The show must go on – and Front Row Filmed Entertainment agrees. In a pioneering move, the leading independent film distribution company (responsible for bringing the likes of Judy and The Farewell to the Middle East) is premiering select cinema releases directly on digital and on-demand platforms across the region, starting with Resistance, today. Boasting an all-star cast headed by Jesse Eisenberg , Ed Harris, and Clémence Poésy, the biopic follows the story of legendary French entertainer, Marcel Marceau.
The world hasn’t stopped – it’s changing.
This marks the first time that a regional distributor has forgone a theatrical release in favor of a straight-to-VOD one in the Middle East – Resistance was supposed to hit cinemas on April 9, but in light of the ongoing lockdown, Front Row decided to make it available to the public in the safety of their homes. The film will be available to buy and rent on iTunes, Google Play, beIN ON DEMAND, and OSN Store as well as all local platforms like Du, Etisalat E-Vision, Ooredoo, Vodafone, and OmanTel.
“Front Row is strongly committed to theatrical exhibition,” said Gianluca Chakra, founder and CEO of Front Row. “However, COVID-19 has quarantined MENA moviegoers and, given these uncertain times, it’s useless to stall on releases and deprive moviegoers from fresh premium content. The world hasn’t stopped – it’s changing, and so are viewing habits that dictate new business models.” As for what’s next on the roster? Endings, Beginnings (starring Shailene Woodley), The Truth (boasting an all-round killer cast), and Misbehaviour (with Keira Knightley and Greg Kinnear) amongst others. The 2020 Sundance Film Festival sensation The Assistant – starring Julia Garner of Ozark fame – is also expected at a later date.
