Stirring Documentary BRIDEGROOM To Be Available For All Netflix Members In Late October

Netflix Acquires Award-Winning Documentary About Love, Tragedy and the Pursuit of Equality

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Oct 03, 2013, 07:00 ET

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Oct. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- BRIDEGROOM tells the emotional journey of Shane and Tom, two young men in a loving and committed relationship that was cut short by a tragic accident. Starting on October 27, this heartbreaking yet inspirational documentary from producer Shane Bitney Crone and writer/director Linda Bloodworth-Thomason will be available for all Netflix members to watch instantly.

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The story of what happened after the passing of Tom – of how people without the legal protections of marriage can find themselves completely ostracized – is poignant, enraging and opens a window onto the issue of marriage equality and human rights like no speech or lecture ever will.

Said Bloodworth-Thomason of the film, "Tom and Shane were each other's first and only loves. They are devoted, hardworking, unassuming and funny. Each is from a small town and each, in his own way, is imbued with the best kind of small town values. They are, in fact, the sort of young people who hold within themselves the promise of America. And that is why I want to bring to life, on film, this real life Romeo and Romeo—so that all who condemn them, might come face to face with exactly what it is they are opposing."

Crone also added "BRIDEGROOM is not about revenge or politics. It is a film about love, forgiveness, and about finding the courage to be who you are when the world says you shouldn't. This is my fairy tale, and Tom is, and always will be, my happy ending."

"This is really, on one level, a wonderful, sad, heartbreaking yet exhilarating and life affirming story, and on another level, it's a story about our nation's struggle to make one more step in forming a more perfect union, for which marriage is both the symbol and substance," said Former President Bill Clinton of the film.

BRIDEGROOM won the Audience Awards for Best Documentary at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, the 2013 Toronto Inside Out Festival and the 2013 Little Rock Film Festival as well as Outstanding Documentary Feature at the 2013 Outfest in LA.

ABOUT NETFLIX

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ABOUT SHANE BITNEY CRONE

Shane Bitney Crone is an activist, writer and filmmaker. From a young age Shane has channeled his energy to support good causes, always inspiring others with his talent and actions. Following the death of his partner Tom Bridegroom in 2011, Shane created a YouTube video to highlight the impact of marriage inequality. Since its release on May 6, 2012, the video, titled "It Could Happen to You," has earned over four million views, and was listed as one of GLAAD's "Most Inspiring Videos that Helped Push Equality Forward in 2012." Along with filmmaker Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, creator of Designing Women and director/producer of the critically acclaimed The Man from Hope, Shane produced a full-length documentary version of his YouTube video, called BRIDEGROOM: A Love Story. Unequaled. The film has earned numerous accolades, including the audience awards at the TriBeCa Film Festival and Outfest Los Angeles Film Festival.

SOURCE Netflix