Darko Entertainment & Magnet ReleasingIn Association with Jerkschool Productions

Presents

A Magnet Release

GOD BLESS AMERICA Written & Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait

Official Selection:2011 Toronto Film Festival2012 SXSW Film Festival

FINAL PRESS NOTES

104 min., 2.35, 35mm

Distributor Contact: Press Contact NY/Nat’l: Press Contact LA/Nat’l:Matt Cowal Steve Beeman Michele RobertsonArianne Ayers Falco Ink Brooke BlumbergMagnolia Pictures 250 West 49th St. Suite 704 MRC(212) 924-6701 phone New York, NY 10019 8530 Wilshire Blvd., Ste. 420publicity@magpictures.com (212) 445-7100 phone Beverly Hills, CA 90211 stevenmbeeman@falcoink.com Mrobertson@mrc-

pr.comBrooke@mrc-pr.com

49 west 27th street 7th floor new york, ny 10001 tel 212 924 6701 fax 212 924 6742

www.magpictures.com

SYNOPSIS

Frank (Joel Murray) has had enough of the downward spiral of American culture. Divorced, recently fired, and possibly terminally ill, Frank truly has nothing left to live for.  But instead of taking his own life, he buys a gun and decides to take out his frustration on the cruelest, stupidest, most intolerant people he can imagine -- starting with some particularly odious reality television stars. Frank finds an unusual accomplice in a high-school student named Roxy (Tara Lynne Barr), who shares his sense of rage and disenfranchisement.  Together they embark on a nationwide assault on our country’s most irritating celebrities . . . Written and Directed by taboo-busting filmmaker and comedian Bobcat Goldthwait (Shakes the Clown, Sleeping Dogs Lie, World’s Greatest Dad), GOD BLESS AMERICA is a truly dark and very funny comedy for anyone who’s had enough of the dumbing down of our society.

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DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT – BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT

Some folks compare making a movie to giving birth to a child. There was a lot of blood and screaming while making GOD BLESS AMERICA so I guess that is true sometimes. Although a fable, this movie comes from a really sincere place for me.

It is about how America has become a cruel and vicious place, while asking the viewer, “Where are we going??” and “Are you part of the solution or are you part of the problem?” Or at least that is what I hope people take away from it. If not it’s just a bloody Valentine to my wife where I get to shoot and kill a baby and a guy who acts a lot like Simon Cowell. I’m fine either way.

I’m so happy the movie is playing Midnight Madness at the Toronto Film Festival. I was inspired to make GOD BLESS AMERICA while watching A HORRIBLE WAY TO DIE at Midnight Madness two years ago so I guess it’s the circle of life and death.

If you see me up at the fest please come up and say “hi” and if you don’t like my new baby just lie.

Word.

Bobcat

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ABOUT THE CAST

JOEL MURRAY - FrankJoel Murray is the youngest of a family of nine from Wilmette, Illinois where he got his start doing local children’s theatre and high school musicals. He did plays at Northern Illinois University and Loyola University of Chicago as well as performing with the Remains and the Organic Theatre Companies in Chicago. He was part of the group that started the I.O. (Improv Olympic) in Chicago and went on the work on stage for The Second City Theatre for five years.

Joel met Bobcat Goldthwait in 1985, when they both starred in ONE CRAZY SUMMER. Joel has also appeared in the films, SCROOGED, LONG GONE, SHAKES THE CLOWN, CABLE GUY, HATCH 1 and 2, and upcoming LAY THE FAVORITE and THE ARTIST.

He has been a series regular on the American situation comedies “Grand,” “Pacific Station,” “Love and War,” “Dharma and Greg” and “Still Standing.”

He has voiced numerous cartoons and commercials, enjoying an eleven-year stint as the voice of Chester the Cheetah for Cheetos. His voice will be part of the upcoming Pixar release Monsters University.

Joel writes and has directed various short films including THE ONE ABOUT THE NUN and THE PRIEST as well as the sit-coms “The Big Bang Theory,” “Dharma and Greg” and “Still Standing.” He wrote, directed and produced the short-lived golf comedy, “The Sweet Spot,” for Comedy Central that starred himself and his brothers Brian, Bill and John.

Murray got to make a dramatic turn with the role of Freddy Rumsen on AMC’s “Mad Men” and again last year on Showtime’s “Shameless.”

In his free time, Joel coaches football, baseball and basketball.

