Ride The Divide Media Brief

“The world’s toughest bike race
is not in France.”
—Outside magazine
Media Brief
A MIKE DION PRODUCTION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH RED POPSICLE
FEATURING MATTHEW LEE MARY METCALF-COLLIER
AUDIO
HUNTER WEEKS EDITEDBY MIKE DION HUNTER WEEKS MOTION GRAPHICS
COLORIST BRIAN ELOE DESIGN BY CHUCK BIDDLECOM MIKE CRAMP
ASSOCIATE
DIRECTED
EXECUTIVE
PRODUCED
BY HUNTER WEEKS
PRODUCED BY MIKE DION
BY MIKE DION HUNTER WEEKS JOE CANTWELL PRODUCERS JOSH CALDWELL ANTHONY CIMINO
DIRECTOR OF
PHOTOGRAPHY
RideTheDivideMovie.com
“The world’s toughest mountain bike race” captured
in a new documentary film, Ride The Divide
Ride The Divide is an inspiring journey about the world’s toughest mountain
bike race, which traverses over 2700 miles along the Continental Divide in the Rocky
Mountains. The film weaves the story of three characters’ experiences with immense
mountain beauty and small-town culture as they attempt to pedal from Banff,
Canada to a small, dusty crossing on the Mexican border.
Mike, a 40-year old family man who uses this challenge to chart a new course in
life; Matthew, a leader in extreme endurance racing who’s competing for his 5th time;
and Mary, the first female rider to race this route will set out to accomplish what very
few have been able to. Over the course of a few weeks they’ll attempt to climb over
200,000 vertical feet over the Rocky Mountains. That’s the equivalent of ascending
Mount Everest from sea level seven times.
They’ll experience mental breakdowns, treacherous snow, hellacious blisters and
total fatigue. Above all, they’ll race with no support - at times in total isolation.
The tests of endurance and the accomplished moments throughout Ride The Divide prompt us to reflect on our
inner desires to live life to the fullest. 2
“...a feat only a handful of racers have completed.”
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-Bike Magazine
Ride The Divide is equal parts adventure sports doc, road trip and personal travelogue—filmed entirely on
location using the latest technological advancements in filmmaking.
Ride The Divide celebrates the breathtaking landscape, magnificent wildlife, and local communities along the
Western frontier—with an original soundtrack from indie songwriters and musicians.
“The granddaddy of ultra-endurance
mountain bike races...”
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-Dirt Rag
Drawing from the filmmaking and
musical talent based in the Intermountain
West, Ride The Divide reflects the shared
passion of a diverse group of artists and
craftsmen.
The crew, who all work in TV and film, are established professionals with a passion for adventure and
inspiring audiences. They are especially skilled at combining classic documentary filmmaking with the latest
digital technologies and are at the forefront of a movement that is redefining the non-fiction entertainment genre.
The film’s powerful soundtrack introduces viewers to fresh musical talent such as Amy Petty, Ry Moran,
Dominique Fraissard and Round Mountain, and also features Colorado favorite Gregory Alan Isakov backed by
Brandi Carlile.
The refreshing antithesis of “bike porn,” Ride The Divide organically combines personal context with expert
filmmaking to portray three deeply engaging stories.
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The Filmmakers
Director: Hunter Weeks
Executive Producer: Mike Dion
Producer: Joe Cantwell
Hunter previously directed and
produced independent films “10
MPH” (2007) and “10 Yards” (2009).
He’s led efforts to bring major
partners on board to help fund and
promote the films, including
companies such as CBS Sports,
Quiznos, YouTube, Crocs, SmartWool,
Fender and Chipotle.
Ride The Divide is Mike Dion’s
producing debut in the feature
length documentary genre. No
stranger to producing and directing
content, Mike has created hundreds
of projects while at Starz
Entertainment, The Hallmark
Channel and various independent
production companies.
Joe Cantwell is founder and managing
director of Authentic Digital, a
producer and distributor of original
entertainment content. Prior to joining
Authentic, Cantwell was a senior
executive at Starz Entertainment, AOL
and Bravo Networks.
He’s also the author of the 10 MPH
DIY Manual which discusses unique
PR, Marketing and distribution
insights on how to distribute indie
films. Hunter also has a strong
background in social media platforms
and web marketing.
Mike has produced and directed
content for brands such as DirecTV,
Dish Network, Comcast, Vongo,
Toyota, Weber Grills and Quiznos.
Hunter has spoken on his
achievements in distributing and
marketing films at various major film
events including Sundance Film
Festival, London Film Festival,
Galway Film Fleadh, The
Conversation and DIY Days.
