Magna Entertainment Project, "The 50 Year Argument," Set For Wide Release On HBO On September 29

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Magna, a leading New York based investment firm, is pleased to announce the wide release of its latest entertainment project, "The 50 Year Argument," set to debut on HBO on September 29.

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The documentary, co-directed by Academy Award-winner Martin Scorsese and David Tedeschi, profiles the influential and provocative publication, The New York Review of Books, as a probing account of the world's most controversial news stories throughout the past five decades, led by indefatigable founding editors Robert Silvers and Barbara Epstein.

Produced by Margaret Bodde, David Tedeschi and Martin Scorsese through his Sikelia Productions, in association with Verdi Productions and Magna Entertainment, the feature doc marks the third by Scorsese to be presented on HBO. It was screened at the Toronto Film Festival earlier this month, and will be shown at the New York Film Festival on September 28, one night before its wide release.

Magna Entertainment, a division of Magna that invests in entertainment projects and businesses, financed the project.

"I had the chance to learn more about the extraordinary impact the Review has made as a harbinger of progressive ideas," explains Joshua Sason, Magna Founder and Chief Executive Officer. "The story Martin and David wanted to tell was something I was certain would be appreciated by those both versed and unversed in the venerable history of the Review."

The release of "The 50 Year Argument" caps off Magna's latest step in the entertainment space. Sason launched Magna Entertainment in 2013, growing only an initial partnership with top Israeli actress, model and singer, Sarai Givaty, into a portfolio that now includes investments in film, television, music productions, and events.

The release also marks the first collaboration from Magna Entertainment, Verdi Productions, and Martin Scorsese, who are partnering again to bring another feature film to the silver screen in 2015.

"Bleed for This," a film based on the true story of five-time world champion boxer Vinny Pazienza, is executive produced by Martin Scorsese and Magna Entertainment, with Ben Younger (Prime, Boiler Room) writing and directing. Younger will produce as well, with Bruce Cohen, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Noah Kraft, and Chad A. Verdi.

Actor Miles Teller (The Spectacular Now, Whiplash, The Fantastic Four) will anchor the cast as Vinny, joined by Aaron Eckhart (Olympus Has Fallen, The Dark Knight) as infamous trainer Kevin Rooney, and Ciaran Hinds (Game of Thrones, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby) as Pazienza's father Angelo. Production is slated to begin in Rhode Island on November 10th.

About Magna
Magna is a New York based investment firm that creates lasting relationships with portfolio companies across a range of sectors-from technology to healthcare to the arts. Magna prioritizes the open mind, converting unexpected opportunity into mutually advantageous investments to build long-term, successful partnerships.

About Magna Entertainment
Magna Entertainment is a New York based entertainment investment company that makes innovative direct investments into entertainment projects and businesses. Working across all media; including film, television, music, and events, the company forms lasting partnerships with strategic and financial support to achieve mutual artistic and commercial objectives. For more information on Magna Entertainment, please visit www.mag.na

Contact:
Magna
Brock Manheim, (347) 491-4240 
[email protected]

SOURCE Magna