Maryland Film Festival Blog

The Maryland Film Festival and the Baltimore  Ravens are proud to announce the

US PREMIERE OF

THE BAND THAT WOULDN’T DIE

hosted by Academy Award winning director

Barry Levinson

OUTDOOR SCREENING

M&T BANK STADIUM    Tuesday, October 6

Sponsored by the Baltimore Ravens, ESPN, and M&T Bank

Straight from its World Premiere at the Toronto Film Festival

With a special live concert in full uniform by

Baltimore’s Marching Ravens

In the great tradition of extraordinary film premieres being held in unusual settings, the new film made by Academy Award winning director, and Baltimore native Barry Levinson,  THE BAND THAT WOULDN’T DIE, will have its US Premiere in M&T Bank Stadium on Tuesday, October 6. Barry Levinson will host the event, and Baltimore’s Marching Ravens will perform.

The World Premiere was at the recent Toronto International Film Festival, and the 53 minute film will air on ESPN starting October 13, as part of ESPN Films’ “30 for 30” documentary project.

“Although we have had a longstanding (and maybe surprising to some) relation with the Ravens- various coaches and players have chosen films to host during past Maryland Film Festivals as part of our pioneering Guest Host Program- the team backing this event is amazing,” said Maryland Film Festival Director Jed Dietz. “It’s the perfect Maryland Film Festival event; fun, informal, and featuring the most recent work of one of the greatest living filmmakers.”

The story of what is now the Baltimore’s Marching Ravens runs deep in Baltimore history, but many of the details in the film will surprise people. Despite the horror of losing the beloved Baltimore Colts, in a snowstorm late at night,  the film tells the story of a group of ordinary citizens, volunteers in the Baltimore Colts’ Marching Band, who would not quit. They kept the spirit of professional football in Baltimore alive through creative and bold action. Perhaps even more extraordinary, when the Baltimore Ravens franchise started in Baltimore, the Modell family fully embraced the great football tradition in Baltimore, and to this day the team and M & T Bank finance the renewed Baltimore’s Marching Ravens.

“We have always been grateful that team ownership and management  understands our passion and have made it possible for us to support our team,” said Band Leader John Ziemann. “To have Barry Levinson chose to make this film- a great filmmaker and a fellow fan- is a dream come true. The fact that he is taking the time to host this US Premiere in person, is beyond wonderful,” Ziemann concluded.

Barry Levinson, in production on his latest film, a story about Dr. Kevorkian for HBO, said:  “I couldn’t get to the World Premiere in Toronto because I was shooting into the early hours of the morning on my latest film, but I am thrilled to share this film at M& T Stadium with the great Baltimore fans and our wonderful marching band. All of us who worked on the film focused on capturing that very special Baltimore spirit that has always fascinated me, and will certainly be present at this event.”

TIME: 6:00pm – Gates Open

6:30pm – Baltimore’s Marching Ravens in concert

7:00pm – Introduction by Barry Levinson and Screening of THE BAND THAT WOULDN’T DIE on the Smart Vision Screen at M & T Bank Stadium

PLACE: M & T Bank Stadium (open seating on the field- NO CHAIRS)

Concessions will be available at non-stadium prices.

Tickets:       ALL TICKETS $5.00, day of screening. (All ticket proceeds benefit the Maryland Film Festival)   To pre-order visit www.baltimoreravens.com,  or call 410-261-(RAVE)