Defiant Empire and Black Walk announce the DVD release of their first feature film collaboration, Dark Rising. Starring TNA and former WWE wrestler Jay "Christian Cage" Reso, Landy Cannon, and Brigitte Kingsley - who also produces the film - the DVD will be available at WalMart and Blockbuster Video locations across Canada on October 30, 2007.

In addition, a private media screening will take place on Wednesday October 24th, 8pm at Scotiabank Theatre (259 Richmond Street West). The screening will be followed by a launch party featuring Reso as well as the rest of the film's cast and producers. The party will take place at Atelier (508 King Street West) beginning at 10pm.

When Jason Parks (Landy Cannon) invites his three best friends and ex-fiancée on a weekend camping trip, his dreams of reconciling with the love of his life quickly turn into a nightmare when his friend Renee (Julia Schneider) attempts to contact the spirit of a young girl who has been haunting her dreams. The fun and games quickly turn to life and death when Renee's ritual works and the little lost girl, Summer Vale (Brigitte Kingsley) bursts onto the scene, all grown up and armed with a battle axe. What follows is a campy romp that is equal parts horror, science fiction and high comedy.

Dark Rising was written, directed and edited by Andrew Cymek in his feature debut. Cymek's extensive knowledge of writing, directing, editing and graphics have made him a one-man operation behind the camera. He has worked on a variety of projects, including music videos, short films, industrials and commercials. His earlier work includes Bertha's Diner, a short film optioned to be developed into a television series entitled Grimm Tales; and The Pretender, a 45-minute short that received high honours at both the Los Angeles and New York International Film and Video Festivals.

Jay "Christian Cage" Reso is best known for his six years as WWE superstar Christian. After deciding to make the leap from wrestling sensation to film actor, Reso left the WWE for a more flexible schedule with TNA Wrestling. He was recently World Wrestling TNA Champion and continues to be at the top of the pro-wrestling world.

Domestically, Dark Rising is represented by Toronto-based Oasis International and is being represented internationally by Vancouver-based company Industry Works, and made its market debut in Berlin where there was much interest in purchasing distribution rights for the film. There was also a great deal of interest in the film's spinoff television series that is currently in production.

Defiant Empire was launched by business partners Andrew Cymek and Brigitte Kingsley. Originally conceived as Defiant Films by Cymek while still a university student, he eventually partnered with Kingsley and formed Defiant Empire Corporation in June 2005. Producer and actress Brigitte Kingsley is the former host of Game Nation, and currently starring in MuchMusic's Screwed Over.

Defiant has worked on a variety of projects including short films, music videos and commercials. Dark Rising is the first feature film to be released from the up-and-coming production company. Their next feature, Medium Raw stars John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings) and Mercedes McNab (Buffy the Vampire Slayer).

Black Walk was formed in 1992 by company president and executive producer Mihkel Harilaid, and quickly blossomed in the area of music video production, producing over 500 videos and winning more Much Music Video Awards than any other production company. Harilaid has also produced a number of short and feature-length films, including Washed Up (an award winner at the New York Film Festival), Ham & Cheese (featuring Samantha Bee, Dave Foley and Scott Thompson) and Phil the Alien (an award winner at TIFF, released by Lion's Gate Films in 2005).

Dark Rising is the first of what promises to be several successful collaborations between Defiant Empire and Black Walk.

-30-

Available for interviews,
Jay "Christian Cage" Reso, star
Landy Cannon, star
Brigitte Kingsley, producer and star
Andrew Cymek, writer and director
Mihkel Harilaid, executive producer