Press Release

Blood-stained fingers tap on a computer keyboard… A fluttering butterfly becomes a lizard’s lunch…

Only one director can craft
Such macabre visions of beauty and horror…

ANCHOR BAY ENTERTAINMENT PRESENTS
THE NORTH AMERICAN DVD PREMIERE OF DARIO ARGENTO’S “THE CARD PLAYER” AND “TRAUMA”

Separate Editions Available August 23
 

TROY, MI – From the dark imagination of Dario Argento, the Italian Master of Horror, comes two blood-chilling psycho-thrillers making their North American DVD debut on Tuesday, August 23rd when Anchor Bay Entertainment releases Dario Argento’s Trauma and The Card Player. Available separately, each with an SRP of $19.98, Trauma and The Card Player will also thrill horror fans with the extensive array of special bonus features on each disc, providing unparalleled behind-the-scenes access into the filmmaking techniques of one of the world’s greatest horror storytellers. Long out-of-circulation in its original 1992 theatrical version, Trauma will be presented completely restored and uncut for the first time ever in America!

Filmed entirely in Minneapolis, Trauma marked Argento’s first English-language film and featured an all-star cast including Piper Laurie (Carrie, “Twin Peaks”), Brad Dourif (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy), Frederic Forrest (Apocalypse Now, One From the Heart) and James Russo (Open Range). Trauma concerns the grisly events surrounding a string of brutal decapitations by a serial killer called “The Headhunter” and their mysterious connection to Aura, a troubled young woman (Dario’s daughter Asia Argento of XXX and George A. Romero’s Land Of The Dead) who is an escapee from a psychiatric clinic and David (Christopher Rydell, For The Boys), an ex-addict who becomes her protector. Trauma’s explicit special makeup effects were created by legendary effects artist Tom Savini (George A. Romero’s Dawn Of The Dead).

2004’s The Card Player heralded Argento’s return to the movie screen after a three year absence. In this vicious thriller, a homicidal maniac uses online video poker to taunt the police desperately pursuing him. For every round the cops lose, a kidnapped young girl is mutilated live via webcam. An Italian detective (Stefania Rocca, The Talented Mr. Ripley) and an Irish forensics expert (Liam Cunningham, Dog Soldiers) team up and race against the clock to trap the killer before another murderous hand is played. The music for The Card Player was composed by longtime Argento collaborator, ex-Goblin member Claudio Simonetti (Suspiria). The stakes are high and the hunt is on for the psychopath known as The Card Player!

Anchor Bay Entertainment has pulled out all the stops for the DVDs of Dario Argento’s Trauma and The Card Player, assembling and presenting never-before-seen value-added features, behind-the-scenes supplements that are sure to please die-hard Argento fans and convert non-fans to the terrifying world of Dario Argento!

TRAUMA on DVD contains the following special features:

• Widescreen Presentation enhanced for 16x9 TVs
• Featurette Love, Death & Trauma featuring a brand-new interview with director Dario Argento
• Audio Commentary with Profondo Argento Author Alan Jones
• Never-Before-Seen On-Set Behind-The-Scenes Footage
• Exclusive Special Effects Home Movies from Tom Savini
• Deleted Scenes
• Theatrical Trailer
• Poster & Still Gallery
• Dario Argento Bio
• Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

THE CARD PLAYER on DVD dazzles with such value-added extras as:

• Widescreen Presentation enhanced for 16x9 TVs
• Audio Commentary with Profondo Argento Author Alan Jones
• Featurettes “Playing With Death” including a brand-new interview with director Dario Argento and “Maestro of Fear” with composer Claudio Simonetti
• Electronic Press Kit
• Behind-The-Scenes Footage
• Theatrical Trailer
• Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
• Special 8-Page Booklet (“On The Set with Dario Argento”)

Anchor Bay Entertainment is an established leader in the field of home entertainment. The company offers an expansive selection of award-winning, notable theatrical films including “Time Bandits” and “Halloween,” classic television programming such as “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “Three’s Company,” “Highlander” and much of the Stephen J. Cannell library, traditional children’s fare featuring the ever-popular Thomas & Friends collection and Mister Rogers Neighborhood, the impressive Manga anime line and chart-topping fitness titles including the "Crunch" and "For Dummies" series. Anchor Bay Entertainment is aggressively developing a wide range of original programs and concepts in addition to licensing existing brands and films.

Anchor Bay Entertainment is a subsidiary of IDT Entertainment. IDT Entertainment is a vertically integrated entertainment company that develops, produces, and distributes proprietary and licensed entertainment content. IDT Entertainment is a subsidiary of IDT Corporation (NYSE:IDT, IDT.C), an international telecom, entertainment, and technology company.