OFT REFERS ANTICIPATED ACQUISITION BY FUTURE PLC
OF HIGHBURY HOUSE PLC

The OFT today referred the anticipated acquisition by Future plc of Highbury House plc to the Competition Commission (CC).


The OFT has decided that the test for reference is met in relation to the supply of certain special interest consumer magazines in the UK. The reference is made on the basis of concerns that the combination of the largest supplier of computer games magazines in the UK with its largest competitor may be expected to lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the UK.

The CC is expected to report by 28 September 2005.

Ma Mère

DVD release date 25th April 2005

Isabelle Huppert (‘I Heart Huckabees’, ‘The Piano Teacher’), Louis Garrel (‘The Dreamers’) and Emma de Caunes (daughter of Eurotrash presenter Antoine) star in Ma Mère, director Christophe Honoré’s superb adaptation of Georges Bataille’s violent, magnificent and scandalous 1966 novel. Following a successful theatrical release, the title will now be released on DVD by Revolver Entertainment on 25th April.

One of the most controversial films ever to be shown in British cinemas, Ma Mère has garnered rave reviews at screenings and festivals around the world, including France (Cannes Film Market), Belgium, Russia (Moscow Film Festival), Italy, Canada (Toronto Film Festival and Vancouver International Film Festival) and the London Film Festival 2004, where extra screenings had to be held following two sold out showings.

SYLVIA SYMS HOSTS A CHARITY SCREENING OF

‘ICE COLD IN ALEX’

The first Help the Aged classic film series kicks off with the screening of the classic wartime adventure ‘Ice Cold in Alex’, and is to take place on Thursday 2 June 2005 in aid of the Charity’s Elder Abuse Campaign. Hosted by one of the stars of the film, Sylvia Syms, this exclusive screening is organised by the Arts for Age Committee, a sub committee of Stage for Age – the celebrity arm of Help the Aged.

Movie Legend Sylvia Syms, who plays the role of Sister Diana Murdoch in the film, will introduce the film and reveal many of the secrets behind the making of this classic movie.

She will also take questions from the audience after the screening.

The film, set in a war zone in 1942 Libya, sees a British ambulance officer escape the siege in Tobruk and try to get his passengers to safety in Alexandra – where he dreams he will have an ‘ice cold’ glass of beer. His passengers include a stranded nurse, a Sergeant Major and a stray South African Officer –although not all is what it seems with all the passengers.

All money raised from this event will go towards the Help the Aged Elder Abuse Campaign. Half a million older people are at risk of abuse right now – either psychological, financial, physical and sexual. The problem affects men and women, both rich and poor. Shockingly, much of this abuse takes place in people’s own homes.

This special screening of the wartime classic adventure ‘Ice Cold in Alex’ will take place at the Cine Lumiere, Institut Francais, 17 Queensberry Place, South Kensington SW7 2DT, from 6.30pm-10.30pm. Tickets are limited and are priced at £50 per person, which includes a champagne and canapé reception.

To purchase a ticket, or for more information, please contact Sara Goodburn at Help the Aged on 0207 239 1926 or email sara.goodburn@helptheaged.org.uk. Alternatively write to Sara Goodburn, Help the Aged, 207-221 Pentonville Road, London N1 9UZ.