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OREM, UTAH - TNI, the TAHITIAN NONI® Juice Company, is pleased to announce that it will sponsor “The Legend of Johnny Lingo,” a major motion picture that is slated to be released late Summer 2003 (Labor Day weekend). The story, with its ties to the South Pacific, is a natural for TNI.

The movie will play a pivotal role in telling the TNI story, building brand identity and in promoting TAHITIAN NONI™ products. We feel that this is an opportunity that simply cannot be passed by and are excited about the prospects.

TNI is especially happy to be a part of this production and the team of renowned professionals that have been assembled for its creation.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

The Molen/Garbett Production of “The Legend of Johnny Lingo” is set to begin principal photography on July 8, 2002 in Auckland, New Zealand and will then move to the island of Aitutaki in the Cook Islands in the South Pacific. Academy Award-winning producer Jerry Molen (“Schindler’s List”) along with veteran producer John Garbett brought in the critically acclaimed Polynesian screenwriter Riwia Brown (“Once We Were Warriors”) to write the script. The film will be the feature film debut for editor Steve Ramirez. Casting is currently underway in New Zealand where the filmmakers are drawing from a pool of experienced Polynesian actors. Brad Pelo will serve as executive producer.

THE STORY

“The Legend of Johnny Lingo” is adapted from a short story written by the late novelist Patricia McGerr and was first published in the mid-1960s. It has been translated into dozens of languages and reprinted in hundreds of publications that have reached millions of people the world over. As told by a father to his young son, “The Legend of Johnny Lingo” is a captivatingly romantic tale set amongst the Polynesian cultures of the South Pacific. At the same time the story’s themes about love and self-image resonate with universal appeal.

Johnny Lingo, or Tama as he was called as a child, was orphaned as a baby. He was passed from household to household as families grew tired of him. He was blamed for a wide variety of curses that befell the community and soon found himself living at the least desirable home on this small South Seas island. It was there he came to know Mahana and her father who blamed his daughter for his wife’s death in childbirth. Fellow islanders have come to see Mahana through her father’s eyes - as troublesome and undesirable. However, Tama and Mahana, the two outcasts, form a strong bond. When Tama finds the wherewithal to leave the island on a canoe he has built, he promises to return one day for Mahana.

Eight years later, Johnny Lingo has the means to return for Mahana. He has learned a lot about life and is determined to win Mahana’s heart. But he has devised a plan that enables him to also make a long-overdue point with those who for so many years treated both him and Mahana with such malice. Johnny’s point? That real beauty comes from within. Most importantly however, Johnny has found a way to honor Mahana and, in fact, to honor love itself.

To find out how you can get this movie for FREE:   Click Here!

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS…

Producer JERRY MOLEN won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1993 for “Schindler’s List.” He also produced Steven Spielberg’s films “The Lost World: Jurassic Park,” “Jurassic Park,” “Hook,” and most recently, “Minority Report.” As an Executive Producer for Amblin Entertainment, he was involved with such hits as “Twister,” “Casper,” “Little Rascals,” and “The Flintstones,” among others. Molen also worked as a Unit Production Manager on “The Color Purple,” “A Soldier’s Story,” “ Tootsie,” “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and “Days of Thunder.”

After an 18-month, post-graduate internship at the White House, producer JOHN GARBETT was hired by ABC Television as a financial analyst in its business division. He soon joined Fox Television moving from finance into production management. In 1984, he was hired by the Walt Disney Company as a television production executive and later held the same position in the feature film division. As a feature film production executive, he oversaw “3 Men and a Little Lady,” “Father of the Bride” and “Alive,” among other Touchstone projects. He has since acted as a development producer and production consultant for Amblin Entertainment, Warner Bros., Universal Studios and independent production companies on a number of feature film projects including “The Frighteners,” “Pet People,” “The Matrix” and “Shrek.”

Director STEVEN RAMIREZ makes his directorial debut with “The Legend of Johnny Lingo.” As a feature film editor he has worked on such pictures as “Driving Miss Daisy,” “Being There,” “Cocoon - The Return,” “Big Trouble in Little China,” “Dolores Claiborne,” “Pacific Heights” and “Devil’s Advocate.” Ramirez is following in the footsteps of other feature film editors - such as Richard Donner and James Cameron -- who have gone on to become successful film directors.

Screenwriter RIWIA BROWN is one of Polynesia’s most accomplished screenwriters and playwrights. In 1994, she wrote the screenplay for “Once We Were Warriors.” This New Zealand-made movie went onto become the most successful film about the Polynesian people to date. Brown won worldwide accolades for helping to create a window into the lives of a Maori family in contemporary New Zealand. Brown has been involved with Polynesian (Maori) theatre as an actor in Wellington, NZ, since the early 1980’s. In 1988, Brown’s first play, Roimata, was selected for inclusion in a five-part Maori drama series, which she adapted and directed for television. She has since written and directed numerous plays - her own and those written by others.

STAY TUNED, THERE’S MORE TO COME

“The Legend of Johnny Lingo” promises to be a major promotional event for TNI, Inc. Stay tuned for announcements that will be made over the next several months regarding how TNI distributors will benefit from programs that will be implemented with the production and release of “The Legend of Johnny Lingo.”

Again, we at TNI are extremely excited to be a major partner in this project and look forward to the impact that the movie will have with audiences everywhere. We feel the exposure to be gained through our participation will boost the TAHITIAN NONI™ brand for years to come.

 

Q: When will the film be released?
A: August 29th 2003 in selected Cities (Salt Lake, Atlanta, Dallas & Las Vegas)

Q: Where can I see it?
A: Distribution plans have not yet taken shape. The film’s producers expect initial release to involve 300 theaters, primarily in the Intermountain West.

Q: But what if I live in Florida, or elsewhere in the East. Am I out of luck?
A: No, we don’t think so. TNI hopes to arrange special screenings for distributors and guests in as many cities as possible. TNI will provide this information as soon as possible.

Q: What’s the film about?
A: “The Legend of Johnny Lingo” is adapted from a short story written by the late novelist Patricia McGerr and was first published in the mid-1960s. It has been translated into dozens of languages and reprinted in hundreds of publications that have reached millions of people the world over. As told by a father to his young son, “The Legend of Johnny Lingo” is a captivatingly romantic tale set amongst the Polynesian cultures of the South Pacific. At the same time, the story’s themes about love and self-image resonate with universal appeal.

Q: So why is TNI involved?
A: Given the film’s setting in the South Pacific, TNI has a special opportunity to explain the history of noni usage and its inherent role in South Pacific cultures. This classic motion picture will introduce millions to Noni, thereby accessing more markets!

Q: How will TNI benefit from the film?
A: TNI is examining dozens of ways to promote the film and the company throughout the country. Primary among these ideas are juice sampling in theaters showing “The Legend of Johnny Lingo,” a special Johnny Lingo-only Tahiti Dream drawing, and possible movie tie-ins with regional restaurant chains.

Q: Who’s in the movie?
A: Film goers will recognize Temuera Morrison and Daniel Logan, the actors who portrayed Jango and Boba Fett, respectively, in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. But on the whole, the film will feature Polynesian actors unknown to most Americans.

Q: How long did filming take?
A: About 30 days, involving the combined efforts of 117 crew, 38 cast members, and almost 100 extras. And this does not include pre- and postproduction personnel.