featuring Magi Avila & Michael Warkentin
Award-Winning Film - Altitude Not Attitude
Award-Winning Film - Altitude Not Attitude
LOS ANGELES, CA - 05/05/2021 - Imagine the nicest, liveliest, most gregarious self-made entrepreneur you could ever hope to meet. This is Southern California born and bred financial advisor, Michael Warkentin. Then recognize that he also happens to be quadriplegic. Altitude Not Attitude follows one man’s ambitious once-in-a-lifetime global adventure, traveling around the world amongst gorgeous European landmarks and spectacular vistas, all while exploring the six phases of recovery to which everyone who has experienced tragedy can relate. The uplifting and award-winning documentary premieres on Apple+TV and ITUNES on June 8th distributed by Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios Company. The feature film marks a directorial debut for the promising Hispanic actress-turned filmmaker Magi Avila (A Better Life, Dog Eat Dog, First Kill).
Watch Trailer: Altitude Not Attitude Documentary trailer #1
Altitude Not Attitude (aka Untie Me) is the true inspirational life story of the vital, vibrant, type-A man, Michael Warkentin, who, at age 22, became a quadriplegic after a terrible three-story accidental fall that broke his neck. Despite his becoming disabled, Michael overcame suicidal thoughts once his fun-loving, thrill-seeking positive attitude focused him on ways to lead a magnificent life. As depicted in the film, his journey is a testament to resilience and overachievement. The film won ‘Best Documentary’ at the Spotlight Documentary Awards and Virgin Spring Cinefest and was an official selection at 13 other film festivals.
“Altitude Not Attitude is the type of film that dispenses with saccharine and instead, filmmaker Magi Avila presents a wonderful and frank look at life with a disability. Michael’s candor and his inspiring story has something for everyone, framed within the perspective of a life lived fully no matter the odds,” said Gravitas Ventures Acquisitions Coordinator Megan Huggins.
“Michael Warkentin is a larger than life character. His wit, humor, and courageous approach to life drew me in to make this film and share his empowering story with the world,” says director Avila.
“Working with Magi Avila was an absolute gift as her insight and film experience was a positive influence that has touched me deeply and surely will inspire others for generations to come,” says Michael Warkentin.
Magi Avila is emerging as a powerful multi-hyphenate voice from and for the Hispanic community. Her most recent TV Series streaming on Amazon Prime is My American Family featuring actor, producer and entrepreneur, Danny Trejo. The series was nominated for a 2021 Cannes World Film Festival Web Series-TV Award. Avila began her successful career in Mexican films, Television, TV News, Theater, and Opera Performances. Since coming to Hollywood, she has appeared in notable projects with Bruce Willis and Hayden Christensen in First Kill, in Dog Eat Dog with Nicolas Cage and Willem Dafoe, in A Better Life with Demian Bichir and Joaquin Cosio, and in the TV Series Training Day with the late Bill Paxton. She gives back to her community and coaches young talent on breaking through entertainment industry barriers. Under her new Kepler 22 Group banner, Avila is currently reviewing scripts and projects and preparing for her upcoming roles.
View Trailer: Altitude Not Attitude Documentary trailer #1
About Gravitas Ventures
Gravitas Ventures, a Red Arrow Studios company, is a leading all rights distributor of independent feature films and documentaries. Founded in 2006, Gravitas connects independent filmmakers and producers with distribution opportunities across the globe. Working with talented directors and producers, Gravitas Ventures has distributed thousands of films into over a hundred million homes in North America - over one billion homes worldwide. Recent releases include “The Secret: Dare to Dream,” directed by Andy Tennant and starring Katie Holmes; “End of Sentence'' starring Logan Lerman and John Hawkes; “Looks that Kill,” “Tread,” “Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk,” narrated by Bill Murray, Colin Hanks' “All Things Must Pass;” and the recently released “Our Friend “starring Casey Affleck, Dakota Johnson, and Jason Segel. For more information, please visitgravitasventures.com, and follow @GravitasVOD on Twitter and @gravitasventures on Instagram.
About Red Arrow Studios
Red Arrow Studios is one of the world's leading creators and distributors of entertainment content, comprised of an acclaimed network of international production companies and labels in seven territories; world-leading digital studio, Studio71, based in six countries; and global film and TV distributors Red Arrow Studios International and Gravitas Ventures. The group's significant output includes scripted, non-scripted, and formatted content and IP, from TV and film to short-form and branded content, made for an array of global networks and platforms. Red Arrow Studios is part of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE, one of Europe's leading media groups. redarrowstudios.com
