Posted on: Thursday, January 3, 2002

Sundance picks 'Laramie Project'

Associated Press

LARAMIE, Wyo. — HBO's adaptation of the play "The Laramie Project" will be the opening-night film at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah on Jan. 10.

"The Laramie Project" is an account of the reactions in Laramie to the murder of University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard.

"It's an incredible honor," director Moises Kaufman said. "Number one, because it is such a testament to the town of Laramie. ... Number two, because it means that the heads of the festival feel that it is a universal enough story. This is Laramie, but it really is Everytown, USA.

"And lastly, I am very moved about it because of Matthew. Opening the festival with the movie means that his story will now be told in a very different way."

Shepard, who was gay, died Oct. 12, 1998, after he was lured from a bar, kidnapped, tied to a fence and beaten with the butt of a gun. Two men are serving life in prison for the murder.

The movie's ensemble cast includes Christina Ricci, Laura Linney, Jeremy Davies, Steve Buscemi, Janeane Garofalo and Camryn Manheim.

The film tentatively is set to air on HBO March 23. It won't be released in theaters but will be featured in other festivals around the world, including the Berlin Film Festival. A Denver premiere is being discussed as a benefit before the HBO airing.