PRESS RELEASE

August 5, 1999 (Los Angeles): Unpalatable Pictures is pleased to announce the launch of their animation department with the release of The Diary of Anne Frank: The Animated Movie.

Said Unpalatable Pictures President Marvin Shetzler, "I've been wanting to do an animated version of this book for a while, but it never seemed quite prudent. But I really think the time has come. Without a doubt, this was the movie with which we wanted to launch our animation department.

"Movies like [Disney's] Pocahontas and [Dreamworks'] Prince of Egypt really paved the way for us. Pocahontas showed the world that the extermination of a race could be portrayed in a lighthearted, humorous way. Price of Egypt took that one step further, taking a Biblical subject and giving it the old 'toon treatment - complete with comical evil priests!

"The turning point, though – I mean, when we really started to feel like this project could be a 'go,' was with Benigni's Life is Beautiful. Finally, here was a movie that let us laugh at the holocaust. I turned to Mike [Orphiz, acting head of Unpalatable Animation] during that movie and said, 'Let's do this thing.' 'What thing?' Mike said. I said, 'This movie,' Mike said, 'What, this movie?' 'No,' I said, 'this other movie,' 'What movie?' Mike said. I said, 'This Anne Frank movie.' Mike said, 'Oh.' That was all that needed to be said."

The movie takes place in World War II Amsterdam, where Anne and her family go into hiding to escape Nazi persecution. While in her "Secret Annex," Anne meets Peter, a young boy for whom she begins to have strong feelings. She also meets the lovable Klaus Kockroach, Wilhelm von Ratt, and, of course, her best friend in the world – her diary. But the fun is just beginning!

Featuring the voices of Bob Newhart as Otto Frank, Dame Judi Dench as Mrs. Frank, Matt Damon as Peter, Chris Rock as Klaus Kockroach, Ian McKellen as Wilhelm von Ratt, Tom Hanks as The Diary, with Schindler List's Liam Neeson as Baron Güthart the nice Nazi, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar as Anne Frank, the movie will be released Christmas 2000, with tie-in ad campaigns and merchandizing from McDonalds, Pepsi, and Volkswagen.

The website, at www.animatedfrank.com, includes previews, downloadable wallpaper, and games, and is already up and running!

Packed with laughter, excitement, and clumsy evil Nazis, The Diary of Anne Frank: The Animated Movie promises to be great fun for all ages!


	*PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE * PRESS RELEASE * PRESS RELEASE `FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE` UNPALATABLE PICTURES launches animation department with THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK August 5, 1999 (Los Angeles):** Unpalatable Pictures is pleased to announce the launch of their animation department with the release of `The Diary of Anne Frank: The Animated Movie.` Said Unpalatable Pictures President Marvin Shetzler, "I've been wanting to do an animated version of this book for a while, but it never seemed quite prudent. But I really think the time has come. Without a doubt, this was the movie with which we wanted to launch our animation department. "Movies like [Disney's] Pocahontas and [Dreamworks'] Prince of Egypt really paved the way for us. Pocahontas showed the world that the extermination of a race could be portrayed in a lighthearted, humorous way. Price of Egypt took that one step further, taking a Biblical subject and giving it the old 'toon treatment - complete with comical evil priests! "The turning point, though – I mean, when we really started to feel like this project could be a 'go,' was with Benigni's Life is Beautiful. Finally, here was a movie that let us laugh at the holocaust. I turned to Mike [Orphiz, acting head of Unpalatable Animation] during that movie and said, 'Let's do this thing.' 'What thing?' Mike said. I said, 'This movie,' Mike said, 'What, this movie?' 'No,' I said, 'this other movie,' 'What movie?' Mike said. I said, 'This Anne Frank movie.' Mike said, 'Oh.' That was all that needed to be said." The movie takes place in World War II Amsterdam, where Anne and her family go into hiding to escape Nazi persecution. While in her "Secret Annex," Anne meets Peter, a young boy for whom she begins to have strong feelings. She also meets the lovable Klaus Kockroach, Wilhelm von Ratt, and, of course, her best friend in the world – her diary. But the fun is just beginning! Featuring the voices of Bob Newhart as Otto Frank, Dame Judi Dench as Mrs. Frank, Matt Damon as Peter, Chris Rock as Klaus Kockroach, Ian McKellen as Wilhelm von Ratt, Tom Hanks as The Diary, with Schindler List's Liam Neeson as Baron Güthart the nice Nazi, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Sarah Michelle Gellar as Anne Frank, the movie will be released Christmas 2000, with tie-in ad campaigns and merchandizing from McDonalds, Pepsi, and Volkswagen. The website, at www.animatedfrank.com, includes previews, downloadable wallpaper, and games, and is already up and running! Packed with laughter, excitement, and clumsy evil Nazis, `The Diary of Anne Frank: The Animated Movie` promises to be great fun for all ages! *PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE * PRESS RELEASE * PRESS RELEASE**