(Cannes) May 15, 2000 - Against the backdrop of Troma Entertainment's festival-long "All the Love You Cannes" campaign, Troma president and co-founder Lloyd Kaufman announced a surprising, multi-million dollar deal which may be the biggest in Troma's 25-year history. Troma Entertainment has purchased The Roan Group, the leader in archival restoration, to bring the finest digitally mastered classic films to a wider audience.

The Roan Group legacy began in 1992 with the critically acclaimed laserdisc of the Bela Lugosi masterpiece White Zombie. Troma will carry on this legacy and expand The Roan Group's DVD library that already includes over 60 Westerns, Dramas, Musicals, and classic films of all genres starring John Wayne, James Cagney, and Roy Rogers to name a few. In addition, for the first time ever Roan's fine motion pictures will be available on VHS, starting again with the classic White Zombie. Also for the first time, these pristine restorations-many from original film elements-will be available internationally.

The Roan Group has been featured on Siskel & Ebert, and Leonard Maltin and Entertainment Weekly have praised The Roan Group's restoration quality. Video Watchdog writes that Roan's "White Zombie proves that a pristine image is still the most important," and Films in Review asserts, "Cary Roan has done film history a service."

According to Roan, "I joined the Troma Team due to the fact that they have the support staff, the marketing channels, and the desire to expand to classic and nostalgic films on DVD and VHS…"

In his announcement, Kaufman stated, "Every member of the Troma Team shares one thing in common: a genuine love of movies. Cary Roan has proven himself to be the film lover's best friend with his painstaking restorations that make these movies look as good as or better than they've ever looked before. Troma is proud to help get these films off the shelves and back on to screens where they belong."

Marketing and distribution of Roan Group films will operate through the New York offices of Troma Entertainment, who will continue to release numerous titles from its own library.

Roan states, "I will work with Troma in both consulting and producer capacities to ensure the films continue to have the quality that has been our leading feature," and concludes, "The best movies are yet to come from The Roan Group."

For more information, contact: Doug Sakmann
The Troma Love Chapel
Carlton Hotel, Suites 264 & 265
04-93-06-4264

Mike Butler
Roan Group Archival Entertainment
c/o Troma Entertainment
733 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10019
Tel: (800) TROMA-33 Fax: (212) 957-4497
Email: mbutler@troma.com

Click here to visit the Roan Group Store!