Thursday, August 30----------Mark Brokaw is a respected Broadway theater director who is making his feature film debut with SPINNING INTO BUTTER, which has its world premiere this evening in the Competition Section of the Montreal World Film Festival. A member of the drama department of the Yale School School Drama, Mark Brokaw has directed a score of plays, including many award-winning premieres, on and off Broadway. He staged works in regional theatres across the United States and he directed productions of Arthur Miller's THE PRICE and VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE at Dublin's Gate Theatre. Among his New York premieres: Paula Vogel's THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME and HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (winner of the Drama Desk, Obie and Lucille Lortel Awards for Best Director), Kenneth Lonergan's LOBBY HERO and THIS IS OUR YOUTH (Lortel and Encore Awards). SPINNING INTO BUTTER is the film adaptation of a prize winning play by Rebecca Gilman.

For his film debut, Brokaw directs a stellar cast, which includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Mykelti Williamson, Beau Bridges, Miranda Richardson, James Rehorn and Victor Rasuk. Set at a private college, the film tells the story of Sarah Daniels, who has barely settled into her new job as dean of students at a small elite college in rural New England. A series of hate crimes throws her world into turmoil. Because of Sarah's experience at an inner-city school, the investigation becomes her responsibility. She calls the police, only to find her every decision challenged by the school's Dean and President, who are more concerned with maintaining the school's image than solving the case.

This is the first dramatic role for star Sarah Jessica Parker, since her 7 year stint as the goodtime gal on the worldwide television hit series SEX AND THE CITY. The film is having its world premiere here in Montreal, with international sales being handled by Toronto-based Cinemavault Releasing.

Sandy Mandelberger, Montreal World FF Dailies Editor