October 29, 2009 (PRESS RELEASE) -- Chicago has been chosen by filmmaker and Vietnam vet Chris McIntyre as the World Premiere city for his new film 21 and a Wake Up on Thursday, October 29.

It's the first American motion picture about the war ever allowed by the Communist government to be filmed in Vietnam at real locations where the war took place.

Unlike most war movies showing the devastation of war from a foot soldiers grunt's-eye view, 21 and a Wake Up dramatizes the real life story of three young nurses' just days from returning home at the 24th Evacuation Hospital, the last major Army Hospital still operating in Vietnam. The picture, taking place over a 100-time span, shows what life was really like on a vast Vietnam military base that had swimming pools, nightclubs, banks and massage parlors.

World Premiere
Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
AMC Theaters River East 21
322 E. Illinois St., Chicago
Opens in Chicago and suburbs on Friday
www.21andawakeup.com

Follow up:

21 and a Wake Up stars Amy Acker (of TV's Angel and Alias) as the film's lead Caitlin Murphy, an army nurse who undertakes a treacherous journey up the Mekong River to Cambodia to save a very young Vietnamese-American girl before the American bombing of Cambodia. Like all events in the film, Murphy's heroic trip is based on a true story.

The unusual title refers to (1) The number of days nurse Caitlin Murphy has remaining in-country when a major event transforms her life; (2) The average age of young nurses on their first your in Vietnam who wake up to a shocking war they never imagined; and (3) The 21 years America was in Vietnam (1954 through 1975), waking up to the first war the U.S. ever lost.

The film also stars Faye Dunaway (Network/Chinatown/Bonnie and Clyde), JC Chasez (of N'Sync in his first movie role), Danica McKellar (The Wonder Years/The West Wing), Ed Begley Jr. (St Elsewhere/The West Wing), Tom Sizemore (Saving Private Ryan/Blackhawk Down) Wes Studi (Heat/Last of the Mohicans) Andre Royo (The Wire) and Ben Vereen (Pippin).

Director McIntyre; Acker, who starred in 70 episodes of the cult classic Angel; and McKellar will attend the movie's premiere at 6:30 pm at the AMC Theaters River East 21, 322 E. Illinois Street, Chicago. McKellar, an actress and internationally recognized mathematician, plays Jenny Valentine, the second leading nurse who discovers her talent and skill in the army and later becomes a surgeon.

Neither anti-war or jingoistic, according to writer-director McIntyre 21 and a Wake Up is an unusual adventure subtly attempting to discover the emotional truth and inspiring courage behind young women who keep their sanity by saving soldiers lives. The writer/director developed the film with noted physician Marvin Wayne, a surgeon serving at the 24th Evacuation Hospital in its final year.

The film created such interest in military circles that director Chris McIntyre was invited to speak to the graduating class at West Point about the picture during pre-production in 2007.

McIntyre chose Chicago because it his favorite American city. "I spent a great deal of time in Chicago immediately after my four year tour with the US Marines' air wing during Vietnam. "I love the restaurants, theatre, and people, and have tons of long time friends who have urged me to have the film's world premiere in Chicago. The public here is extraordinarily open to a film like this. Our Sneak Previews this summer in Chicago have been amazing!"

The film opens in theaters in Chicago and the suburbs Friday, October 30. Veterans will be admitted free to showings at local move theaters. For locations and more information, visit www.21andawakeup.com. [source]

MEET DANICA MCKELLAR

50 ABC 7 viewers have a chance for a personal "meet and greet" with Danica Thursday, October 29 from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. for autographs and photos. Email your request to wakeuptix@gmail.com

21 AND A WAKE UP

World Premiere
Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m.
AMC Theaters River East 21
322 E. Illinois St., Chicago
Opens in Chicago and suburbs on Friday
www.21andawakeup.com