LOS ANGELES, CA – May 20, 2014 – Frontiersman Pictures is proud to announce the summer VOD/DVD releases of the critically acclaimed film Circle the Wagen, a feature-length documentary directed by Ryan Steven Green that explores Volkswagen subculture in the United States. Circle the Wagen is an optimistic buddy/roadtrip/docu-dramedy that follows two friends as they drive a ramshackle 1972 VW bus across the country, with the help of the generous and close-knit VW community. The digital VOD (Video on Demand) release is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29, 2014 through Devolver Digital Films. This initial VOD release will be available through iTunes, Amazon, PlayStation, Xbox, VUDU, Vimeo on Demand, VHX, Distrify, Google Play, and others. The cable VOD release date is set for August 5, 2014. The film will come out on DVD on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 through BRINKvision. DVD pre-orders are available now at this Amazon link. For more information, please see the film’s site at www.circlethewagen.com.

Circle the Wagen DVD cover art • branding by Concepción Studios

The film will have three Southern California (SoCal) screening events the first week of June (5th, 6th, 7th) scheduled in conjunction with O.C.T.O. Meet 2014. Sponsored by the Orange County Transporter Organization, O.C.T.O. Meet is the premier West Coast summer vintage Volkswagen event for enthusiasts from all around the world. See this and other VW-related events in the month of June here. For additional Circle the Wagen screening event details, see below and also visit the film’s Screening page (click on marquee for each event’s details).

SoCal Screenings in June –
The filmmakers will be on hand at all three screenings, which are all open to the public (reservations may apply).

➢    Thursday, June 5, 2014 (8:00pm)
Hometown Screening inside the historic Fox Theatre in Fullerton (Producer Charlie Pecoraro’s hometown)
• the lot opens at 5:00pm for food and an instant car show (bring your vintage VW!)
• filmmaker Q&A after the screening
COST: $5 (cash only; free for children under 12)
ADDRESS: 500 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, CA 92832
INFO: Facebook Event Page

➢    Friday, June 6, 2014 (8:00pm)
Free Screening at VTO Campout at El Prado Park in Chino
• free BBQ dinner at 5:30pm; screening of Circle the Wagen at sunset
COST: free (camping $20-$35)
ADDRESS: 16700 S. Euclid Ave., Chino, CA 91708
INFO: camping/campground information here • Facebook Event Page

➢    Saturday, June 7, 2014 (7:45pm)
One Year Anniversary Screening at Capistrano Volkswagen (Capo VW) in San Juan Capistrano
• A lot has happened since the film had its West Coast premiere at Capo VW last July! A distribution deal, for one, and a new permanent home for the star of the film… “The Croc.”
• bring your vintage VW starting at 4:00pm
• Hot Dog on a Stick on site by 5:30pm
COST: free event but must reserve tickets online at www.capovw.com/CircleTheWagen
ADDRESS: 32922 Valle Rd., San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
INFO: Facebook Event Page

Synopsis –
Circle the Wagen (87 min./USA/2013) is an optimistic feature-length buddy/roadtrip/docu-dramedy that takes a look at the Volkswagen subculture in the United States, as two friends work in tandem to get “The Croc,” a  ramshackle 1972 VW bus, across the country. The story follows Dave Torstenson, an idealistic adventurer and automotive neophyte, and his convivial co-pilot, Charlie  Pecoraro, on their journey down Route 66 in a baby blue bus purchased, sight unseen, on eBay for $787. Dave has thus fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a vintage Volkswagen bus. Now, the challenge is to get the rickety vehicle across the country to Los Angeles.

Through mishaps and murals, gasoline baths and breakdowns, Dave and Charlie discover a teeming underground of vintage VW diehards, while on the journey/social experiment of their lives. This vintage VW subculture, a tremendously giving and close-knit community of folks, is the true heart of the film. Together, they help save The Croc from the scrap heap and rally her beleaguered owner on to California. Along the Sisyphean adventure, we learn that Dave’s life up to this point, much like The Croc’s life, has had many false starts. Perhaps Dave and the bus need each other to move forward.

“Remember when your mom told you not to talk to strangers? Well, if this film has taught me anything, it’s to ALWAYS talk to strangers,” says Circle the Wagen Director Ryan Steven Green, “On this journey, we were embraced by a community of some of the most giving individuals we have ever met… strangers helping complete strangers.”

Awards –
The film took home 2013 Best Feature Documentary honors at the Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles (DFFLA) and Columbia Gorge International Film Festival (CGIFF); as well as the 2013 Dennis Hopper Guerrilla Award at the Albuquerque Film & Media Experience (AFME).

