Baseball Doc 'Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story' On Iconic NY Yankees Player Opens Today

Passion River Films announced today that they have secured North American rights to LATE LIFE: THE CHIEN-MING WANG STORY, directed by Frank W. Chen. The film will open in NY October 26 and expand to select theaters across the country.

LATE LIFE is a feature-length documentary following the latter years of Wang's professional baseball career. It delves into his comeback attempts, his life between endless rehab programs, his lengthy and often lonely stints away from home and family, and the inner struggles and weight he carries on his injured shoulders. We follow him as he works toward a singular goal: to fight his way back into the Major Leagues.

"Before Chien-Ming Wang, 'Major League Baseball' was just a meaningless phrase to most in Taiwan. As his recognition soared, his MLB games became how most of us counted our days," stated Chen. "It is truly an honor for me to be sharing his story as my feature film debut alongside Passion River Films."

"Chien-Ming Wang's story is one of glory, diversity, but most importantly, perseverance, "added Allen Chou, President, Passion River Films. "Frank's intimate storytelling will take you BEYOND the spotlight and reveal the painstaking steps Wang took to overcome his devastating injury in 2008. We're so very excited to play a part in sharing LATE LIFE with the world."

From 2005-2008, Chien-Ming Wang, the Yankees' first-ever Taiwanese ballplayer carved a spot in the team's history by winning 19 games in two consecutive seasons and finishing second in the American League Cy Young Award voting in 2006. He was dubbed the "The Pride and GLORY of Taiwan" and even named to the Time 100 in 2007 before suffering a major foot injury the following year.

LATE LIFE held its World Premiere at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) this past May and landed the Audience Award for Best International Documentary. The film was also recently highlighted as the Centerpiece Presentation at the NYC Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF) this summer. Taiwan-based Activator Marketing Co, which has released more than 50 films in the past few years, including the 2013 BEYOND BEAUTY - TAIWAN FROM ABOVE - the highest ever-grossing documentary in Taiwan, will also distribute the film theatrically in Taiwan this December.

LATE LIFE: THE CHIEN-MING WANG STORY is produced by Chen (WYC Motions), Brian Yang of 408 Films, and Hai-Tao Wu. The deal was negotiated by Chen, Yang, Mat Levy - Head of Acquisitions and Josh Levin - Director, Theatrical/Exhibitor Relations for Passion River Films.

Passion River Films is behind the theatrical release of Jon Kean's AFTER AUSCHWITZ, the critically renowned documentary chronicling the post-war lives of six female Holocaust survivors, as well as the theatrical and VOD launch of Sundance opening-night film THE WORKERS CUP. Upcoming releases include the Home Video and Non-theatrical launch of SXSW BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE Winner THUNDER ROAD; and VOD launch of Stephanie Welch's A DANGEROUS IDEA: EUGENICS, GENETICS, AND THE AMERICAN DREAM. Along withLATE LIFE, Passion River is releasing Frances Causey's award-winning documentary THE LONG SHADOW into theaters this fall, as well as a nationwide special-event tour of the tequila and mezcal documentary AGAVE: THE SPIRIT OF A NATION.

Passion River Films is a film distributor who specializes in high-end independent films that engage with audiences and impact communities. They handle distribution to theaters, VOD, and home video, as well as targeted academic and grass roots markets. Passion River's diverse catalog features films that are Academy Award, Emmy, and major Critics group winning as well as films that have been official selections and major prize winners at Cannes, Sundance Film Festival, Berlinale, Toronto, SXSW and many other prestigious festivals and events. More atwww.passionriver.com

WYC Motions LLC is a production company based in New York City founded by Frank W. Chen in 2015. The company financed and produced Late Life: The Chien-Ming Wang Story, a feature length documentary on Wang, a Taiwanese baseball icon.

408 FILMS LLC is a financing, consulting, and production company that structures financing and private equity for both traditional film productions and new media ventures. Company credits include Linsanity, I Can I Will I Did (Sunscreen Film Festival 2017 Best Feature), andSnakehead.

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