From NY Daily News
by ELIZABETH WEITZMAN

Rashaad Ernesto Green left New York to bring his first feature to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. We’ve been following the director’s progress throughout the week, leading to the long-awaited premiere of his Bronx-set drama, “Gun Hill Road.”

MONDAY (DAY 5):
Today was a bit surreal. I woke up at 3 a.m., anticipating tonight’s world premiere of “Gun Hill Road.” Later, while the cast got ready, I went to the theater to check the sound. We all walked the press line together; it was a lot of fun talking to television networks and having our pictures taken by WireImage.

The turnout was great — a sold-out show! It was wonderful to watch as “Gun Hill Road” played before an audience for the first time. What was once a thought in my head was now becoming reality before my eyes.

The response was very enthusiastic, and the post-show Q&A was fantastic.

When Harmony Santana introduced herself, the crowd erupted into a standing ovation. She spoke about how the character’s struggle and her own life were intertwined, and grew emotional.

Esai Morales looked back at me with tears in his eyes, and co-star Judy Reyes welled up, too.

At our premiere party later, people sang nothing but praise to the cast and crew. It was an incredible day.

TUESDAY (DAY 6):
Today we screened “Gun Hill Road” before another sold-out crowd. At the Q&A, one of our cast members, Robert Salzman of the Bronx, spoke of how he had lived in the penitentiary system for years. He had thought I was insane for approaching
him on a train and asking him to audition, even though he’d never acted before.

He explained it was never too late to turn one’s life around, and that being in the film gave him a sense of family and acceptance he had never experienced.

WEDNESDAY (DAY 7):
There’s been some interest from various distributors to exhibit “Gun Hill Road” theatrically and beyond, so today was deal time. Of course, that’s a big reason filmmakers come to Sundance. Our production counsel and domestic sales representative put their heads together to iron out details on what seems a promising distribution package. It looks like we may be close.

THURSDAY (DAY 8):
The deal was signed at midnight: “Gun Hill Road” has been picked up by startup distributor Motion Film Group! I’m tremendously excited by the possibilities, and I’m really happy that it happened so fast. The entire team is thrilled; hopefully the responses we received from Sundance audiences will carry over when we open in New York theaters this summer.

Motion Film Group, Inc. plans to also bring the movie to the international buyers market at the Cannes Film Festival in May. For more about Green’s film, visit gunhillroad.com.