The role of Frank Murdoch in GOD BLESS AMERICA is the most fun he has ever had…except maybe being paid to golf with his brothers in Jamaica.

TARA LYNNE BARR - RoxyAs the children of working parents, Tara and her older sister, Erin, began their association with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington Valley in Southern California’s Orange County at very young ages for before and after-school care. When the Huntington Valley Boys and Girls Clubs started their Clubhouse Theatre program, Erin was quick to sign up. After watching her big sister perform, Tara caught the acting bug.

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In 2001, when she was just seven, Tara auditioned for the Clubhouse Theatre production of Toy Camp. She was cast in the role of “Ted E. Bear,” and her acting career began. Over the next three years, Tara performed in ten children’s theater productions, and declared at age nine that she needed an agent so she could move on to film and television projects. The theater remains one of her passions.

After performing non-stop in local children’s theater productions, at age nine she informed her parents that she needed an agent so she could move on to film and television work.

Since then, Tara’s diverse resume reflects her focus on a lasting career. Her television credits include a dramatic turn on NBC’s “Crossing Jordan;” a variety of comedic appearances for Disney and Nickelodeon, as well as a stint as the host of Encore Channel’s “Fear Fest: 31 Nights of Horror.” She has appeared in national and international commercials, has voiced characters for popular video games, and continues to perform on stage whenever time permits.

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ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

BOBCAT GOLDTHWAIT (WRITER / DIRECTOR)Born in the outskirts of Hollywood (Syracuse, New York) in 1962, Bobcat Goldthwait wrote and directed his first film SHAKES THE CLOWN in 1991. A dark cult comedy, SHAKES was heralded by the Boston Globe as the ‘Citizen Cane of Alcoholic clown movies,’ and lays claim to such fans as Martin Scorsese and Michael Stipe – in fact, the REM song “Binky the Doormat” was based on a line from SHAKES THE CLOWN.

Goldthwait’s next movie WINDY CITY HEAT appeared in the Cine Vegas Film Festival in 2004, and won Best Film at the Montreal Comedy Festival that year. Matt Stone (co-creator of South Park) has called WINDY CITY HEAT, “beyond genius” and Vice Magazine called it, “quite simply the greatest movie of all time.”

SLEEPING DOGS LIE marked Bobcat’s third feature film as a director. Written by Goldthwait, and financed by friends and pawn shops, the movie was shot entirely during a two week hiatus from his job directing JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE (2004-2006). It was chosen to compete in Sundance’s 2006 Dramatic competition, and was also in the London, Toronto, and San Sebastian Film Festivals. SLEEPING DOGS LIE is Goldthwait’s best reviewed work to date, and was hailed as “earnest and improbably moving” by Esquire Magazine and “demonically funny and surprisingly sweet” by Rolling Stone. Bobcat credits his failure to appear in the film as a good part of its success.

WORLD’S GREATEST DAD stars longtime friend Robin Williams, and was again made independently from the studio system (although this time Process and Darko Entertainment came on board and prevented any pawn shops from having to be involved). Shooting again with a cast made up primarily of close friends, WORLD’S GREATEST DAD was completed in Fall 2008 and premiered at the Sundance in January 2009. Glenn Whipp from the Chicago Tribune said, “WORLD’S GREATEST DAD proves unexpectedly moving in its portrait of a middle-age man leaving childish things behind.”

Bobcat has directed for many television shows including Chappelle’s Show, the “Man Show,” and “Crank Yankers.” As a comic, he has had three HBO specials and appeared on the David Letterman show by the time he was 20. As an actor he has appeared in an innumerable slew of movies and was huge in the 1980s, all of which has allowed him to live in an impossibly luxurious rental home in the Los Angeles area. He has a new upcoming Showtime special. Yet, everyone knows Bobcat is really best known for his ability to make all women swoon over his piercing blue eyes.

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FILMOGRAPHY

Films Written and Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait1991 Shakes the Clown2006 Sleeping Dogs Lie2009 World’s Greatest Dad2011 God Bless America

Films Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait2003 Windy City Heat (for tv)

TV Directed by Bobcat Goldthwait 2010 Important Things with Demetri Martin2004-2007 Jimmy Kimmel Live!2004 Non-Denominational All-Star Celebrity Holiday Special2003 Chapelle’s Show2002-2003 The Man Show2002 Crank Yankers2000 Strip Mall

DARKO ENTERTAINMENT (PRODUCERS)Darko Entertainment was launched in late 2007 by writer/director Richard Kelly, his producing partner Sean McKittrick and financier Ted Hamm along with Jeff Culotta. Kelly and McKittrick solidified their relationship with Hamm on Kelly’s second feature, the sci-fi comedy, SOUTHLAND TALES where Hamm was an Executive Producer.Based in Los Angeles, Darko finances modestly budgeted director driven films. Their goal is to support filmmakers with a unique voice and bring Darko’s brand to helping independent films reach a wider audience.

