'I am a Part of American History - This is My Land... and I Want That Acknowledged!'

'I am a Part of American History - This is My Land... and I Want That Acknowledged!'

TH Entertainment Announces the Eagerly Anticipated Theatrical Release of Proud

Film Icon Ossie Davis' Legacy Preserved in Last Role

NEW YORK, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- TH Entertainment will present the eagerly anticipated theatrical release of "Proud" beginning Friday, September 23, 2005. "Proud," based on the book "Proudly We Served," tells the story of the brave men of the WWII destroyer escort, USS Mason, the only crew of African-American sailors to take a warship into combat during WWII. Tommy Hilfiger financed the production of the film through his newly formed company, TH Entertainment.

Distributed by Castle Hill Productions, "Proud" will premiere in Washington, DC at The National Archives on September 21st as a part of the Congressional Black Caucus annual conference. The film will then be released in fifteen theaters in the Washington, DC area and have a platformed release throughout the country.

The cast of "Proud" stars screen legend Ossie Davis in one of his last roles and also features Stephen Rea, Darnell Williams, Denise Nicholas, Vernel Bagneris and stars Albert Jones, Erik LaRay Harvey and Jeffrey Nash. The film also features special appearances by Kidada Jones, Keisha Whittaker, Rashad Houghton and Nobel Prize winner, John Hume.

"I am a part of American history," says Ossie Davis in the role of WWII veteran Lorenzo Dufau, whose life is the basis of the movie. "This is my land. I defended it... and I want that acknowledged." Ossie Davis stars as the veteran who passes the story of "Proud" to his grandson and his friends. The men of "Proud" not only battled war, but racism at home. When they reached their first port in Northern Ireland, the Irish welcomed them with respect, friendship and made them feel like "Americans" for the very first time in their lives.

The film focuses on the real life story of veterans Lorenzo Dufau and James Graham. Mr. Dufau is from New Orleans, with family still there, which makes his statement resonate even louder in light of the tragedy that community is suffering.

Veteran James Graham, founder of the USS Mason Association, who appears in the film explained, "For all these years I've watched all the classic World War II films and I never saw any African-Americans. But we were there -- in the millions -- we were there. Proud tells the whole story."

Mary Pat Kelly, author of the book "Proudly We Served," wrote and directed the film. Ally Hilfiger is the producer and Sheila Cox served as co-producer.

Following this premiere screening, the film will begin its rollout in select cities around the country. Among the cities to release the film will be New York, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Buffalo, Cleveland with more cities to follow. For further information and details please log on to http://www.proudthemovie.com/.

Source: TH Entertainment

CONTACT: Sonya McNair, +1-917-447-6112

Web site: http://www.proudthemovie.com/

------- Profile: Ent