Confirming its reputation as a “stand-up-and-cheer” film, The Journey garnered its first big prize – the Audience award at the 25th Annual Atlanta Film & Video Festival. The first feature film from Atlanta-based Journey Productions, Inc. (JPI), The Journey is a 91-minute feature film documenting the four years director Eric Saperston, his Golden Retriever, Jack, and his crew of three spent traveling across the United States in a 1971 VW bus conducting interviews with some of the country’s most influential and colorful personalities (including former President Jimmy Carter and actor and director Henry Winkler) as well as with everyday folk of all ages.
“This is a great affirmation,” said Journey Director and JPI President Eric Saperston. “The film has only been seen at a sneak preview at Redlands University in California, SXSW in Austin and last week at the Atlanta festival. Each audience has reacted the same – even with standing ovations. These reactions affirm our instinct that audiences across the country will love this film.”
“The Atlanta community has supported the project since its infancy. We are grateful for this support and we thank everyone who contributed and especially everyone who voted,” Saperston said.
Following the sold-out southeast premiere at the Carter Center last Wednesday, The Journey, is set for a four-day run at 7 Stages theater in the Atlanta. The 90-minute feature film is slated to run July 5th-8th; two shows each, Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and two Sunday matinees.
“We are very excited to be able to provide another venue for folks who want to see the film, but who either couldn’t make it on the 13th, missed out on tickets, or who just want to see it again,” Saperston said.
“Very few filmmakers accomplish what Eric has done – combining a personal documentary with the collected wisdom of elders,” said festival representative Brian Newman, Executive Director of IMAGE Film and Video Center. We also congratulate the Journey crew on their success and their distribution deal with Seventh Art.”
Having overcome one of the most significant obstacles for filmmakers, securing a distributor, The Journey next planned stops include several major US markets. In the months following the Atlanta run at 7 Stages, JPI, in conjunction with Los Angeles-based Seventh Art Releasing, is planning runs for the film in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.
“We are continuing to work diligently to make the most out of these opportunities and demonstrate what this film and this company are capable of doing,” said JPI Executive Vice President and Journey Executive Producer Patrick Jones. He also stated Journey producers would be available after each screening for Q&A.
Some of the biggest believers in JPI’s mission of telling stories of wisdom, humor and inspiration include former Texas Governor Ann Richards, former UPS Chairman Oz Nelson, former Coca-Cola CEO Donald Keough, as well as co-founder of The Home Depot, Bernie Marcus who gave Saperston his first big interview. Former President Jimmy Carter is featured in the film as well.
For more info, visit Journey Productions on the world-wide-web.
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