New People Entertainment Releases Documentary Of AKB48 - To Be Continued on DVD and Digital on December 1st
New Music Biopic Traces The Rise To International Fame Of Japan's Most Popular Pop Idol Group; Special DVD Online Promotion Offers A Second NEW PEOPLE Film Title With Any Pre-Order Purchase
San Francisco, CA – November 14, 2011 – NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced the release of DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued on DVD on Thursday, December 1st. The new music biopic follows the unstoppable all-female Japanese pop idol group, AKB48, on their incredible rise to fame, and will be sold exclusively online for $19.99 through the NEW PEOPLE store at: store.newpeopleworld.com.
DVD pre-orders will begin today. For a limited time, NEW PEOPLE is offering a FREE bonus DVD title from its catalog to all pre-order purchasers. Select from a list of available titles. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued will also be available to stream online at newpeoplechannel.com for $4.99 (for a 48 hour rental) beginning December 1st. The DVD will be available from Amazon by mid-December. Follow NEW PEOPLE Entertainment on Facebook and Twitter for updates.
AKB48 was conceived in 2005 by Yasushi Akimoto, one of Japan's most respected music producers. Beginning as a small all-girl singing group based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo – the city's bustling electronics and anime/pop culture shopping Mecca – AKB48 has grown to 60 members and topped Japan's Oricon music charts with the two best-selling pop singles in 2010 as well as another two singles ranking in the Top 10.
“AKB48 created an entirely new format for pop groups and their fame has spread internationally,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “This insightful documentary captures AKB48 on-stage and behind the scenes and offers a candid look into the member's lives and the phenomenal notoriety that surrounds the group. We invite J-Pop and music fans to visit the NEW PEOPLE store online to get the new DVD and to take advantage of a special offer to receive a second DVD title from the NEW PEOPLE film catalog!” With a complicated balance of competition and friendship among its members, the group's bond is extremely strong. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued traces AKB48's history with scenes from concerts and rehearsals, member general elections, and fan activities both in Japan and abroad. The film also includes personal interviews with select members that reveal each of the girls' personal struggles, joys, path to growth, and dreams.
One unique aspect of AKB48 is that the group is divided into “Teams.” When AKB48 debuted in 2005, originally there were only 24 girls. Now there are 16 girls each on Team A, Team K, and Team B, who are the core members of the group. In addition, there are trainees who are aspiring members. Members total to around 60 girls as some graduate and some new members come in. In the recent years AKB48 has begun holding elections to determine the members who will participate in the recording of upcoming singles. Fans vote for their favorites and the girl ranked Number 1 performs at the center of the group.
About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleworld.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the "Kingdom of Pop" for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and Anime Generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.
