Related Resources • Movie Reviews Elsewhere on the Web • Official "Sidewalks of New York" Website • Paramount Classics • The New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund • The Pentagon Victims Fund

Filmmaker/actor Edward Burns and Paramount Classics announced that the New York City Premiere of "Sidewalks of New York" to be held on November 15, 2001, will be a benefit event to raise funds for the New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund. In recognition of the New York Police and Fire Departments and in celebration of New York City and the film, the studio has also set a series of benefit screenings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Diego, Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver benefiting the fund, and a screening in Washington, DC, benefiting the local organization The Pentagon Victims Fund.

The New York Police & Fire Widows' & Children's Benefit Fund is a non-profit organization that assists the families of fallen New York City firefighters and police officers. "In this time of extraordinary need, the Fund is a source of great comfort to families," said Stephen J. Dannhauser, executive partner of the law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP and president of the organization. "We are asking all New Yorkers, indeed all Americans, to help the many families of these fallen heroes."

The fund was established in 1985 by co-founders Patrick Burns (uncle of filmmaker Edward Burns), the late Thomas Reilly and Daniel J. "Rusty" Staub, who serves as chairman. Ed Burns Sr., a retired New York City Police Sergeant, has been involved with fundraising for the organization since its inception. The fund has distributed over $7.3 million to date.

Paramount Classics will premiere "Sidewalks of New York" on Thursday, November 15 in Manhattan. The romantic comedy explores the relationships of six Manhattanites searching for love. "Sidewalks of New York" stars a diverse cast of acclaimed actors, including writer-director Edward Burns, Rosario Dawson, Dennis Farina, Heather Graham, David Krumholtz, Brittany Murphy and Stanley Tucci. The film follows the marital and dating lives of three men and three women who unknowingly form a tangled web of relationships. Interspersing "man on the street" interviews with scenes from the six characters' lives, the film weaves a humorous and biting commentary on the game of love - easy to start, hard to finish.

"Sidewalks of New York" is rated R for strong sexual content and some language, and will be released on November 21, 2001.

SOURCE: Paramount Classics