Among Darko’s upcoming projects is the screen version of the bestselling PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, which centers around the timeless story of Elizabeth Bennet’s quest for love and independence amidst a menace of zombies.

Darko’s most recent projects include producing and financing the following films: Bobcat Goldthwait’s critically acclaimed dark comedy, WORLD’S GREATEST DAD, starring Robin Williams; and the film version of Tucker Max’s bestseller, I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL, starring Matt Czuchry, Jesse Bradford and Geoff Stults.

Kelly and McKittrick first paired on Kelly’s short film, VISCERAL MATTER, in 1997. That partnership generated Kelly’s feature writing and directorial debut DONNIE DARKO, which premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival and went on to achieve international cult status. It earned three Independent Spirit Award nominations, including

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two for Kelly for Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay, and one for Best Male Lead (Jake Gyllenhaal).

CREDITS

Joel Murray FrankTara Lynne Barr Roxy

Melinda Page Hamilton AlisonMackenzie Brooke Smith Ava

Rich McDonald BradMaddie Hasson Chloe

Larry Miller Chloe’s DadDorie Barton Chloe’s Mom

Travis Wester EdLauren Phillips Ed's Wife

Guerrin Gardner Tampon Throwing, Tuff GurlKellie Marie Ramdhanie Melissa, Tuff Gurl

Aris Alvarado Steven ClarkRomeo Brown American Superstarz Host

Sandra Vergara American Superstarz HostJamie Harris American Superstarz Host

Alexie Gilmore Morning Show HostJames McAndrew Morning Show Host

Brendalyn Richard KarenGeoff Peirson Frank’s Boss

Tom Kenny Office StaffEliza Coyle Office Staff

Jill Talley Office StaffJoe Liss Office Staff

Bryce Johnson Co-workerCameron Denny Office Worker

Scot Zeller RonaldDanny Geter Mutual of Onodaga Security GuardDan Spencer Doctor

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Leslie Noble Medical Building WomanRegan Burns Michael Fuller

Bruce Nozick TMI HostOrson Oblowitz TMI Flunky

Frank Conniff Stan KurtzTom Lenk Party Planner #1

Jack Plotnick Party Planner #2Morgan Murphy Fast Food Employee

Gilland Jones Girl Who Gets Shot in Movie Theater

Naomi Glick Girl Who Doesn't Get Shot in Movie TheaterJacob Demonte-Finn Boy Who Gets Shot in Movie Theater #1

Carson Aune Boy Who Gets Shot in Movie Theater #2Toby Huss Man with Cell Phone Who Gets Shot

Christopher Allen Nelson TrooperIris Almario Sophia Milo

Tony V Pancake Eating Pedophile Mo Gaffney Singing Waitress

Andrea Squibb “Harper” Roxy’s MotherDavid Mendenhall Roxy’s Father

Steve Agee American Superstarz Crew Member

Chris Doyle America Superstarz Security Guard Who Gets ShotKirk Bovill Police Captain

Michael Carbonaro Robbie Barkley

Philip Anthony Traylor American Superstarz Backdoor Security GuardPaul Eliopoulos Reverend Goran

Mike Tristano Shady Gun Dealer

Lon Gowan Audience Member Who Runs and Doesn't Get Shot

Daniel Everson Audience Member Who Runs and Gets ShotSamantha Droke Chloe’s BFF

James Rustin Chloe’s BFFNathan Kim Dancer

Zuzana Humplova Dancer

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Hunter Hamilton Dancer Suzanne “Suze-Q” Pirnat Dancer

Brad Rowe Angry ProtestorNate Scholz Paparazzi

Stunt Coordinator Peewee PiedmontStunt Advisor Alex Daniels

Stunts Hubie Kearns Jr.Justin Gant

Choreographer Trish Sie

Production Supervisor Joel HenryProduction Coordinator Elizabeth E. Quinlan

Syracuse & NY Production Coordinator Veronica NickelAssistant Production Coordinator Sheila R. Rose

B Camera Operator Imre JuhaszAdditional Camera Operator John C. Reyes

High Speed Camera Operator Drew LauerSteadicam Operator Chris Falkowski

1st Assistant Camera John C. Reyes1st Assistant Camera NY Amy Botswick

2nd Assistant Camera Kim LapplanderJuan "Nito" J. Serna Jr.

