Acclaimed Independent Film, "Streetballers" Slam Dunks with Major Theatrical Debut

    ST LOUIS, MO, August 14, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Today, the critically praised independent film, Streetballers announced its major theatrical debut. The winner of several notable awards including, "Best Cinematography", "Jury Award", "Audience Choice Award" and "Best Dramatic Feature" has partnered with the Landmark and Wehrenberg Theatres in Saint Louis for the film's initial national launch.

Streetballers, which is the highest-scoring film in the 17-year history of the Saint Louis International Film Festival, is an Irish-Urban drama that explores the lives of two junior college basketball athletes, Jacob Whitmore and John Hogan. The film descends into the underworld of Streetball, an unconventional form of basketball where the rules are as unpredictable as the players. With both characters struggling to find sanity amidst a world of drugs, alcoholism and racism, the two worlds collide revealing a story of hope, transformation and a challenge on the courts of the city's tough Northside - a story all too familiar with the filmmaker and basketball aficionado Matthew Scott Krentz.

"The story comes from my experiences - things I'd lived and heard about in the bars, on the courts and streets of where the movie is filmed," says Krentz. "The first time I walked onto the courts with my teammate and long time friend, I didn't know what to expect. I was the only white kid on the African-American playground. I wanted to be a part of the best games in town and this was the place."

"Actor/Director Matt Krentz displays exhausting passion, respect and honor for his characters in this St. Louis film," states Bob Weiss, Vice President of Film at Wehrenberg Theatres. "Streetballers portrays young urban adults facing the hard-struck challenges in their lives today. It's a grainy yet gorgeously done depiction of their wins and losses - on and off the court."

Streetballers scores big as the picture partners with Landmark Theatres, the largest independent movie theatre circuit and Wehrenberg Theatres, the oldest family operated theatre chain in the nation. The feature, which has beaten previous festival winners, Juno and Slumdog Millionaire debuts Friday, August 21st at the Landmark Tivoli Theatre and Wehrenberg Ronnies 20 Cine and will be opening nationally beginning in September. For more information, please visit: www.streetballersthemovie.com.

ABOUT MSK PRODUCTIONS
Founded in October 2000 and headquartered in Saint Louis, MO, Matthew Scott Krentz (MSK) Productions is a development, distribution and production company infusing the cultures through traditional and non-traditional media platforms. With a philosophy that insists on producing quality and thought provoking films, MSK Productions is filling the void for equal representation in cinema. The production powerhouse has received nominations and awards for achievements in film including "Best Action Script", "Grand Jury Award", "Audience Choice Award" and the Casting Society of America's prestigious "Artios Award".

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