come as you arts press release: "The Vigil" Released Across Canada Vancouver, BC (September 5, 2000): THE VIGIL, an independent feature film from British Columbia, was released nationwide today through Rogers Video. Set in 1994, the film is about a group of young people drawn together by their love of music who drive from Lethbridge, Alberta to Seattle for Kurt Cobain's vigil after his suicide. THE VIGIL had its world premiere at the Vancouver International Film Festival and since then has received critical and audience acclaim at festivals from Victoria to Calcutta. "I had so many friends who, like me, were affected by what happened," says writer and director Justin MacGregor, "I wanted to tell a story about how music affects people, how much it matters to us. I always believed the film had to be about the young people on the journey and who they were. That was very important to me." THE VIGIL is now available at Rogers Video under the First Rites banner, a unique profit-sharing program that highlights first time films and that uses part of the rental revenues to support aspiring Canadian filmmakers. "There were many challenges to overcome to reach this point," says the film's producer, Claire Querée. "It's been five years since the first draft and three since principal photography. Fortunately, we had the support of an excellent cast and crew, as well as the British Columbia Arts Council. It is only fitting that a portion of the rentals from The Vigil will return to the independent filmmaking community." Director Justin MacGregor, who recently made the award-winning short film "The Big Screen" as part of Reel Fast 2000, is delighted that people will be able to see to result of everyone's hard work: "When I think of everything we went through making this film and all of the talented people that collaborated along the way, I'm still overwhelmed." THE VIGIL was produced in association with the Cineworks Independent Filmmakers Society and with the support of the British Columbia Arts Council.