The Isle of Man is getting the red carpet treatment with the London premiere of the film TT3D Closer to the Edge, produced by Manx based film company CinemaNX.
The UK premiere will take place on 14th April at the Vue Cinema, Westfield, site of Europe’s leading shopping centre. The Westfield also has the UK’s leading 3D screen, the new ‘3D Xtreme’. Legendary commentator Murray Walker will host the VIP event, which will see celebrities rubbing shoulders with the leading TT riders including Guy Martin, Ian Hutchinson, Michael Dunlop and local racer Conor Cummins. Many of the leading figures in the film, business and motorcycle industry have also been invited. Murray, who has already seen the film at an earlier press preview commented: “Closer to the Edge captures the history, the drama, the humour and most of all, the humanity of this unique event. Watching this film, for me, was a very moving and humbling experience.”
The event will also feature a ride out by around 250 bike riders, who will be setting off from iconic biking meeting venue ‘The Ace Café’ in North London to the Westfield. The prestigious Getty Collection of TT images will be on display for two weeks at the Westfield Centre and the Senior and Junior TT trophies will also be travelling to London under the watchful eye of G4S for the Film’s Premiere night.
The Belfast Film Festival on the 13th April will also be premiering TT3D Closer to the Edge with TT riders such as Ryan Farquhar, Michael and William Dunlop and many of the Irish based teams attending. The film, which is narrated by Hollywood star Jared Leto, has already received a number of glowing reports and previews from journalists who have attended press screenings. MCN’s Gary Pinchin believes that “the film is an honest representation of what the TT is all about… it pulls no punches, it’s a story about the enduring strength of the human spirit and the will to win”, while respected Times journalist and author Rick Broadbent commented: ‘the last great race is celebrated in a documentary that brilliantly realises the attraction’. Film titles Empire and Total Film have both given four-star reviews. The film is supported with a major poster campaign in city centres including London Underground advertising and will also be heavily promoted in press and through media partnerships with the London Evening Standard and Motorcycle News.
Steve Christian, Producer of Closer to the Edge, commented: “We are delighted with the early reviews of the film that bode well for the documentary’s success. We believe that the film is an excellent showcase for both the Isle of Man and the TT Races and will significantly raise the profile of both worldwide.” The film will also be premiered on the Isle of Man on the 18th April as part of the launch of TT2011 and will be shown nightly from 9.15pm at the Villa Broadway from the 22nd April to the 5th May, the same date that it goes on general release in the UK.