This could be the Brokeback Mountain moment for atheists, our tipping point, when we finally get the attention we deserve. Although books have put atheists into the intellectual mainstream, The Ledge is the first Hollywood drama to target the broader movie-going public with an openly atheist hero in a production big enough to attract A-list stars (bios, trailer). This is unprecedented.

Although the film was nominated for Best US Drama for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and has huge potential to promote atheism, it could also be a crushing defeat. How many watch it -- and it just came in 3rd in Russia against Pirates of the Caribbean and Kung Fu Panda -- determines the push it will get nationwide. If Brokeback Mountain had failed at the box office, it would have scared investors away from gay-centric films for a decade. When Passion Of The Christ came out, it was heavily supported by Christians, and consequently Hollywood made several more faith-based films. It is vital that we atheists prove that we support films that support us. This is how the door opens.

I ask you to go beyond a mention. Please spend 15 minutes on the below list of ideas and ask your local theatre to show The Ledge. It's a great way to help along our cause, and please sign up for announcements. Thanks!

--Matthew Chapman, Writer & Director, The Ledge

See it On Demand or Online Now!

You can see The Ledge right now through Video on Demand (your cable service), through the iTunes Store (go to the link and click View in iTunes), on the Internet at Sundance Now.

See it Now in Local Theatres

Get Your Local Theatre to Show The Ledge (USA)

1. For the USA, call up the Theatre and identify the manager who makes decisions on films. The Ledge is suited more to "art house" theatres, but any theatre may wish to give it a go.
2. Speak with the manager or email this cover letter and please copy Mark Boxer at IFC, MABOXER@ifcfilms.com, and Matthew Chapman, matthew@matthewchapman.us: Dear Manager, I'd like to request The Ledge come to your theatre! It is a thriller starring Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson, Terrence Howard, and Charlie Hunnam that was nominated Best US Drama at Sundance and recently took 3rd of the week in Russia in-between Pirates of the Caribbean and Thor. The Huffington Post says, "The Ledge held me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, which is a very good thing these days, when I am tempted to give up on many pictures after only five minutes.... The opening frames of the movie are immediately visually stunning. Shot so cleanly and sharply as to almost look like a graphic novel..." I have many friends and belong to a local group that will strongly support this release through outreach to the community. You can see more at http://ledgemovie.com and please let me know what I need to do to get you a copy for your review and for potential release at your theatre! The USA contact is Mark Boxer at IFC, MABOXER@ifcfilms.com and please copy Matthew Chapman, matthew@matthewchapman.us.
   
3. Email Mark Boxer at IFC, MABOXER@ifcfilms.com and Matthew at matthew@matthewchapman.us with the manager's phone number, email, and street address. IFC will take it from there! Thank you!
   

Get Your Local Theatre to Show The Ledge (Worldwide)

Outside the USA, IFC Films is not the distributor. But for now, follow the same instructions as for the USA and please ask theatres to contact the distributors below. Confused? Email johnny@ledgemovie.com!

How to Help: Basic

1. Sign up for movie announcements!

Email:
We will never sell your email address.

2. Email some friends! Here is a sample letter: Hi friends, Please help me spread the word! The Ledge is the new movie thriller with Charlie Hunnam, Patrick Wilson, Liv Tyler, and Terrence Howard that won a nomination for Best US Drama at Sundance, and it's the first all-star movie to feature an atheist hero. This could be the Brokeback Mountain moment for atheists. We need to stand up and be counted as an audience that Hollywood should keep making films for! Please sign up at http://LedgeMovie.com/how_to_help/. Thanks! -Your Name

3. Subscribe to the Matthew Chapman Blog, 
     or by reader 
4. Subscribe to the Facebook page
5. Invite friends to the Facebook page
6. Share on your Facebook wall with this link
7. Subscribe to the Twitter feed

8. Tweet about The Ledge Our hashtag is #TheLedgeMovie and page is @TheLedgeMovie.
   Click to tweet Message #1, Message #2, or Message #3!
9. Create a controversy! Blog about The Ledge and make a splash.Don't just mention the film to your readers -- make it a challenge to get the word out! See our list of topic ideas.
10. Comment on YouTube where we have 3 movie clips
11. Review the film through. See it Video On Demand or on the Internet at Sundance Now. Then write a review!
12. Vote (only if you've seen the film) on IMDB (click on the stars to vote on the film, and click thumbs up on the reviews you like), Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic.
13. Post The Ledge on link sharing sites like Digg and StumbleUpon

Curious about Atheism?

How to Help: Advanced

1. Add a widget to your website. Just copy and paste this code:

Landscape icon 171x100	Portait icon 150x200	Text link
<center><a href="http://LedgeMovie.com"><img border=0 src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/theledge-img/layout/ledge-widget1.png" width=171 height=100></a></center>	<center><a href="http://LedgeMovie.com"><img border=0 src="http://s3.amazonaws.com/theledge-img/layout/ledge-widget2.jpg" width=150 height=200></a></center>	<center>One Christian. One Atheist. One Survivor. The Ledge is the new thriller with Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson, and Terrence Howard, at <a href="http://LedgeMovie.com">www.LedgeMovie.com</a>!</center>
		One Christian. One Atheist. One Survivor. The Ledge is the new thriller with Liv Tyler, Patrick Wilson, and Terrence Howard, at www.LedgeMovie.com!

2. Organize a group to see The Ledge at a local theatre.
3. Interview Matthew. Do you work in print, TV, radio, or podcasting? Contact us!
4. Connect us to media. Can you help us network to get Matthew on key shows like The Daily Show? Contact us!
5. Connect us to bloggers we might have overlooked, both theist and atheist. Whom should we contact about The Ledge? Write Johnny at johnny@LedgeMovie.com.
6. Submit a video to This Is Me: Atheist
7. Send us your ideas. Whether it's Web design, marketing, or just a problem on this website, we're all ears. Write Johnny at johnny@LedgeMovie.com