Dave Torstenson, Producer & “The Driver” –
Dave Torstenson (The Driver) is known for his adventuresome spirit and engaging storytelling. A native of rural Nevada, he graduated from the University of Southern California with a BA in Broadcast Journalism, then, like most j-school graduates, drove across the country to New York City and started a rock band. His next adventure took him to Northern Iraq, where he taught math, science, and music to Kurdish middle schoolers. Having earned his television production stripes at Good Morning America and MTV News, Torstenson has since continued traveling to conflict and post-conflict regions around the world to teach documentary filmmaking with his award-winning nonprofit, The Tiziano Project. He currently builds community engagement platforms for Hulu, crafts social media strategies for nonprofits and startup companies, and moonlights as an accordionist whenever he gets a moment to breathe. Circle the Wagen is based on the real life adventures of Dave.

Charlie Pecoraro, Writer, Executive Producer & “The Buddy” –
Charlie Pecoraro (The Buddy) is a producer, drummer, and working film, television, stage, internet, and commercial actor residing in Los Angeles. He hosts musical colloquiums and M.oM. Day (Museum of the Month), a collective devoted to regularly exposing themselves to exhibits, performances, tours, and all things cultural and culinary in the greater Los Angeles area. Pecoraro received a BA in Cinematic Studies with a tailored minor in performance from the University of Southern California. He has starred in award-winning and critically praised short films and plays. He is represented by Origin Talent and is a proud member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Ryan Steven Green, Writer, Director & Editor –
Director Ryan Steven Green made his first documentary at the tender age of 19. Its subject was the “blue flame,” that is, lighting farts on fire. The topics of subsequent films are equally symptomatic of an unfashionably happy childhood: snails, moustaches, modern homesteaders, coffee, and, now, Volkswagens. A native of Los Angeles, Green received a BA in Cinema-Television Critical Studies with an emphasis on non-fiction filmmaking from the University of Southern California. He minored in Neuroscience. His documentary work has sent him around the world for the Emmy-winning PBS show Travelscope and can be seen in the films of Jay Duplass as well as the experimental feature documentary One Day on Earth. As a commercial director/editor, his clients have included Nike, NASA, Torani, Roxio, Plantronics, and PowerBar. He is currently in post-production on his second feature documentary, The Hollywood Shorties, which tells of the rise and fall of a professional dwarf basketball team playing in Los Angeles in the ‘70s and ‘80s. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife of six years. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2273895

BRINKvision –
BRINKvision (formerly BrinkDVD) is very likely the last real independent film distribution company. Founded in 2001, by indie film pioneer, Danny Vinik, BRINKvision is now enjoying its 13th year of operation continuing to distribute films that are worthy of being seen by a wider audience. With a diverse catalog of titles spanning a wide valley of genres and themes, BRINKvision strives for an audience that, while demanding innovative and original entertainment, knows the struggles associated with that endeavor, and is willing to support the cause. The BRINKvision roster of titles varies from punk rock docs to critically acclaimed dramas to micro-budget features to blood curdling horror films… all share something in common: these films deserve to be seen by a wider audience. http://www.brinkdvd.com

Devolver Digital Films –
Based in Austin, Texas, Devolver Digital distributes independent video games and guides indie filmmakers through digital distribution and film promotion. Devolver Digital’s outspoken passion for independent games, developers, and fans has earned the company no minor measure of game industry notoriety. With its expansion into film, which was announced at South by Southwest 2013, the company applies that same fiercely creative devotion and digital content expertise to support and celebrate indie filmmakers and projects. Co-Founder and Partner Mike Wilson says his own experience as a filmmaker seeking distribution led him and his partners to expand Devolver Digital into film. That experience has guided the company’s focus on “hand-crafted” strategic partnership and personal attention in distributing the titles on the label to a full range of digital and cable VOD platforms. http://www.devolverdigital.com

Links –
• Official Site – www.circlethewagen.com
• Trailer – vimeo.com/5416496
• IMDB – www.imdb.com/title/tt1353990
• Facebook – www.facebook.com/CircleTheWagen
• Twitter – https://twitter.com/circlethewagen @circlethewagen
• Instagram – www.Instagram.com/circlethewagen
• DVD pre-orders – http://www.amazon.com/Circle-Charlie-Pecoraro-Sottnik-Torstenson/dp/B00JWS9HIW

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For more information, photos, a screener, or to schedule an interview, please contact Green Galactic’s Lynn Tejada at 213-840-1201, lynn@greengalactic.com.

Circle the Wagen DVD cover art • branding by Concepción Studios