Fans eagerly anticipating the adaptation of Nicholas Sparks’ best-selling novel, Safe Haven, can get a sneak peek of the film sooner than they thought.
The Athena Grand, in association with NCM Fathom and Relativity Media, will present “A Night with Nicholas Sparks’ Safe Haven: Filmmakers, Author and Stars Bring Book to Life.”
The film tells the story of Katie Feldman (Julianne Hough), a mysterious young woman who flees to a small North Carolina town in an attempt to forget her troubled past. In this town, she starts a relationship with widower and single father Alex Wheatley (Josh Duhamel), but as dark secrets from Katie’s past come back to haunt her, she must decide what lies between sacrifice and love.
In addition to the sneak preview, audience members will have the opportunity to view commentary from the book’s author. The discussion, facilitated by Maria Menounos, a host on TV’s Extras, will also feature appearances by the film’s stars, Hough and Duhamel; director Lasse Hallström; and producers Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey.
“Relativity has never done this sort of special showing before,” said Mercedes Wilson, local publicist for Relativity Media and former Bobcat. “(Our) main goal is to get Nicholas Sparks fans excited about the film and give them a special inside look.”
In addition to special interviews, audience members will also have a chance to see behind-the-scenes footage and exclusive clips from the film.
“When I decided to offer this, I thought there would be enough fans of Nicholas Sparks to make it worthwhile,” said Rick Frame, manger of the Athena Grand. “This is a live event with (Sparks) and the actors in the film. I like the live events because we don’t get this kind of access otherwise.”
While Frame notes that the cinema screened a discussion last year with producer/actor/writer Kevin Smith, this will be the first time the Athena Grand has shown something like this to promote a film.
“I do feel this is a unique way to promote the film, and if this event is profitable, we will see many more (like it),” Frame said.
Tickets are on sale now at the Athena Grand and NCM Fathom websites. Safe Haven will be released on Feb. 14.
“Fans will get a look at how these best-sellers are transformed into blockbusters before Safe Haven opens in February with this special event,” said Shelly Maxwell, executive vice president of NCM Fathom Events.
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