationwide, presents some parallels to the original story, set in 1917, just before the Spanish Flu. “The response to FATIMA at our Pop-Up Drive In Premieres has been wonderful,” said Bob Berney, CEO. “Audiences and social media reactions have convinced us that we need to get this movie out now. We held out as long as possible for a traditional theatrical release but given the national situation, we did not want to postpone the release of this movie with its message of hope, any further.” Picturehouse debuted the trailer on Ash Wednesday, February 26, to over 10 million views online, and took advantage of the additional time to pivot from the typical promotional activities undertaken to find an audience, including several Facebook Premiere events, and previewing the film in Pop-Up Drive Ins across the country this summer, some as benefit screenings. The complete schedule is as follows:
Miami at the Hard Rock Stadium, July 13
Los Angeles at The Palladium Theater in Hollywood, July 19
Los Angeles/Simi Valley at the Humingbird Nest Ranch, July 21
Bridgehampton, NY, July 24
Chicago at Soldier Field, July 28
Atlanta at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, Aug. 5
Boston at Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Parish, Aug. 9
A powerful and uplifting drama about the power of faith, FATIMA tells the story of a 10-year-old shepherd and her two young cousins in Fátima, Portugal, who report seeing visions of the Virgin Mary, inspiring thousands of believers and angering officials of both the Catholic Church and the secularist government, who try to force them to recant their story. As word of their prophecy spreads, tens of thousands of religious pilgrims flock to the site in hopes of witnessing a miracle. What they experience will transform their quiet lives and bring the attention of a world yearning for peace. FATIMA is directed by Marco Pontecorvo (Pa-ra-da, “Game of Thrones”) from a script by Pontecorvo, Valerio D’Annunzio and Barbara Nicolosi. The film stars Joaquim de Almeida (“Queen of the South”), Goran Višnjić (Beginners), Stephanie Gil (Terminator: Dark Fate) and Lúcia Moniz (Love, Actually), with Sônia Braga (Aquarius) and Harvey Keitel (The Piano, The Irishman). Producers are James T. Volk (The Code), Dick Lyles (Little One), Stefano Buono, Maribel Lopera Sierra, Marco Pontecorvo, Rose Ganguzza (Kill Your Darlings) and Natasha Howes (The 13th Day). Director of photography is Vincenzo Carpineta (Letters to Juliet). Editor is Alessio Doglione (20 Cigarettes). Production design is by Cristina Onori (All the Money in the World). Costume design is by Daniela Ciancio (The Great Beauty). Original music is by Paolo Buonvino (Fathers & Daughters, Quiet Chaos). Original song performed by Andrea Bocelli. Executive producers include Marco Valerio Pugini (Solo: A Star Wars Story), Holly Carney (The Code), David Fischer (A Guy Called Michael Egan), Frida Torresblanco (Pan’s Labyrinth), and Matthew J. Malek (The Peanut Butter Falcon). FATIMA has a running time of 113 minutes and has been rated "PG-13" by the MPAA.