B-Camera 1st Assistant Camera John Paul MeyerDIT Nick Martin

Techno Jib Operator Randy Gomez Sr.Techno Jib Tech Tim Lee

Playback Assistant Ryan WhisenantStill Photographer Mike Carano

Camera Department Interns Zach HunterKenny Bowen

Location Sound Mixers Arran Murphy

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Additional Sound Mixers Bill DonnellyAdam DouglassErnest J. Sanders

Boom Operators Jose BarocioOmar Barraza

Location Manager Rick SuradLocation Liaison - Syracuse Dennis S. Brogan

Set Decorator Kirk OberholtzerSet Dresser Mariano Rueda

Art Department Coordinator Leah HallisArt Department Assistant Alma Gamino

Leadman Josiah CrawfordBen Brecher

Assistant Leadman Jeremy PalmerOn-Set Dresser Alex Manjarrez

Property Master Vanesa Wilkey-EscobarProps Assistant Christine Mitchell

Graphic Designer Evan RegesterGraphics Jeffrey Cavelier

Animation Graphics Jeff StrikerArt Department Interns Rebekah Estey

Lindsey LongoRachael Meyers Marissa Stone

Construction Foreman Elizabeth CallensCarpenters Peter Dang

Albert ValdezCraig KeeferAlex Callens

American Superstarz Construction CoordinatorLarry Clark

Pyrotechnic DDFX

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Pyrotechnic/FX Assistant Chris DeLarenzoArmorer Mike Tristano

Stepka Li

Gaffer Brant BelandBest Boy Electrics Joel Marich

Chris OnelinerPaul F. Brown III

Electricians Cody ColdwellJustin KemperMark StuenErica ThurlowJan-Michael Del Mundo Steve Belovarich

Electric Intern Bo Ng

Lighting Designer Jerry WatsonLighting Director Gus Dominguez

Lighting Consule Programmer Patrick GeorgeMoving Light Technicians Ruben Gonzales

Chris GuerrorPatrick J. KearnsDamyon Tashian

Theatrical Lighting Best Boy Douglas BardKey Grip Julien Janigo

Best Boy Grip Mike PrimTorrey SchoernerBob Low

Grips Ryan GirkensLevi DertnerDaniel DoughertyRyan Breitenbach

Syracuse Grip Bart DurkinGrip Intern Nik Sipolins

Swing Interns Kenneth Thompson

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Gabriel GonzalesAlex Goyette

Key Costumer Tasha GoldthwaitAdditional Costumers Brittany Trusler

Eileen Goh

Key Make-Up and Hair Dawn SubhasiriwatanaAdditional Make-Up and Hair Abigail Bradley

Kierra SchefferMake-Up Assistants Morgan Jenkins

Noa BrandesBrittnie Fontaine

SFX Make-Up Christopher NelsonRobert Kato DeStefanJenn Rose

Script Supervisor Andra Hayes

Extras Casting by David Kater, Background ArtistsExtras On Set Coordinator Jack Grimmett

Stand Ins Andrew RavaniBrian GuerroPhil ThompsonMartin UviziJasmine JandreauHeidi StricklerRachael GoerssJustin LesterTom RixAshleigh PerryBethany KouliasNatalie Rose Vajda

Production Accountants Jean Kolstad, Bruce Gravelle

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1st Assistant Director Michael Breines2nd Assistant Director Lori Ashfield

Second 2nd Assistant Director Aimee PiersonKey Set Production Assistants Tyler Diamond

Matt CarsonMike Rutkowski

Set Production Assistants Taylor EricksonJames ChichilRyan MeyersJake HartlineMatt KollarBrandon HwangAli NaqviMelissa VaronaLeticia Arioli

Office Production Assistant Amy McDonaldSet Interns Justin Sostre

Naomi IwamotoJosh SessomsMel ChristianDaniel SeoCaroline KimNick CraneJohn ParkMichael NannettiViktor Von DrakkPhilip Kimbrough

Set Medics Caesar RoblesRoger LunaKenneth Kraus

Studio Teacher Frank Gieb

Catering Diane Timmons, Impeccable Taste Catering

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Craft Service Barbara Fleeman, Creative Edible Delights

Assistant Craft Service Alaina Filo

Additonal Editing by Brad MorrisonAssistant Editors Alan Lakomskis

Jeremy BenadonPlayback Assistant Editor Ryan Whisenant

Post Production Supervisor Josh FalconPost Production Sound Services by Wildfire Studios, LLC.

