BIG RIG the movie

While browsing the Internet in between answering my email I came across this guy flick opening announcement in Motor Trend’s Truck Trend. If you haven’t heard about Big Rig, read on.

Media Films will release a new documentary called Big Rig with plans to bring the film on the open road visiting truck stops across the nation. The documentary offers an eye-opening look into the world of American truck drivers and shows just how crucial this industry is in America.


From acclaimed director Doug Pray, Big Rig is a portrait of modern America as seen through the eyes of long-haul truck drivers, the people who know this country in unimaginable ways. The film, which features a powerful musical score by acclaimed Canadian hip hop artist Buck 65, was financed by international sales company, Ocule Films, produced by Brad Blondheim and Executive Produced by Kirt Eftekhar and Randy Wooten. Richard Abramowitz repped the sale.

Though it is filled with gorgeous roadside vistas, the documentary is really about the people you meet along the way, the struggles they face, and what America would face if one day the trucking industry just shut down. Big Rig is a powerful and insightful documentary that will give viewers a new appreciation for the industry which drives the country. Now word comes that many of America's driving force are planning to strike. According to USA Today, there is no organized union effort, but that with "mounting diesel fuel costs and shrinking profits, some truckers nationwide are making plans to protest this week by parking their semis or clogging traffic by driving slowly."

On June 3rd, in addition to being available for purchase on DVD, Screen Media Films will bring the documentary to the trucking community and other mainstream venues in a radical and innovative, non-traditional theatrical release. Truckers will be able to see Big Rig when the documentary hits the open road on the "Big Rig Summer Tour 2008," stopping at over 25 TA/Petro truck stops across the nation through the end of August. The "Big Rig Summer Tour 2008" will be presented by SIRIUS Satellite Radio's Road Dog Trucking Radio, an exclusive 24/7 channel for Professional Drivers. Road Dog Trucking Radio features news, information and entertainment designed to lighten the load. The filmmakers have been frequent guests on Road Dog since completing Big Rig, and have produced a short doc about the channel's show Freewheelin' with Meredith Ochs and Chris T. "One thing we discovered while filming was that truckers rely heavily on SIRIUS Satellite Radio, Idleaire, and Truck Stops for their entertainment. It was always important for us to embrace these companies in our release strategy for `Big Rig'" said the film's producer Brad Blondheim. "We are thrilled to be working with Screen Media Films on this release and experimenting with the possibilities of film distribution." "It's hard for any film to survive in today's marketplace and it's especially hard for documentaries. You have to be creative," said Screen Media Films President Robert Baruc. "This film is so important for America to see. We didn't want it dying after a two city run so we are taking a radical approach to get it out to the masses." "When we saw the opportunity to get out on the road with a film like this, bringing it to our exact demographic, we had to take it." Said Suzanne Blech, Senior Vice President of Sales & Acquisitions for Screen Media Films.

Spanning 21,000 miles, 45 states, and dozens of truck stops, the film delves deeply into the lives and personal struggles of these working-class heroes, who are, literally, carrying the nation upon their backs. Rising gas prices and the unprecedented costs of diesel fuel have stunned businesses into trying to cut fuel consumption any way they can. Transport companies of all types are trimming staff and the few truckers left are packing their lunches and putting off maintenance.



I’ve always been one to praise the hard work of our truckers. In my decades in the industry I have had the privilege to talk with quite a few amazing truckers. They keep moving and thus keep America well stocked with an overabundance of all we need.

Moving forward,

Jeff Roach
www.brooketraining.com