July 31, 2003

Movie about Paris-Dakar rally to be released in 2004

Toronto, Ontario - Standard 8 Releasing is currently in production of an adventure documentary, "The Last Road Trip: Paris to Dakar." The movie will focus on several teams of adventurers who attempt to complete the world's most famous rally, a race followed passionately by several hundred million fans throughout Europe and Asia each year. The feature film will showcase spectacular cinematography punctuated by intense action featuring racing compatriots Thierry Sabine and Hubert Auriol.

Founded in 1979 by Sabine after racing through the desert on a single motorcycle, the race has grown to include hundreds of entrants each year who compete by truck, car or motorcycle.

Traditionally beginning the first week of January, the race continues over three weeks and 6,000 miles as the entire convoy idles through France and Spain before letting it rip across the desert sands of Morocco, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. The exact route is constantly subject to change due to the intense volatility of the region, but somehow the violent threat of local mercenaries only adds to the rally's lore.

With secondary footage currently being shot, principal photography commences the last week of December 2003, as the race begins at the Eiffel Tower and continues over three weeks and 6,000 miles through France, Spain, Morocco, Mali, Mauritania and Senegal. The exact route is subject to change due to the intense volatility of the region.

Faced with such overwhelming obstacles as sandstorms, searing heat, deadly land mines, and desert mercenaries, the competitors have one goal: Arrive alive.

In addition to working with leading studios like Disney, Columbia Pictures, and MGM, Standard 8 has become the leading cinema house for high caliber storytelling for the alternative sports segment. See www.thelastroadtrip.com for more information.

More News....