``Running On The Sun'' Continues Its Winning Ways With a Nod From the Boston Film Festival.

Entertainment Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2000

"Running On The Sun," a captivating documentary about the grueling Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, directed by award-winning director Mel Stuart ("Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," "The Making of the President 1960" and "1968," "Bill") was chosen by The Boston Film Festival to be an official documentary selection.

Two screenings for "Running On The Sun" take place at the Loews Copley Plaza Theater, 100 Huntington Ave., on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Additional matinee screenings will be added.

The inclusion of this documentary in the Boston Film Festival comes upon the heels of its triumphant premiere earlier this month at the Hollywood Film Festival, where it played to a standing-room only crowd and won critical acclaim.

Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times described "Running On The Sun" as "bracing and affectionate;" The Hollywood Reporter praised it as so "rousing (and) well-made" that it is "easy to get hooked on the drama (and) the personalities of the competitors;" Variety said, "(Mel) Stuart and his intrepid crew have captured a searing portrait of endurance against all odds."

"Running On The Sun" will be among 50 feature films that will be screening in Boston between Sept. 8-17, 2000. In its 15-year history, The Boston Film Festival has unveiled such notable films as "Hoop Dreams," "Reservoir Dogs," "The Piano," "Swingers," "The General," "Gods and Monsters," "Shine," "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle," "Wings of the Dove," "The Thin Blue Line," "Vincent and Theo" and "Central Station."

Additionally, the festival has played host to such Hollywood luminaries as Jodie Foster, Robert Duvall, Robert Altman, Helena Bonham Carter, Al Pacino, John Boorman, Vanessa Redgrave, Kenneth Branagh, Holly Hunter, Harvey Kietel, Gena Rowlands, Denis Leary, Dianne Wiest, Kevin Bacon, Lynn Redgrave, Stanley Tucci and Susan Sarandon.

"Running On The Sun" is an inspiring, up-close-and-personal look at the runners of The 1999 Badwater 135 Ultramarathon. The annual race, held every July in Death Valley, is the most difficult foot race in the world. The race starts at Badwater, the lowest point in America at 282 feet below sea level, and concludes 135 miles away and 8,400 feet above sea level at the portals of Mt. Whitney.

What lies between these two points are 13 remarkable stories of human will and triumph, along with life-threatening extremes in heat (up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit), wind and altitude.

The runners spotlighted in the film include a double amputee, a 64-year-old driver for Lloyd's of London, a New York Times reporter and a woman who sacrificed her job and creature comforts just for the opportunity to run in the race.

No matter what the background, however, all runners possess an unmitigated zest for life, sense of humor and infectious camaraderie.

Mel Stuart in Association with Galaxy Entertainment Presents A Mel Stuart Film, "Running On The Sun," narrated by Dr. Ben Jones and featuring runners Adam Bookspan, Angelika Castaneda, Eric Clifton, Maria DeJesus, Jack Denness, Gabriel Flores, Dan Jensen, Kirk Johnson, Major Curt Maples, Chris Moon, Nick Palazzo, Ephraim Romesburg and Lisa Smith; film was produced by Mel Stuart and Leland Hammerschmidt; executive producers are Richard Houghton and Kirk Friedman; film was directed by Mel Stuart and co-produced by Chris Wiser; directors of photography were John Malvino, Kevin O'Brien, David West; Greg Byers is the film's editor; original music is by Michel Columbier.