Monday, April 03, 2006

Blackwell's Palm Pics collars Jamaican 'Dogs'

By Gregg Goldstein Tue Mar 7, 5:27 AM ET

NEW YORK (Hollywood Reporter) - Reggae music kingpin Chris Blackwell's Palm Pictures has chased down all worldwide rights to "Sun Dogs," a documentary following the Jamaican Dogsled Team, sponsored by singer
Jimmy Buffett and his company Margaritaville.

The feature follows the canine crew from their native country to the 2006 U.K. championships in Scotland. Currently in production, the film paints a portrait of the human support team that champions the dogs, from Buffett to Devon Anderson, known as Jamaica's "Dr. Dolittle." It also chronicles the trials of stray dogs whose only chance at survival is getting off the country's tough streets and onto the team.

"We saw the footage and thought it was an incredible story that has a lot of humor," Blackwell said in a statement with David Koh, the firm's head of acquisitions and production. "It's the ultimate underdog story with a fierce Jamaican attitude -- a mix of 'Cool Runnings,' 'The Bad News Bears' and 'Dr. Dolittle."'

Palm Pictures, which is financing the project, plans a theatrical release late this year, followed by a DVD and CD soundtrack release on the company's Palm label. Blackwell founded Island Records, which introduced the world to Bob Marley.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

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