XLrator Media Acquires Military Thriller ALLEGIANCE

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XLrator Media has acquired all domestic rights to the military thriller ALLEGIANCE, starring Shad "Bow Wow" Moss (Madea's Big Happy Family, Lottery Ticket), Seth Gabel (Fox's Fringe), Aidan Quinn (Unknown), Malik Yoba (Why Did I Get Married Too?) and Pablo Schreiber (HBO's The Wire). ALLEGIANCE marks the directorial debut of writer-director Michael Connors, a former Army Officer. The film will be released in theaters in January 2013. The deal was announced today by XLrator Media CEO Barry Gordon.

"ALLEGIANCE is a timely, realistic and suspenseful film that captures today's military in all its moral complexity. There are no stock heroes and villains. All the characters act on what they believe to be right, and the film explores what happens when those beliefs come into conflict," said Gordon. "It generates strong emotions and will get people talking."

After being granted a questionable transfer that will keep him stateside as his National Guard unit deploys for Iraq, Lieutenant Danny Sefton (Gabel) becomes embroiled in a last-minute AWOL attempt by one of his soldiers (Bow Wow) on the eve of deployment - forcing Sefton to choose between his loyalties to the fleeing soldier, his unit and his family.

"The film is an attempt to shed light on the personal and deeply conflicted decisions soldiers make when it comes time to put their life on the line for their country," said Connors. "I want to go beyond the simple black-and-white issues of patriotism and show the complex motivations and inner struggles that affect our soldiers."

ALLEGIANCE, which is based on the director's own personal experiences while serving in the military, premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival. The film pays tribute to the 21 million veterans living in the United States today. It was written, directed, produced and financed almost entirely by veterans. Former Navy SEALS and Army Green Berets were enlisted to train the actors and extras.

Daryl Freimark and Sean Mullin produced and John Patrick Boyle executive produced the film. The deal was negotiated by Gordon and Nate Bolotin of XYZ Films for the filmmakers.