March 25, 2008–The Tribeca Film Festival today announced that “Redbelt,” written and directed by David Mamet, will have its world premiere at the 2008 Tribeca Film Fest. “Redbelt” will also serve as the Gala premiere of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. Redbelt, a Sony Pictures Classics presentation, stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Emily Mortimer, Alice Braga and Tim Allen. The premiere will take place on Friday, April 25. The Festival runs April 23-May 4.
“Mamet has a brilliant voice, said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the premiere of his latest film Redbelt at this year's festival, where it will also be the gala of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.
“I am a fan of both the fight film and the samurai film. REDBELT is my homage to both. I hope you enjoy it, said David Mamet. We are pleased to be the Gala Premiere of the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. ESPN is the right fit for the world of mixed martial arts that David Mamet has brought to the big screen, said Michael Barker, Co-President, Sony Pictures Classics
“Redbelt tells the story of Mike Terry (Chiwetel Ejiofor), the chief instructor at the Southside Jiu-jitsu Academy. Although a talented fighter, he refuses to compete in professional bouts: Competition weakens the fighter. Instead, he trains dedicated students in the art of self-defense: bodyguards, cops, and soldiers. At his brother-in-laws club one evening, Mike saves famous action star Chet Frank (Tim Allen) from a severe beating. His defense of Frank leads to a job in the film industry, but other events conspire to force Mike to participate in a prize fight. An American samurai film set in the world of mixed martial arts, David Mamets Redbelt is a story about the limits of a single mans integrity.
Written and directed by David Mamet, “Redbelt” is produced by Chrisann Verges. The film will be released in New York and LA May 2, and nationally on May 9.