Behind the song, is a story...

NEWS RELEASE

ODEON FILMS

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Odeon Films' release of Amazing Grace coincides with 200th anniversary of abolition of slave trade in British empire

The true story of a man who took on an Empire and the birth of the hymn sung around the world

TORONTO - Amazing Grace, a moving historical epic about anti-slavery pioneer William Wilberforce, will open in Canadian theatres on March 23.

The film's release coincides with the anniversary marking 200 years since the passing of the Slave Trade Act in British Parliament.

From Walden Media and Bristol Bay Entertainment, producers of The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, and acclaimed director Michael Apted, Amazing Grace tells the inspiring story of Wilberforce (Ioan Gruffudd), a British MP and leader of the abolition movement, and his struggle to pass a law to end the slave trade in the late 18th century.

Along the way, Wilberforce meets intense opposition from members of Parliament who feel the slave trade is tied to the stability of the British Empire.

Several friends, including Wilberforce's minister, John Newton (Albert Finney), a reformed slave ship captain who penned the beloved hymn "Amazing Grace," urge him to see the cause through.

Written by Academy Award(R) nominee Steven Knight, the film boasts a tremendous ensemble cast including Benedict Cumberbatch, Romola Garai, Rufus Sewell, Michael Gambon, Ciarin Hinds, Toby Jones and Youssour N'Dour.

Additional information and resources on the film and the ongoing campaign to end modern day slavery can be found at the following sites:

Film, cast, production: AmazingGraceMovie.com

The Amazing Change Campaign: AmazingChange.com

Group sales and bookings: OdeonFilms.com

Amazing Grace is distributed in Canada by Odeon Films, a division of Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution.

Executive producer is Jeanney Kim, with Mark Cooper as co-producer.

Producers on the film are Terrance Malick and Ed Pressman under their Sunflower Productions banner, Patricia Heaton and David Hunt for FourBoys Films, and Ken Wales.

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