As one of the founders of the
Independent Film Channel (IFC), he
was a pioneer in the use of the Internet
for delivery of indie films and related
content, producing the first-ever
simultaneous release of a featurelength film via TV and broadband as
well as live web content from many
major film events.
Early in his career he also crewed on
the feature films: A River Runs
Through It, Far and Away, Dante’s
Peak, The Brave and Reggie’s Prayer. Cantwell is co-producer of the recently
released documentary film “Grass
Mike is now concentrating on
Roots” and an advisory board member
creating digital motion pictures that of Telepop, Inc., a Van Nuys, Ca.-based
tell compelling stories for brands
interactive TV firm. He holds a
and advertising clients in the
Bachelor’s degree from Barry
outdoor lifestyle industry.
University in Miami, Fla. and a MBA
from the University of Chicago.
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2010 Film Release Details
Ride The Divide is the product of a truly independent film collaborative. The producers have funded the entire
cost of production and distribution of the film and will take a completely new approach to releasing the film to
the public. By employing the latest digital distribution platforms and connecting with the large and passionate
cycling and adventure film audiences worldwide, the filmmakers can deliver Ride The Divide simultaneously to
theater, TV, PC and mobile screens across the globe.
Key Dates & Venues:
April 2-3 – World Premiere - Vail Film Festival (Winner - Best Adventure Film Award), Vail, CO
www.vailfilmfestival.org
April 15-16 – Sea Otter Classic Screenings, IMAX Cannery Row Monterrey, CA www.seaotterclassic.com
April 29 - Newport Beach Film Festival, Newport Beach, CA http://newportbeach.bside.com/2010/films/
ridethedivide_newportbeach2010
May 20 - June 10 – Denver Film Society Screenings, Tivoli Theater, Denver, CO; Filmmaker & cast Q&A
www.denverfilm.org/filmcenter/detail.aspx?id=23191
May 22 – Boulder Theater Screening Event, in association with Boulder Mountainbike Alliance; Filmmaker Q&A
and live performance by soundtrack artist Gregory Alan Isakov following show www.bouldertheater.com/
event_detail.php?id=1285
June 10 – Canadian Premiere - Lux Cinema, Banff, Alberta, night before 2010 race starts; Filmmaker & cast Q&A
http://www.landmarkcinemas.ca
June 13-16 – Film will screen in four Montana cities as the 2010 race takes place: Bozeman, Helena, Missoula,
Whitefish http://www.ridethedividemovie.com/screenings/
June 29 - Special screening event at LIVESTRONG Foundation headquarters, Austin, TX
June 30 - Public screening, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Austin, TX
July 20 - Screening & Live Performance Event, World Cafe Live, Philadelphia; Soundtrack artist Amy Petty opens
night with an acoustic set followed by the Delaware Valley premiere of the film; Q&A session with filmmakers
and riders featured in film
August 5 - Public screening, Arlington Cinema Drafthouse, Arlington, VA; Washington DC area premiere; Q&A
session with filmmakers
June through September – Screenings in bike-friendly cities, including: Seattle, Minneapolis, Raleigh,
Washington DC, Salt Lake City, Brattleboro, Portland, Asheville, San Francisco, San Diego, Green Bay, Los
Angeles, Tucson, West Palm Beach
Fall – US Television Premiere on The Doc Channel www.documentarychannel.com
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Ride The Divide Film Fact Sheet
Country: USA
Language: English
Release Date: June 10, 2010
Run Time: 80 minutes
Format: HD Video, 5:1 Surround Sound
MPAA Rating: NR
TVRB Rating: G
Production Companies: The Documentary Channel, Red Popsicle
Director: Hunter Weeks
Executive Producer: Mike Dion
Producers: Hunter Weeks, Joe Cantwell
Associate Producers: Anthony Cimino, Josh Caldwell
Director of Photography: Hunter Weeks
Sound Design: Chuck Biddlecom, Mike Cramp
Motion Graphics & Colorist: Brian Eloe
Cast: Mike Dion, Matthew Lee, Mary Metcalf-Collier
Soundtrack: Red Pill Records, July 1, 2010 (Artists: Amy Petty, Ry Moran, Dominique
Fraissard, Round Mountain and Gregory Alan Isakov backed by Brandi Carlile)
Awards: Best Adventure Film (first recipient), 2010 Vail Film Festival
Website: www.ridethedividemovie.com
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Contact Information:
Joe Cantwell
Producer
+1.301.512.4240
[email protected]
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