DAY ONE  November 3, 2005
WALK THE LINE Opening Night Gala Kicks Off AFI FEST 2005
by Brent Simon
AFI FEST 2005 presented by Audi kick-starts its 11-day run with an Opening Night Gala presentation of Twentieth Century Fox's WALK THE LINE. Directed by James Mangold (HEAVY; COPLAND; GIRL, INTERRUPTED), the film explores the early years of rocker Johnny Cash, and stars Joaquin Phoenix as the legendary "Man in Black" and Reese Witherspoon as his wife and fellow musician, June Carter Cash.
Developed over seven years with the cooperation of the couple, WALK THE LINE charts the true story of Cash's meteoric rise to fame, from a tiny studio in Memphis, Tennessee, to his historic concert at Folsom Prison. The film also focuses on one of rock and roll's greatest love stories--Cash's passionate relationship with Carter--and how this love saved him from self-destruction. The film is produced by Cathy Konrad and James Keach, based on a script co-written by Mangold and AFI Conservatory alumnus/faculty member Gill Dennis.
"WALK THE LINE cast a spell on us. It's a thrill to kick off the Festival with this special film," says Nancy Collet, AFI FEST 2005's Director of Programming.
"We're honored to be opening AFI FEST 2005 with WALK THE LINE," said Elizabeth Gabler, President of Fox 2000 Pictures. "AFI has long been a leader in recognizing outstanding films, and we're honored to bring this remarkable story of Johnny Cash and his wife, June Carter Cash, to this year's Festival."
WALK THE LINE will open the Festival this evening, Thursday, November 3, at ArcLight Hollywood's Cinerama Dome--an Opening Night Gala presented by Audi of America with thanks to the Hollywood Sign Trust. The film's stars and director will be in attendance in advance of the film's national roll-out on November 18.
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