COME AS YOU ARE, A Special UK Charity Film Premiere

COME AS YOU ARE to celebrate Special UK Charity Film Premiere on 5 June in association with The Royal National College for the Blind, Brain Tumour Research and (TAG) The Arthrogryposis Group

UK – Thursday 30th May, 2013: Eureka Entertainment announced today that its cinema release of Come As You Are (Hasta La Vista) - a road trip about three young disabled guys who escape home for their first lads holiday abroad, will celebrate its UK Charity Film Premiere on 5 June at the Curzon Mayfair cinema in association with The Royal National College for the Blind, Brain Tumour Research and (TAG) The Arthrogryposis Group. Come As You Are is based on a true story and the experiences of Asta Philpot – an ardent campaigner for disabled people.

The premiere will be attended by the three leading cast members Robrecht Vanden Thoren, Gilles De Schryver, Tom Audenaert, the film’s screenwriter Pierre de Clercq and a special audience of charity patrons and celebrity supporters including Gaby Roslin, Ade Adepitan (Paralympian/Presenter), Ian Reddington (Coronation Street), Dan Lobb (TV presenter/ex-Tennis player), Andy Akinwolere (ex-BBC Blue Peter), Dr Dawn (C4 presenter/Embarrassing Bodies), Pixie McKenna (Embarrassing Bodies), Des Kelly (broadcaster), Philippa Thomson (Sky News), Claire Lomas (completed 400m hand-cycle charity bike-ride/ 32nd Virgin London Marathon in 17 days using the ReWalk robotic suit), Dave Clarke (Captain of the GB/England Blind Football Team), Tony Larkin (Director of the Royal National College for the Blind), James Bevis (Won bronze at Paralympics 2012 in the R5 10m Air Rifle Prone mixed SH2), Danny Mills (ex-Leeds United football player) and Paralympic Blind Footballers – Lee Brunton, Dan English, Jon Heenan.

Come As You Are is a funny and touching comedy drama about three guys in their twenties who love wine and women but are still virgins. Under the guise of a wine tour they embark on a journey to Spain hoping to have their first sexual experience. Jozef is partially sighted, Philip is paralysed from the neck down and Lars has a brain tumour confining him to a wheelchair, but they're not going to let anything stand in their way. It is a story about love, unconditional friendship and a road movie in which the journey is more important than the destination.

Come As You Are won the Audience Awards at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival 2012, the European Film Awards 2012 and the Montreal World Film Festival 2012 as well as the Grand Prix des Amerique and a special jury mention at the Montreal World Film Festival 2012.

Ian Sadler, Sales Director for Eureka Entertainment commented “In 2012 the people of London, the country and the world marvelled at the achievements of the Paralympians. Come as You Are is an extremely moving and inspiring film and we hope that with its release we can help to continue to break down barriers and raise awareness of the challenges, rights and needs of disabled people in the UK.”

Lucy Proctor, Director of Communications at The Royal National College for the Blind said, “Come As You Are is a powerful film with important messages about independence and empowerment which are conveyed with great humour and emotional impact. We are delighted to be part of this very special occasion and hope that the film reaches the widest possible audience during its cinema release and on DVD.”

“Sadly more children and adults under 40 die of a brain tumour than any other cancer, yet brain tumour research remains woefully underfunded. We were delighted to get involved as we found Lars’ story to be a poignant portrayal of how young life can be affected by this devastating disease," Sue Farrington Smith, Director Brain Tumour Research.

The Arthrogryposis Group said, “This film shows how so many of our members live their lives: by adapting themselves to the world and leading full and active lives where disability is part of their everyday rather than the defining feature. It is so exciting to see such a positive and enjoyable portrayal of a life led in a different way - the essence of Hasta La Vista!”

Come As You Are (Hasta La Vista) will be released theatrically in key cities around the UK and Eire on 7 June 2013 and will celebrate its Charity Premiere on 5 June 2013 at the Curzon Mayfair.

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