Hannover House Sets July 29 Launch for Acclaimed Drama, "The Conspiracy"

   Hannover House will release the $15 million-budgeted period drama, "The Conspiracy," to theaters in selected USA markets beginning July 29. The acclaimed feature from director Antonio Del Real stars Jason Isaacs ("Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"), Julia Ormond ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"), Jürgen Prochnow ("The Da Vinci Code," "The English Patient") and Joaquim de Almeida ("Fast Fives," "Behind Enemy Lines"). Initial theatrical release markets include New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, with plans to expand to most of the top 40 ranked DMAs. Hannover House is the entertainment division of Target Development Group, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: TDGI).

"This is a high-profile film with a significant budget and recognized cast," said Eric Parkinson, C.E.O. of Hannover House and Target Development Group, Inc. "As we continue to grow as an independent distributor, we will be focusing our release activities on more significant titles with greater commercial appeal. The production values, performances, and historically-based storyline presented in 'The Conspiracy' meet these corporate goals and should satisfy audiences for romantic, period dramas."

Shot in Spain and released in key European markets by Sony Pictures, this original language English production tells a true and complex story of intrigue, espionage and romance in the royal Court of Philip II of Spain, in the late 16th Century. The agreement for the acquisition of USA rights was structured at the MIP-TV conference in Cannes, France earlier this month between Hannover House and Atlas International Film, GmbH.

SYNOPSIS: In the late 16th Century, in the Court of Philip II, the House of Alba is fighting to regain the Kings favor and displace the rival faction of the House of Mendoza, led by the Princess of Éboli (JULIA ORMOND). On the night of Easter Monday, 1578, paid assassins ambush Juan de Escobedo (JOAQUIM DE ALMEIDA) and kill him. Mateo Vázquez (JORDI MOLLA), a priest and incorruptible official in the Kings service, is charged with the investigation of his murder.

The Duke of Alba (FABIO TESTI), who, despite his 71 years, has not lost a whit of his legendary energy and vigor, has for some time been relegated to a lesser role in the Court due to the growing power of the Kings most influential secretary, Prime Minister Antonio Pérez (JASON ISAACS). The situation in Flanders, under the command of the Kings charismatic illegitimate half-brother, is extremely delicate. John of Austria has sent his personal secretary, Juan de Escobedo, to intercede before the King, Philip II. Juan de Escobedo, presumptuous and arrogant, has returned to El Escorial on a mission to demand money from Philip II to finance the liberation of Mary, Queen of Scots, and thus begin a new royal line by marrying her to John of Austria. As chance would have it, Escobedo witnesses the murky and passionate romance between Ana de Mendoza, Princess of Éboli, whose extraordinary beauty is as dangerous as her ambition and difficult to resist, with Prime Minister Antonio Pérez. In addition, he also learns of their plan to block the sending of any aid to the Flemish territories, since that would harm their financial interests. With personal, financial and romantic interests hidden under a disguise of royalty and protocol, the complex web of conspiracy and deceit ultimately changes the course of history.

The film was released in Spain by Sony Pictures Entertainment, under the title of "La Conjura de El Escorial." The Hannover House release of the film in the United States will be in the original English language production format, with the DVD and Blu-ray release in late 2011 offering the option of viewing with the Spanish-dubbed language tracks.

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For more information contact: Lauren Sterling 479-751-4500 [e-mail]