***DBE Head, Lou DiBella to Produce Major Motion Picture***
New York, NY, DiBella Entertainment President Lou DiBella will produce a motion picture entitled “Love Ranch” which will begin filming in Albuquerque, New Mexico in late January. The drama will tell the story of a couple who opened the first legal brothel in Nevada and how their relationship is put to the test when infidelity becomes involved. The work is inspired by the story of Joe and Sally Conforte, owners of the Mustang Ranch in Reno, Nevada. Professional boxer Oscar Bonavena was shot dead at the ranch in 1976 after it was suspected he had an affair with Sally.
“I am extremely excited to be a part of this movie. Many people know me as a boxing promoter but film is something I have always wanted to be involved in”, said DiBella.
The film will star Academy Award winner Helen Mirren and legendary actor Joe Pesci. Taylor Hackford will be a producer and the director. The renowned director has directed famous films including “An Officer and a Gentleman”, “The Devil’s Advocate”, and his most recent work, “Ray”. Other producers include David Bergstein and Marty Katz. Mark Jacobson, a close friend of DiBella, whose New York magazine article formed the basis for “American Gangster”, wrote the screenplay.
“This will be a fun project. Having the opportunity to work with a friend in Mark, world class actors in Helen Mirren and Joe Pesci and a director like Taylor Hackford is really something I am looking forward to”, said the promoter.
This will not be the first time DiBella will be involved in a movie. DBE launched DBE Productions several years ago. The production department of DBE produced a documentary on IBF Junior Welterweight Champion Paulie Malignaggi’s rise to a title fight entitled “Magic Man”. The rough cut of the film won the Audience Award at the 2007 Hoboken International Film Festival. The film has recently been completed and will be released in late winter or early spring. DiBella had a role playing himself in the sixth and final installment of the Rocky movies, “Rocky Balboa”, which was released in 2006.
Paulie Malignaggi and Buddy McGirt.
