Intimate Look at Personal Journeys of Five Very Different Gay, Straight and Transgender Hate Crime Survivors Sets Digital Debut for North American VOD Platforms on March 7, 2023
Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired North American VOD rights to the LGBTQ+ documentary PIECES OF US. PIECES OF US will be available to rent and own on North American digital HD internet and satellite platforms on March 7, 2023, through Freestyle Digital Media. The PIECES OF US award-winning festival run included multiple jury awards for best documentary feature, several nods for achievement in directing, and a 2021 Humanitarian Award from the IndieFEST Film Awards.
PIECES OF US is an intimate look at the personal journeys of five very different gay, straight and transgender people whose lives are forever changed by LGBTQ+ hate crime. As their world’s intertwine, the film juxtaposes their inspirational stories of recovery with the powerful connections their public actions have produced, over three generations. Including India’s only openly gay Prince, Manvendra Singh Gohil, and Victoria Cruz, transgender activist and Stonewall Riots survivor, the film culminates at World Pride in New York City, and reveals how embracing our shared humanity can overcome what divides us, when we choose love over hate.
Written and directed by Cheryl Allison, PIECES OF US was produced by Mark Von der Heide, Cheryl Allison, Mykel Dicus, and Carina Rush. PIECES OF US spotlights the true-life stories of Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil, Victoria Cruz, JP Masterson (Rap Artist Jipsta), Leia Pierce, Mykel Dicus, Duke DeAndre Richardson, Peter Moore, Dakota Keyes, Beverly Tillery (NYC Anti-Violence Project), Sue Sena (Swish Ally Fund), Brett James and Blanca Leos (PFLAG).
“Pieces of Us could have easily been filmed as a straightforward documentary focusing solely on the rise of LGBTQ+ hate crimes, but I wanted more for this film,” said filmmaker Cheryl Allison. “While hate crime statistics and hearing personal accounts of assaults are incredibly important, I feel it is equally important to explore the path one chooses after surviving such a horrific event. The film examines the aftermath of hate crime survivors who choose to be defined by love, hope and healing. We reveal their deeply personal journeys from violence to triumph, following their stories as they heal themselves by reaching out to help heal others. My hope is that the viewer will leave having seen and experienced a piece of themselves in each of our subjects. After all, isn’t strength, courage, healing and love what we all strive for as human beings?”
Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal to acquire PIECES OF US with Alex Nohe of Blood Sweat and Honey.
PIECES OF US website: www.piecesofusthefilm.com
PIECES OF US trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=
PIECES OF US PR ASSETS: https://app.box.com/s/
About Freestyle Digital Media
The digital distribution unit of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, Freestyle Digital Media, is a premiere multi-platform distributor with direct partnerships across all major cable, digital and streaming platforms. Capitalizing on a robust infrastructure, proven track record and a veteran sales team, Freestyle Digital Media is a true home for independent films. Recent releases include DEAR ZOE starring Sadie Sink from the hit Netflix series STRANGER THINGS, Jessica Capshaw and Theo Rossi, BEST SUMMER EVER the teen musical featuring a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson, THE WEDDING YEAR starring Sarah Hyland and Anna Camp, THE LAST PHOTOGRAPH starring Danny Houston, BERSERK starring Nick Cannon, UNTOGETHER starring Jamie Doran, Jemima Kirke, Ben Mendelsohn, Alice Eve and Billy Crystal. Other Freestyle titles include the action-comedy BETTER START RUNNING starring Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons and Maria Bello, THE BACHELORS starring Academy Award-winner J.K. Simmons, Julie Delpy and Odeya Rush, the award-winning documentary HONDROS produced by Jamie Lee Curtis and Jake Gyllenhaal, horror documentary DEMON HOUSE starring Zak Bagans, host of Travel Channel’s highest rated show Ghost Adventures, sci-fi thriller THE RECALL starring Wesley Snipes, MILES starring Molly Shannon and Paul Reiser.
For more information, visit:
www.allenmedia.tv
www.freestyledigitalmedia.tv
