Following the nationwide theatrical release in the Fall of 2014, the family-friendly drama 23 Blast DVD and Digital HD will be available on January 20, 2015. The Dylan Baker Film is inspired by the remarkable true life events of Travis Freeman who played football for Corbin High School in the mid 1990’s despite being blind.
Distributed by Ocean Avenue Entertainment, Inc. in association with Toy Gun Films, the DVD features a multi-part “behind-the-scenes” Featurette with Dylan Baker, The Travis Freeman Story, descriptive audio for the visually-impaired, bloopers reel and discussion guide, among others.
Having been featured in USA Today, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, NBC’s Today and Dateline NBC, Freeman’s story was the winner of Heartland Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award for Narrative Feature.
23 Blast is written by Bram Hoover and Toni Hoover, directed/produced by Dylan Baker (Spider-Man 2 & 3, 13 Days) and produced by Gary Donatelli and Toni Hoover. Executive producers for the movie include Daniel Snyder (owner of the Washington Redskins), Misook Doolittle and Brent Ryan Green.
The film stars Stephen Lang (Avatar, Terra Nova), Alexa Vega (Spy Kids, Nashville), Mark Hapka (Day of Our Lives, Criminal Minds), Max Adler (Glee), Bram Hoover, Kim Zimmer (Guiding Light, One Life to Live), Becky Ann Baker (Men in Black, Freaks and Geeks, A Simple Plan) Timothy Busfield (Field of Dreams, thirtysomething), Dylan Baker (Anchorman 2, Spiderman 2 & 3, The Good Wife), and Fred D. Thompson (Sinister, Law & Order, Die Hard 2).
“Faith Friendly for ages 12+” Five out of five star review – The Dove Foundation
23 Blast features Freeman, a typical teenager growing up in a small town in Kentucky, who is a local hero on and off the field. In the fall of 1997, in the prime of his youth, he is unexpectedly stricken with an infection that destroys his optic nerve. He becomes blind overnight.
Travis is played by actor Mark Hapka in ’23 Blast’; Photo Courtesy of Ocean Avenue Entertainment.
Under the influence of parents who love him, a physical therapist who challenges him, a coach who inspires him, and a best friend who he cannot bear to leave behind, Freeman shows us what true bravery is by helping his Corbin High School team advance to the state playoffs.
23 Blast follows Freeman and Jerry Baker, his closest friend, from the time they meet on the football field as kids through high school. Baker’s attraction to the dark side of teenage temptations, beer and drugs, threatens to pull the friends apart. It is only on the football field where they truly connect.
“Inspiring and moving. A touching film for the whole family.” – Nell Minow
Depicting a story of hope triumphing over despair, of courage and faith overcoming fear and of victory prevailing over adversity, 23 Blast is designed to encourage and uplift audiences.
Travis (Mark Hapka) and Jerry (Bram Hoover) share a high-five; Photo Courtesy of Ocean Avenue Entertainment.
“This movie is so much bigger than me,” says Freeman. “It represents the gift of a community coming together to help its own, and how faith manifests itself in many ways in the face of a tragedy; such as in hope, love, and personal courage.”
“A triumph! Exhilarating, wise and genuinely heartfelt! It will make you stand up and cheer! Perfect entertainment for the whole family!” – Avi Offer, The NYC Movie Guru
23 Blast was shot entirely on location in Corbin, Ky. “We always said we wanted Corbin to be a character in it and you can’t miss Corbin in this film,” Baker said. “It’s a town where a young boy went through such an awful, awful thing and the town comes off as somewhere they give the encouragement and support where a boy can succeed and go forward.”
“Stepping behind the camera, versatile actor Dylan Baker makes an assured directorial debut, drawing spirited performances from his seasoned cast.” – Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter
Freeman has been busy since his football days. He earned a Ph.D. and is currently an instructor of religion at the University of the Cumberlands in nearby Williamsburg, Ky.
For the latest news and updates regarding 23 Blast, please visit: www.23blast.com.
Leave a Reply