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ADV Kicks Off Summer With DARK WATER, Loads of New Anime & Sci-Fi

ADV FILMS KICKS OFF SUMMER WITH DARK WATER, LOADS OF NEW ANIME & SCI-FI

HOUSTON, June 10, 2005 —ADV Films, the number one producer-distributor of anime in North America, is pleased to announce the North American release of the hit Japanese horror film Dark Water, the hot new goth anime series Gilgamesh, the newest installment of Farscape: Starburst Edition, and the third volume of the anime series Divergence Eve – available everywhere DVDs are sold on June 21!

DARK WATER Original Film on DVD


Get The Latest from the “Godfather of Japanese Horror” June 21

Hollywood Adaptation Starring Jennifer Connelly Opens July 8


ADV Films, the #1 producer-distributor of anime in North America, today announced the DVD release of the original Japanese motion picture Dark Water on June 21, 2005, just weeks before the Touchstone Pictures adaptation hits theaters across the United States and Canada.

Dark Water is based on the original novel by Koji Suzuki, “the Stephen King of Japan,” who wrote the best-selling Ring series. The film is directed by Hideo Nakata, who not only directed both Japanese Ring adaptations but also helmed Dreamworks' remake of Ring 2.

Nakata has been called “the spiritual godfather of Japanese horror” (Entertainment Weekly), and the acclaimed director was even named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2004. Nakata is credited with helping to usher in a new era of smart, suspenseful, and visually rich horror films. “In his thrillers, Nakata concentrates less on the explosion of the time bomb than on the ticking inside it; abstract images on a videotape, an aquarium tank full of dead fish, water stain spreading on a ceiling” (Time).

The Touchstone Pictures adaptation of Dark Water stars Jennifer Connelly and John C. Reilly. Directed by Walter Salles (The Motorcycle Diaries, Central Station) and produced by Bill Mechanic (Coraline), the US remake opens in theaters July 8.

Synopsis: Yoshimi Matsubara is fighting to gain legal custody of her five-year-old daughter, Ikuko. Under pressure to find a place of their own, the two settle for a dark and musty apartment. But little do they expect what lies ahead. Already insecure and uncertain about her future with her daughter, Yoshimi is haunted by the life-like murky water dripping through the ceiling and walls which gets worse day by day. Even more bothersome are the random and unlikely reappearances of a small red bag, which once belonged to a little girl who mysteriously disappeared two years before. Though she desperately struggles to find the strength within herself for Ikuko's sake, her horror intensifies as she comes closer to discovering the connection between these events. She is ultimately tested in an intensely driven climax where she faces the worst of her fears and expectations.


Dark Water (SRP $19.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 5.1 with English subtitles.



DVD Product Details

Running Time: 100 minutes
Age Rating: PG-13
CAT: DDKW/001
UPC: 702727090127
Pre-Book Date: May 24th
Street Date: June 21st
Format: DVD
SRP: $19.98



Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.



GILGAMESH: ORPHANS OF THE APOCOLYPSE

The New Series That Brings Goth to Anime

ADV pushes the boundaries of anime on June 21 with Gilgamesh: Orphans of the Apocolypse, the first volume in a new DVD series with a cool goth edge.

Gilgamesh is the new sci-fi masterpiece from Shotaro Ishinomori (Cyborg 009, Kamen Rider). Ishinomori has created a dark, post-apocalyptic world where the sky has been turned into a psychedelic mirror, and civilization is only a shadow of its former self. Where beautiful assasins transform into terrifying winged creatures. Where children are born with amazing powers. And where a brother and sister are hunted by organizations with shadowy agendas. Gorgeous animation, breakthrough character designs, and stunning visuals make this suspenseful, addictive tale of mystery, magic, and espionage the first gothic masterpiece of the new millennium!

Synopsis: After the terrorist incident of October 10, the sky has been turned into a psychedelic mirror, sadly reflecting a civilization that's only a shadow of its former glory. As the world struggles to rebuild itself, two powerful forces wage a secret and terrifying war. Trying to restore the world to its former state is Orga, a tiny group of mutants with amazing psychic powers. Controlled by a wealthy and powerful widow known only as The Countess, they wait within her secret lair in the posh Hotel Providence for their enemy to stir—a dark cadre who've taken the name Gilgamesh. A black leather-clad army of beautiful and mysterious beings, Gilgamesh bow only to their “master”, the brilliantly dangerous scientist who seeks to finish the terrorist attack he started years before. And caught between these warring factions? Two runaways. A brother and sister who hold the key to destroying the world—or saving it.

Gilgamesh: Orphans of the Apocolypse (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including the first five episodes of the series, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include video of production sketches, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

Collectors Edition Available!

A Gilgamesh: Orphans of the Apocolypse Collectors Edition is also available. This special collectors edition contains the first volume of Gilgamesh in a stunning custom series art box with full color artwork sized to hold the entire seven volume series (SRP $39.98).

DVD Product Details

Volume: 1 of 7
Running Time: 125 minutes
Age Rating: TV 14 (M)
CAT: DGLM/001 / DGLM/BX1 (Collectors Box)
UPC: 702727122026 / 702727129025 (Collectors Box)
Pre-Book Date: 5/24/2005
Street Date: 6/21/2005
Format: DVD
SRP: $29.98 / $39.98

Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.


