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Professional Motion Picture Production and Distribution NEWS
| Catch 22 Entertainment Scores Big with Pair of Legendary Pros: Olympic Gold Medalist, WWF Champ & Triple Crown Winner Kurt Angle and MMA & UFC Champ Ken Shamrock Join Cast of 'Beyond The Mat' By Staff posted Aug 16, 2010, 08:19 |
High School Wrestling Drama Secures Endorsements from USA Wrestling and National High School Coaches Association
(Los Angeles) Kurt Angle, Olympic Gold medalist, six-time WWF champ and TNA Triple Crown winner, gets outside the ring and into the spotlight to give a punishing performance as Coach Kamen in Beyond The Mat, a high school wrestling film that also stars Mark Hapka (Days of Our Lives), John Wynn (NCIS), and Jonathan Kowalsky (24; CSI: New York). Angle predicts the film, which he says portrays the sport with authenticity, will resonate with the wrestling community and introduce that world to a wider audience. What's more, "it has a great story that goes beyond wrestling itself," notes Angle. The film is being executive produced by L.A.-based C22 Capital, Inc. and its sister company, Catch 22 Entertainment, LLC.
UFC and Mixed Martial Artist champion Ken Shamrock has also joined the cast playing himself as an announcer in the wrestling match scenes. Directed by Van Pham, this inventive drama about an Asian-American high school wrestler features taut performances by an ensemble cast that have earned it considerable market buzz. The screenplay for Beyond The Mat was an official selection at the Tribeca Film Festival All Access Program.
Beyond The Mat chronicles protagonist Aaron's journey as he not only confronts issues regarding racism and coming-of-age, but also grapples with the meaning of friendship and his very identity. The film has received official endorsements from USA Wrestling and the National High School Coaches Association, which will be included in the film's strategic marketing campaign. Shamrock, a UFC Hall of Famer and four-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, who has headlined more than 15 main events in the UFC and Pride Championships, has set numerous pay-per-view records.
Anthony Millan, CEO of Catch 22 Entertainment, LLC, commented that the addition of wrestling icons Angle and Shamrock to an already gifted ensemble of up-and-coming talent elevates the visibility and awareness of Beyond The Mat to a whole new level. "The story was already very fresh and very compelling, so to have these two legends championing the film is a dream come true," he notes.
Together with its sister company, C22 Capital, Inc., Catch 22 Entertainment, LLC, a full-service film production, distribution and marketing company, is committed to working with filmmakers from funding through production, post-production, marketing and distribution, to enhance and realize their creative visions.
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