Released on = January 24, 2007, 1:31 pm

Press Release Author = Symphony Studios, 10600 Culver Blvd, Culver City CA 90232,
info@theprietessmovie.com, http://www.thepriestessmovie.com/

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = ArmenFilm Studios and Symphony Studios proudly present the
U.S. premiere of the film \"The Priestess\" by internationally acclaimed Armenian
director, Vigen Chaldranian at Grauman\'s Chinese Theatre, January 25, 2007 at
7:00pm. Set in Armenia, in present day Yerevan, with flashbacks to the ancient past,
this masterpiece is attracting interest beyond the patriotic and supportive Armenian
community, to an audience fascinated with epic film making. The film also echos a
strong feminine message, as this story about Armenian history is told from a woman\'s
perspective and stars Rouzan Vit Mesropyan (\"Vodka Lemon\") as the Priestess.
Additional producers include Hollywood born producer Mel Metcalfe III and award
winning designer Sahak Ekshian.

Symphony Studios LLC.
10600 Culver Blvd
Culver City CA 90232
310.559.9997
info@theprietessmovie.com
http://www.thepriestessmovie.com/

Press Release Body = Hollywood, California, January 24, 2007 -- ArmenFilm Studios
and Symphony Studios proudly present the U.S. premiere of the film \"The Priestess\"
at Grauman\'s Chinese Theatre, January 25, 2007 at 7:00pm. \"The Priestess\" is the
sum of a four year journey, conceived by internationally acclaimed Armenian
director, Vigen Chaldranian. Chaldranian brought the film to the United States to
join forces with Hollywood born producer Mel Metcalfe III, award winning designer
Sahak Ekshian and fellow Armenians Garen Vartanyan and Jovina Shahbazian, to
complete the producing team. This international masterpiece was shot on 35mm in
Armenia over fourteen months and stars Rouzan Vit Mesropyan (\"Vodka Lemon\") as the
Priestess, with Chaldranian among a cast of hundreds of Armenian actors.

\"The Priestess,\" written by Chaldranian and renown Armenian screenwriter Anahit
Aghasaryan, draws inspiration from \"an anonymous woman\" recorded in the mysterious
Fourth Century manuscript \'The History\" by Armenian historian Agathangelos. This
unknown, yet consequential woman, becomes the keystone to Armenia\'s history as the
first nation to accept Christianity. Chaldranian uses this engaging plot to create
a film about Armenia\'s history that everyone can relate to. Chaldranian adds, \"The
Priestess is not an historical film. It is a film about history. As such, history
is an interlude in between the past and the present in which spirits stir even
today.\"

The film is set in Armenia, in present day Yerevan, with flashbacks to the ancient
past, circa 301 AD, a time when pagan gods and priestesses ruled the nation.
Cinematic framing of the Armenian countryside nestled in front of a biblically
famous Mount Ararat backdrop, creates a spectacular canvas to unfold this
thought-provoking account, with memorable performances by Mesropyan and Chaldranian.
The film is in Armenian accompanied by English subtitles, runs 109 minutes in
length, with original music composed by Ara Gevorkian and Nathan Lanier.

\"The Priestess\" Synopsis -- \"One woman\'s destiny will change a nation forever.
After a near fatal accident in present day Armenia, a woman suffering with amnesia
begins to remember a life that occurred many centuries ago. The childhood spent in
an enchanted solitude. The father she adores. The husband she worships. The son she
would sacrifice everything for.And the fate that would shape the history of her
nation.\"

Chaldranian\'s apparent cultural-spiritual threads, translate to more than pure
parable for the religious-hearted Armenian community. \"The Priestess\" is imperative
viewing for anyone fascinated with epic film making and great story-telling.
Chaldranian\'s previous film, the award winning \"Symphony of Silence\" (2001), paved
history as the first Armenian film to qualify for consideration as Best Foreign
Language Film by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Other filmography
credits include \"Kyrie Eleison,\" \"The Voice in the Wilderness\" and \"Its History,
Meaning and Consecration,\" with Chaldranian\'s fifteenth and latest, \"The Priestess\"
rapidly making history of it\'s own.

\"The Priestess\" is the first Armenian-American film shot in Armenia, by an Armenian
director, to undergo this crème de la crème post-production royal treatment to
deliver Chaldranian\'s tour de force. Hollywood post-production vanguards FotoKem,
Technicolor, Dolby, T&T Effects, Level 3 and Magic, engaged their brilliance, under
the guidance of post-production supervisor, Matt Danciger - Switch Studios, to
complete a thrift four month schedule in ready for the feature\'s debut at the iconic
Grauman\'s Chinese Theatre.

Interest in attending the Grauman\'s screening has exceeded the producers\'
expectations, creating momentum beyond the patriotic and supportive community of
Glendale (a.k.a \"Little Armenia\"). Additional screenings have been secured at The
Alex Theatre, Glendale and The Castro Theatre, San Francisco, with interest from New
York, Massachusetts and Toronto.

Symphony Studios producing partners include Mel Metcalfe III, Sahak Ekshian, Vigen
Chaldranian and executive producers Garen Vartanyan and Jovina Shahbazian. As an
award-winning third generation filmmaker, Mel Metcalfe understands the importance of
balance between the director\'s needs and budget. Metcalfe said \"Working on The
Priestess was an amazing experience. I could appreciate Vigen\'s artistic vision.
The challenge was making it happen, and we did.\" Fellow Symphony producer and
industry veteran Sahak Ekshian, himself a recipient of several Key Art awards, who
has been friends and film making partners with Chaldranian for fifteen years.
Ekshian says of Chaldranian, \"Working with Vigen, is knowing he is a perfectionist.
This film is perfect.\"

For tickets call 818.265.0506. For more film, screening and ticket information and
to view the trailer, please visit the official \"The Priestess\" Movie website:

http://www.thepriestessmovie.com/

Symphony Studios LLC.
10600 Culver Blvd
Culver City CA 90232
310.559.9997
info@theprietessmovie.com

###

Web Site = http://www.thepriestessmovie.com/

Contact Details = Symphony Studios LLC.
10600 Culver Blvd
Culver City CA 90232
310.559.9997 ph/fx
info@theprietessmovie.com
http://www.thepriestessmovie.com/