"'Ray' is an amazing film on so many levels," stated Adam Fogelson, President and Eddie Egan, Co-President, Universal Pictures Marketing. "It really captures the heartbreaking and difficult story of Ray Charles and his genius. Under the sure hand of director Taylor Hackford, the film features a towering performance from Jamie Foxx and is full of Charles' unforgettable music -- the music that had so much power that it helped bring about incredible change in the industry and in people's attitudes about segregation. When Taylor showed us the film early last year, we were so moved and elated by it, that we had to be part of it. It is therefore particularly gratifying to us that it continues to garner such acclaim and recognition among moviegoers and critics, as well as the fans of Ray Charles."
Following a 15-year journey to bring Charles' story to the big screen, "Ray" opened on October 29, 2004 to strong reviews, word-of-mouth and box office numbers. The story of a man who synthesized his struggles, pain and personal darkness as effectively as he incorporated a myriad of musical styles -- Jazz, Rhythm & Blues, Rock and Roll, Gospel, Country & Western -- into his art, the musical biographical drama drew praise for its depiction of the personal highs and lows of the American icon, superlatively portrayed by Foxx. The domestic box office gross to date has exceeded $73 million and the film has also started receiving international acclaim, with a total international box office to date of $5 million in just nine territories and the film yet to open in 44 additional territories; the film is scheduled for a February 1, 2005 domestic DVD release.
The Oscar(R) nominations represent the culmination of a distinguished awards period for the film, which has been previously honored with a far-ranging number of nominations across the artistic guilds, societies and associations, including:
* Directors Guild of America (Outstanding Directorial Achievement - Taylor Hackford)
* Hollywood Foreign Press Association's Golden Globes (Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy; Best Performance by an Actor, Musical or Comedy - Jamie Foxx)
* Screen Actors Guild Awards (Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role - Jamie Foxx; Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture)
* British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Original Screenplay; Actor in a Leading Role - Jamie Foxx; The Anthony Asquith Award for Achievement in Film Music - Craig Armstrong; Sound)
* National Board of Review (One of the Year's 10 Best; Best Actor - Jamie Foxx)
* Broadcast Film Critics (Best Picture; Best Actor - Jamie Foxx; Best Director - Taylor Hackford; Best Soundtrack)
* NAACP's Image Awards (Outstanding Motion Picture; Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture - Jamie Foxx; Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture - Kerry Washington; Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - C.J. Sanders, Clifton Powell; Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture - Regina King, Sharon Warren)
* American Society of Cinematographers (Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography - Pawel Edelman)
* American Cinema Editors (Best Edited Feature Film, Comedy or Musical - Paul Hirsch)
* Motion Picture Sound Editors (Best Sound Editing in a Feature Film, Music-Musical; Best Sound Editing in a Feature Film, Dialogue and Automated Dialogue Replacement)
* Costume Designers Guild (Fantasy/Period - Sharen Davis)
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY UNIVERSAL PICTURES
