`Last Party 2000' Explores Political Process Under Direction of Donovan Leitch; Phillip Seymour Hoffman to Host Feature Documentary That Follows Artist Through Political Machine.

News/Politics/Entertainment Editors

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Aug. 9, 2000

OFFLINE Entertainment Group and Camouflage, in association with Palisades Pictures and Stanley Bucthal, have teamed up to produce a full-length, nonpartisan, interactive feature documentary about this year's presidential campaign and the many issues surrounding it, titled "The Last Party 2000" (LP2K).

In the spirit of the acclaimed 1992 documentary "The Last Party," LP2K will take a thought-provoking look at the political machine as seen through the eyes of host Phillip Seymour Hoffman ("Magnolia," "The Talented Mr. Ripley," "True West").

Directed by Donovan Leitch ("Gas, Food, Lodging," "Glory," "I Shot Andy Warhol"), the project exploits both traditional and new media, and defines the true model of convergence by marrying both on- and offline partnerships including an online channel, live Webcast, television broadcast, soundtrack and live event culminating in a theatrical release on Inauguration Day.

"The majority of the American voting public chooses not to vote. We want to reach out and inspire these people to participate in the whole political process and give them a voice," said Rebecca Chaiklin, who is producing the project along with Stephanie Sharis.

"Being involved with a project of this magnitude and political scope is incredibly important to me. We hope to utilize this project to educate as many Americans as possible, and tackle the issues the candidates won't address," stated Leitch.

Much like "The Last Party," which was directed by Marc Levin and followed Robert Downey Jr. during the 1992 election, LP2K will delve into issues ranging from following Hoffman at radical civil disobedience protests to the floor of the Republican and Democratic conventions, from covering both the political climate on the street to behind-the-scenes at the political main stage.

Candidates, delegates, activists, celebrities and the public at large will all participate in this story, which is destined to spark a cultural revolution as it unfolds in the months to come.

Hoffman's journey beyond the hyper-sanitized network coverage of the elections will also be found on frequently updated Webcasts, allowing viewers to address the issues in a timely manner. The nearly completed film will air the night before the election, thus taking enthusiasts on one last joyride.

On election night the LP2K crew will broadcast live with minute-by-minute coverage of events leading up to the casting of the last electoral vote. Upon completion, LP2K is slated for release to theaters nationwide.

"As producers, we were attracted to this project because of Phillip Seymour Hoffman's unique and self-effacing attitude toward the political process. He is taking such a creative hands-on approach to learning about politics, which we know will translate into an experience reflective of everyman's journey," stated Vincent Roberti on behalf of the producing team.

Additional elements of the film include a trip with Hoffman and fellow thespian Leonardo DiCaprio, where they will learn the latest techniques in peaceful protesting at a specialized training camp. Hoffman has also been cleared to trail both Al Gore and Governor George W. Bush for one day, in addition to spending a morning at the White House with President Bill Clinton.

Candid and emotionally charged interviews with celebrities including Marilyn Manson, Rosie Perez, Donald Trump, Pat Buchanan, Rosie O'Donnell, Moby, Chris Rock, Senator John Kerry, Susan Sarandon, Jerry Seinfeld, Beck and Woody Harrelson and others will also be featured in LP2K.

Under the direction of legendary music producer Nile Rodgers, popular artists will cover political tunes from the past as part of the soundtrack. VH1 is set to do a one-hour special on the making of the soundtrack to air before the election.

OFFLINE Entertainment Group is a New York-based entertainment and finance boutique producing feature films, documentaries, television programs and Internet programming.

OFFLINE has garnered numerous accolades for a variety of projects including "The Last Party" and its feature film debut "Slam," which won the Camera d'Or at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival and Grand Jury Prize at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in 1998.

Rounding out the impressive roster of projects is feature documentary "Twilight: Los Angeles," a six-hour television mini-series on the musical history of the Blues.

Palisades Pictures Entertainment Group, a joint venture between Palisades Pictures and VARII Entertainment, is a fully integrated independent entertainment company. Drawing from the assembled talent and expertise of its three chairmen, Palisades is building a diverse and profitable portfolio of entertainment properties.

Providing valuable services such as capital investment, talent representation, marketing and distribution, Palisades targets worthy projects that fall outside the radar of the major and mini studios.

Past projects include the development, production, domestic distribution and ancillary rights sales for two feature films, Sundance entry "Ten Benny" and the critically acclaimed "Restaurant." Palisades has currently optioned several scripts for development and secured first look and representation deals with emerging talent.

Camouflage is a film and new media company that integrates film production with interactive design and digital video production to create dynamic digital narratives. Comprising a team of leading filmmakers, art directors, producers and media technicians, Camouflage produces innovative films and offers its clients turnkey solutions to create refreshing user experiences in the digital domain, making a mark in the converging world of television, film and the Web.