Clearnace Supervisors Llyswen Franks, Clifford S. Broadway

Supervising Sound Editor / Sound Designer Robert C. JacksonRe-Recording Mixer Gabe Serrano

Sound Effects Editors Casey GentonRyan Collins

Dialogue Editors Sang KimCallie Thurman

Mis Recordist Tim LimerADR Engineer Paul Carden

Additional Voices Grey DeLisleTom KennyJill TalleyCedric YarbroughDave BoatJamieson Price

Loopers Catherine CavadiniVicki DavisRuth ZalduondoGreg FinleyJason PaceDavid Michie

Visual Efficts by Grandient Effects, LLCVisual Effects Executive Producer Thomas Tannenberger

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Visual Effects Rebecca RamserVisual Effects Coordinator Luis Pazos

2D Digital Compositing Travis Baumann

Finishing Services Provided by Hollywood DIDigital Intermediate Editor Neil Smith

Online Editor & Colorist Aaron Peak

Production Legal Pamela Hicks, Esq. Uyen Le, Esq.Hicks Professional Law Corporation

Payroll Provided by NPI Production Services

Cameras and Lenses Provided by

Mediabox/Island Creek Pictures, Inc., The Camera House, Camera Support, Hollywood Special Ops, LLC, Robert Schierer, Tim Roe

Grip/Electric Equipment Provided by Cinelease, Illumination Dynamics, Cinerep Amps,

Transportation Provided byGalpin Studio Rentals, Beverly Hills Car & Truck Rental, Genie Production Vehicles

Script Clearance Research by Creative Clearance

Production Insurance Provided by American Entertainment Insurance Services, State Fund Insurance

Publicity Provided byMichele Robertson and Brooke Blumberg, MRC PR

Special ThanksAaron Burt

Action Audio VisualAlannah Gospodnetich

Alison KowalskyAll our friends at High Voltage Tattoo

All our friends who beg, borrowed and stole things for usAlyssa & Mariah Solares and Family

Andy PaleyAntonitta Barnes

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Brook RunyanC.L. Jones

Chris FraticelliChuck Gordon

City of Syracuse Crazy Mike Gaboff

Dan CohenDaryl SabaraDave Thomas

David and Nathan ZellnerDennis Brogan

Detective Karla WhiskersonDinosaur BBQ

Elizabeth and Kelly HarridgeFilm LA

Genesee Grande HotelHinderwadel's

J. Dolan CommunicationsJeffrey Tolle

Joaquin PobleteJustin TalleyKat Mc PheeKat Von D

Kristen CorrellKurt KroeberKyle CarrozaLarry Estes

Lauren KushinLaurie Barrett, Camera Support

LAX VIP LimoLiam Fitzpatrick

Linda and John OlivieriLuis Villareall

Madeline PurrmanMary and John Wasilewski

Matt Bosson

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Megan HubbellMichael Fernandez

Mike Nudge, CineleaseMike Plante

Mike PutnamMoving Pictures Anywhere

Mynette LouieNate Cormier

Nathan BowersOrson Oblowitz

Otisco Lake MarinaOwen Shapiro

Pam, Grace and Ella GoldthwaitPaul Doherty and Family

Peeps LaRuePrice ChopperRandy EriksonRandy Gomez

Rebecca Erwin SpencerRick Alonso

Robert KramerRobert SchriererRobin WilliamsRodney MunozRyan Howlett

Sandra LucchesiSean JohnsonSonia Navarro

Squeaky Fromme-GoldthwaitStephanie Kemo

Steve Gyuire, SKYE RentalsSteve Martin

Studio Picture VehiclesSusan Barbour

Teenage MillionaireThe Zellner Brothers

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Tim RoeTimmy Red

TLC CreativeTodd LuotoTony Paone

Tony RomeroTricia and Gavin Wagner

Will SzczechZoe "The Fighting Pug" McKittrick

For Jack Burns

The characters and incidents portrayed and the names herein are fictitious, and any similarity to the name, character or history of any person is entirely coincidental and

unintentional.

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