World-renowned Alcohol and Drug Treatment Facility Presents the All-Michigan-Made Movie, Annabelle & Bear in a Publicly Ticketed Film Screening Event To Benefit Brighton Hospital Children's Addiction Prevention Program

ROYAL OAK, Mich., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The producers of Annabelle & Bear, Radish Creative Group, are pleased to accept an endorsement from world renowned St. John Providence Health System Brighton Hospital as they announce a Special Screening Gala at Detroit's Music Hall Center for Performing Arts on Saturday, April 17th at 8:00pm which will feature the highly anticipated independent film produced with 100% Michigan cast, crew and soundtrack. Proceeds from the film screening event will go to Brighton Hospital Children's Addiction Prevention program which counsels children, free of charge, who live with a family member dealing with the disease of addiction.

Annabelle & Bear is the dramatic, tender story of a man who finds himself suddenly thrust into fatherhood, and the unexpected journey that leads him to discover the life-altering love found in the heart of his little girl. The story follows a rough and tumble biker, Bear, whose life is turned upside down after a drug-addicted mother drops off his two year old daughter, who he has not seen since birth. It is not only a hopeful story of love and redemption, but a powerful story of addiction and the effects it has on three generations of a family including an innocent little girl named Annabelle.

Denise Bertin-Epp, President and Chief Nursing Officer at St. John Providence Health System Brighton Hospital, is deeply moved by the film and hopes that Annabelle & Bear will soon be seen by a worldwide audience, "Not since the movie Hoosiers have I seen a film as realistic and honest about the impact of destruction that is created by the tragic disease of addiction.  This movie will be a tremendous treatment asset to therapists and addiction families worldwide for years to come."   Bertin-Epp and other chemical dependency and treatment experts also commend the film for the non-glorified depiction of drug use that is commonplace in film today, "Rarely have I seen the disease of addiction portrayed in all its horror, with such accuracy in its depiction of the damage it inflicts on those who love them and rely on them. This is a very powerful film for addicts and their families to see!"

The Brighton Children's Program that stands to benefit from this fundraising event is a four-day program offered free to children ages 7-12 who have a significant other in their life with an alcohol or other drug problem or is in active recovery. This camp style program teaches children about the disease of addiction in age-appropriate ways while meeting other children who are in a similar situation.  They also learn self-care techniques and create safety plans. This unusual program works to protect these children from the higher risks they face of abuse, physical problems, addictions and even suicide.  

According to the National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA), nearly one in four children in the nation today are living with addiction. The producers of Annabelle & Bear are proud to support such an important program, especially when health insurance covers only treatment for the addicted individual but not for the family, all of whom are affected by addiction as poignantly demonstrated in the Annabelle & Bear storyline. "This movie took me through the entire wheel of emotions!  I found myself hoping the addict would seek treatment and the family would find recovery," adds the president and Chief Nursing Officer of Brighton Hospital.  

Motorcycle Groups from across the region are joining forces in a mass motorcycle ride on Saturday, March 27th at noon (rain date April 3rd) to bring attention to ticket sales for the film screening event.  Sober Riders motorcycle group is a fellowship of men and women who live by the principles of the 12-step program of recovery and will lead the effort. They have invited other like-minded motorcycle clubs to join them in this excursion from their base at the Metro-West Alano Club in Redford, Michigan, through Metro-Detroit and conclude downtown at the Music Hall box office where they will purchase tickets for the screening gala in support of the film and the program that directly helps children in families coping with addiction issues. Lead actor Curt Massof, Bear, will also join the bikers in this massive demonstration of support on wheels.

The Special Screening Gala will include live performances by the film's soundtrack musicians immediately following the film.  For more information, to view the movie trailer or to sponsor this event, please visit www.annabelleandbear.com  Tickets are $15 and available through Music Hall's box office or by phone at (313) 887-8501 or through TicketMaster.  Although this movie has not yet been rated, the producers of Annabelle & Bear are anticipating a PG-13 rating.

Contact:  Tina Weber, Radish Creative Group

(248) 504-7864   /  (248) 629-7294

[email protected]

SOURCE Brighton Hospital