Live Free or Die Opened in New England theatres on March 30

by Matthew Newton, Film Specialist
Department of Cultural Resources

The New Hampshire Film and Television Office is pleased to announce that Live Free or Die, a feature film shot entirely on location in Claremont, NH, opened to a limited release in New England theatres on Friday, March 30th.

Live Free or Die, an offbeat comedy written and directed by former "Seinfeld" writers Gregg Kavet and Andy Robin, stars Aaron Stanford, Paul Schneider, Zooey Deschanel, Michael Rapaport, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Kevin Dunn and Judah Friedlander and tells the story of a clueless, aspiring criminal named John "Rugged" Rudgate (Stanford) who spends his days forging rebate checks and selling speakers out the back of his van. When Rugged runs into an old acquaintance, the dim-witted Jeff Lagrand (Schneider), and tries to force himself into the Lagrand family business, things go terribly wrong. The situation gets even more complicated when an emotionally unstable cop (Rapaport) begins investigating.

The film was shown at the Regal Portsmouth 5 Cinemas, the Regal Manchester 9 Cinemas, the Entertainment Cinemas Lebanon 6, and the Claremont Cinema 6. The film will open in Keene at The Colonial Theatre on April 6th. The film also opened on March 30th in Boston, MA and Providence, RI. Patrons should check local listings for show times.

"We're excited to see Live Free or Die open on New Hampshire movie screens," says Van McLeod, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Resources. "It was a joy working with the cast and crew of the film while they were shooting in New Hampshire. It will be an even greater joy to share the final product with moviegoers around the state."

"This is a true success story for New Hampshire," says Matthew Newton, Film Specialist managing the New Hampshire Film and Television Office. "We were able to connect the filmmakers with city officials in Claremont and a number of state agencies to help this production roll without a hitch. It was great to host them here."

"During production, we received tremendous support in New Hampshire at every level, from locals in Claremont to the state film office to the Governor's Office," says John Limotte, one of the film's producers. "We hope to repay New Hampshire by getting the word out that New Hampshire is a great place to make a movie."

Live Free or Die was shot in Claremont in November 2004. The production returned to New Hampshire in July 2005 to film additional footage. Live Free or Die is released by ThinkFilm (www.thinkfilmcompany.com). More information is available at www.livefreemovie.com. The New Hampshire Film and Television Office, as part of the New Hampshire Department of Cultural Resources, works to expand business activity and employment throughout the state by acting as a liaison between the film industry and an established network of government agencies, the state's film industry workforce, and local property owners. The office is responsible for location assistance, public relations, and general production support in an effort to broaden the cultural and economic impact of film and television production in the state. For more information about film and television production in New Hampshire, call (603) 271-2220 or visit www.nh.gov/film.