FARSCAPE: STARBURST EDITION 2.1

The Deluxe Starburst Series Soars Into Second Season

ADV Films is pleased to announce the fourth installment of its wildly successful Farscape: Starburst Edition series, with an expanded and updated volume that starts the second season of the classic sci-fi series. Farscape: Starburst Edition 2.1 will be available everywhere DVDs are sold on June 21.

This terrific new 2-disc collection includes 8 complete episodes, two hours of in-depth video profiles of the cast and crew, audio commentaries with the cast and filmmakers (including new commentaries recorded specifically for the Starburst Edition), and tons of new behind the scenes information and games that die-hard fans of this fantasy-sci-fi-drama-romance-comedy-adventure-space odyssey will love.

Farscape is an adventure as broad and weird as the universe -- full of strange creatures, bizarre twists, irreverent humor, raucous action, passion, and romance! Produced in Australia by The Jim Henson Company and Hallmark Entertainment, Farscape has been called “The Best Sci-Fi on TV,” by TV Guide, and hailed as “TV's Best Space Series” by USA Today. Farscape also received the Saturn Award for Best Syndicated/Cable Series three years in a row (2001, 2002, 2003).

Farscape: Starburst Edition Collection Four (SRP $24.98) is a DVD-only release, including 8 complete episodes on two double-sided discs, with audio presented in English 5.1 and 2.0. Each episode is close captioned and also subtitled for the hearing impaired. Episodes in this collection: “Mind the Baby,” “Vitas Mortis,” “Taking the Stone,” “Crackers Don't Matter,” “The Way We Weren't,” “Picture If You Will,” “Home on the Remains,” and “Union.”

This collection is packed with almost too many extras to list! First off are the NEW commentaries for “Crackers Don't Matter, with Claudia Black and Director Ian Watson, and “The Way We Weren't,” with Claudia Black and Director Ben Browder. Then we have brand new installments of the Starburst staples “The Farscape Chronicles,” “Alien Encounters,” and “Cool Farscape Facts.” Impress your friends by mastering The FarSpeak Game through two new segments, “Alien Slang” and “Technical Terms.” And of course no Starburst Edition would be complete without loads and loads of directors' cut scenes. It's an embarrassment of riches, and it can all be yours for the suggested retail price of just $24.98!

DVD Product Details


Volume: 1 of 3
Running Time: 350 minutes
Age Rating: n/a
CAT: DFSR/004
UPC: 702727099625
Pre-Book Date: 5/24/2005
Street Date: 6/21/2005
Format: DVD
SRP: $24.98



Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.



DIVERGENCE EVE: THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Creatures From a Dark Dimension Are On the Attack, and Only A Bevy of Beautiful Babes Can Stop Them!

ADV is pleased to announce the third installment of the Divergence Eve saga, The Beginning of the End, streeting June 21st every anime is sold.

Divergence Eve is a bold and imaginative voyage leading directly into the heart of evil. In the 24th century, faster-than-light travel has become a reality. But at the furthest edges of space, beings from a parallel universe threaten mankind's new colonies, whose only protection comes from a lone space station. Yet danger also lurks within the heart of the station itself, where someone is planning something even deadlier for mankind.

Synopsis: Seraphim must choose who amongst them can fight the final battle. When the price of losing is certain death, only the bravest dare to venture out on sorties. As Misaki battles with ghosts from her past, she must watch as Ghouls violate and annihilate her closest friends. She must choose between destroying herself, or allowing the Watcher's Nest to be the victim of certain destruction. But someone is about to unlock Misaki's secret… someone who will surely use her power for evil.

Divergence Eve: The Beginning Of The End (SRP $29.98 DVD) is a DVD-only release including episodes 10 – 13, presented in both English 5.1 and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles. Extras include original Japanese promo spots, a commentary with voice actress Christine Auten (Luxandra) and ADR Director Sandra Krasa, plus clean opening animation, clean closing animation, and previews of upcoming ADV Films releases.

DVD Product Details

Volume: 3 of 3
Running Time: 100 minutes
Age Rating: TV 14 (V)
CAT: DDVE/003
UPC: 702727105722
Pre-Book Date: 5/24/2005
Street Date: 6/21/2005
Format: DVD
SRP: $29.98



Product specifications and content configuration subject to change.





About ADV Films:

In the 12 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation (“anime”) for the North American market and has also developed a leadership position in the UK. With best-selling titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, RahXephon, Robotech, Full Metal Panic, Hello Kitty and Azumanga Daioh, ADV Films' extensive catalog is fueling the popularity of anime around the globe. ADV Films' library also includes popular live-action science fiction programs such as The Jim Henson Company's Farscape, the nationally syndicated Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda and the Saturn Award-nominated Mutant X.



Parent company, A.D. Vision, Inc., encompasses a multitude of complementary media divisions, spanning publishing, television, licensing and merchandising and continues to expand into new areas. Its Anime Network™ is America's first and only television network dedicated to bringing anime and anime-related programming to consumers nationwide via digital cable 24 hours a day. The company has two publishing arms: Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly magazine, and ADV Manga™, dedicated to publishing graphic novels. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit www.advfilms.com.

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