Winterbottom film to get simultaneous cinema, DVD and online release

Along with the television screening, the film is to be shown in up to 30 UK cinemas and on the internet. The production company, Revolution Films, is thought to be in talks with ISP Tiscali about online distribution.

The move shows a shift in thinking away from that of major Hollywood studios, which largely view the internet as a threat to the box office success of their films.

Acclaimed US director Steven Soderbergh broke new ground for the industry in January when his latest film 'Bubble' was released simulateously in the US on DVD and at theatres. However, it is thought that with the online release, 'The Road To Guantanamo' is the first to go for three formats at the one time.

'The Road to Guantanamo' was shot in Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan and follows the story of four men from the West Midlands town of Tipton who set off for a wedding in Pakistan in September 2001, but end up being arrested and imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay. They were released in 2004.

Described as a feature-length factual drama, it uses interviews, archive footage and dramatic recreation to tell the men's stories.

'The Road to Guantanamo' is being premiered at the Berlin Film Festival tomorrow, February 14.

Winterbottom is known for films including 'Cock and Bull Story', 'The Road to Sarajevo' and '24 Hour Party People'.

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