Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation to Honor THE INTOUCHABLES at 'A Magical Evening' Gala

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Jul 30, 2012, 02:54 ET

THE INTOUCHABLES is the First Film Ever to Be Honored by the Organization

- Harvey Weinstein to Accept Dana Reeve HOPE Award on Behalf of The Weinstein Company and Film Directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache at Annual Star-Studded Fundraising Gala in New York City on November 28, 2012 -

SHORT HILLS, N.J., July 30, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the nation's leading nonprofit providing care to those living with paralysis and advancing research into treatments and cures for spinal cord injury, will honor international box office record breaking film THE INTOUCHABLES at its annual star-studded A Magical Evening fundraising gala on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The Weinstein Company Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein will accept the Dana Reeve HOPE Award at the gala reception on behalf of TWC and the film's directors Eric Toledano and Olivier Nakache.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100511/REEVELOGO)

Peter T. Wilderotter, president and CEO of the Reeve Foundation, stated, "the Dana Reeve HOPE Award is presented to a person or organization that has shown amazing grace, strength and fortitude. The recipient of this award is dedicated to continuing the hope that Dana Reeve brought to the world and to the millions of people living with paralysis. It is only fitting that we honor The Intouchables for touching audiences worldwide and reminding us of the commonalities shared between all of us, no matter the circumstances."

Having received worldwide critical acclaim and international box office success, THE INTOUCHABLES is an irreverent, uplifting comedy about friendship, trust and human possibility that has warmed the hearts of millions. Based on a true story of friendship between a millionaire (Francois Cluzet of TELL NO ONE) living with paralysis due to a spinal cord injury and his street smart ex-con caretaker (breakout star Omar Sy), THE INTOUCHABLES depicts an unlikely camaraderie rooted in honesty and humor between two individuals who, on the surface, would seem to have nothing in common.

Since its release, THE INTOUCHABLES has shattered box-office records worldwide to become the third highest grossing film of all time in France, the highest grossing French film in Germany ever, and has held the #1 spot in many countries around the world grossing over $356 million worldwide and counting. The film is currently playing in theaters throughout the U.S. and has won multiple awards at film festivals around the country including: the ColCoa Film Festival's Audience Award and Critics Special Prize; the Florida Film Festival's Audience Award for Best International Feature; the Wisconsin Film Festival's Audience Award for Best Narrative Film; and the Nashville Film Festival's Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.

"On behalf of Eric and Olivier and TWC, I would like to express how humbled we are to be recognized by one of the most inspirational and forward thinking organizations of our time," said Weinstein. "Christopher and Dana Reeve have bettered the lives of millions, and the fact that this film is the first ever to be honored by them shows us how the film's true story touches the hearts of so many like it did ours."

Wilderotter added, "We have always honored individuals and corporations that embody our mission to further the quality of life for those living with paralysis. After seeing this extraordinary film, we felt compelled to honor all of the individuals who helped bring this film and its inspirational story to light. This film captures the Foundation's mission of 'Today's Care, Tomorrow's Cure' and we are passionate about sharing its empowering message with our community."

This year's gala will also honor longtime Foundation supporter and current board member Paul Daversa and Daversa Partners, Inc. with the Christopher Reeve Spirit of Courage Award and feature a special live performance by recording artists Jordin Sparks and Jason Derulo.

Proceeds from A Magical Evening will benefit the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the benefit office at (212) 763-8594 or email [email protected].

ABOUT THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY
The Weinstein Company (TWC) is a multimedia production and distribution company launched in October 2005 by Bob and Harvey Weinstein, the brothers who founded Miramax Films in 1979. TWC also encompasses Dimension Films, the genre label founded in 1993 by Bob Weinstein, which has released such popular franchises as SCREAM, SPY KIDS and SCARY MOVIE. Together TWC and Dimension Films have released a broad range of mainstream, genre and specialty films that have been commercial and critical successes. TWC releases took home eight 2012 Academy Awards®, the most wins in the studio's history. The tally included Best Picture for Michel Hazanavicius's THE ARTIST and Best Documentary Feature for TJ Martin and Dan Lindsay's UNDEFEATED. THE ARTIST brought TWC its second consecutive Best Picture statuette following the 2011 win for Tom Hooper's THE KING'S SPEECH.

Since 2005, TWC and Dimension Films have released such films as GRINDHOUSE; I'M NOT THERE; THE GREAT DEBATERS; VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA; THE READER; THE ROAD; HALLOWEEN; THE PAT TILLMAN STORY; PIRANHA 3D; INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS; A SINGLE MAN; BLUE VALENTINE; THE COMPANY MEN; MIRAL; SCRE4M; SUBMARINE; DIRTY GIRL; APOLLO 18; OUR IDIOT BROTHER; I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT; SARAH'S KEY; SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD IN 4D; MY WEEK WITH MARILYN; THE IRON LADY; W.E.; CORIOLANUS; UNDEFEATED; THE ARTIST; and BULLY. Currently in release are EASY MONEY and THE INTOUCHABLES. Upcoming releases include LAWLESS; KILLING THEM SOFTLY; THE MASTER; and SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. Currently in production is DJANGO UNCHAINED.

TWC is also active in television production, led by former Miramax Films President of Production and current President of Television Meryl Poster, with credits including the Emmy® nominated and Peabody Award winning reality series Project Runway, spin-off series Project Accessory and Project Runway All Stars, the VH1 reality series Mob Wives, and the critically acclaimed HBO comedy/crime series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency which also received a Peabody Award. The company is currently in pre-production on the martial-arts epic Marco Polo for Starz as well as production on the second season of Mob Wives and the newest installment in the series' franchise Mob Wives Chicago. TWC additionally has 17 series in different stages of development, including The Nanny Diaries, being adapted for ABC by Amy Sherman Palladino (Gilmore Girls).

ABOUT THE CHRISTOPHER & DANA REEVE FOUNDATION
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research, and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. For more information or to make a donation to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, please call (800) 225-0292 or visit http://www.ChristopherReeve.org.

SOURCE Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation