PO screens Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1:00pm at the Tivoli Theatre as part of this year’s St. Louis International Film Festival. Director John Asher and actor Julian Feder will be in attendance. Ticket information can be found HERE.
Based on a true story, PO tests the bonds of love between a grieving father and son. When David Wilson’s young wife falls victim to cancer, he is left a single working dad with the sole responsibility of caring for his autistic son. Patrick (Julian Feder), who prefers to be called Po, is a gifted but challenged child who was very close to his mother and unable to communicate his own sense of loss. As father and son struggle to deal with life after mom, they each begin to withdraw. David (Christopher Gorham) is consumed by the high-pressure job he’s close to losing, and Po copes with the bullying in his sixth-grade classroom by escaping into his magical fantasy world, the Land of Color, where he’s just a typical carefree boy with a rich cast of companions. The challenge of serving as the single parent of a special-needs child creates a growing divide between father and son, threatening to separate David and Po permanently.
Po, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® balloon from KUNG FU PANDA made a stop in St. Louis at Kiener Plaza, in front of the St. Louis Gateway Arch, on Friday, April 22nd during his 6 city tour! DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. and Macy’s previously announced that KUNG FU PANDA’s Po would embark on the first-ever U.S. tour of an official Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® balloon. Po’s tour of awesomeness through Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Phoenix and St. Louis will culminate in his debut visit to Los Angeles to mark the opening of KUNG FU PANDA 2 this Memorial Day weekend.
Even though the inclement weather conditions did not permit for Po to be fully inflated, fans were able to catch a glimpse of The Dragon Warrior.
Po’s appearance in St. Louis coincided with a day of family-friendly festivities, which were all open to the public. Many families turned out and were treated to complimentary pictures via a photo booth from Tom Paule Photography, The Pet Doctor, Sarah’s Cake Stop cupcake truck with KUNG FU KUPCAKES and free face painting.
One of the highlights was the martial arts demonstration by ATA Martial Arts, alongside a chinese dragon.
At 42-feet tall, 46-feet long and 34-feet wide, here’s a photo of Po at The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The balloon is truly larger-than-life and is posed in one of Po’s signature martial arts moves from the DreamWorks Animation feature film.
Said Anne Globe, head of Worldwide Marketing for DreamWorks Animation, “We are thrilled to join forces once again with our friends at Macy’s, who have done an incredible job of bringing our character of Po to life as a giant balloon for audiences to enjoy at the annual Macy’s parade and now in cities across the country. This first-ever premiere event is an exciting way to help kick off the summer movie season.”
Amy Kule, executive producer of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade commented on how this special tour will bring Po closer to fans nationwide and launch the highly anticipated sequel, KUNG FU PANDA 2.
In KUNG FU PANDA 2, Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
KUNG FU PANDA 2 will be distributed by Paramount Pictures nationwide on May 26th and features the voice talents of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride, Victor Garber, Dennis Heysbert and Jean-Claude Van Damme.
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for three consecutive years. In 2011, DreamWorks Animation ranks #10 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 21 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.
About Paramount Pictures Corporation
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. The company’s labels include Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. PPC operations also include Paramount Digital Entertainment, Paramount Famous Productions, Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., Paramount Studio Group and Paramount Television & Digital Distribution.
About Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For more than 80 years, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a more than 2-mile route in New York City with more than 8,000 participants in tow including Macy’s employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. The Parade also features America’s best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macy’s signature giant helium character balloons. For more information on the Macy’s Parade please visit www.macysparade.com.
We had Po in town over the weekend to promote KUNG FU PANDA 2, which opens in theaters on May 26th.
On Friday Po made a stop in front of the St. Louis Arch and greeted fans as he made his way through downtown St. Louis! I was there, and let me tell you… that panda knows how to party!!!
Po was acting up so I had to tell him “No! Bad Panda!”
I even interviewed him… As you can see by this picture I had to make sure my hair was as fancy as he is!
Po also greeted hundreds of hungry customers at the weekly All-Saints Fish Fry on Friday evening, April 8th, where Po helped serve up some fish and a whole lot of fun to all the families in attendance!
On Saturday, April 9th, Po kicked off the Go! St. Louis Marathon’s Family Fitness Day where he welcomed over 25,000 kids and their parents from more than 185 St. Louis area elementary and middle schools participating in the annual Kids’ Fun Run. Po greeted the thousands of kids as they made their way to the start of the race and he was on-hand at the Finish Line to congratulate them on a successful race!
SYNOPSIS:
Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five – Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. It is up to Po and The Furious Five to journey across China to face this threat and vanquish it. But how can Po stop a weapon that can stop kung fu? He must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Check out this new video of Baby Po! The giant panda cub is now making routine appearances with his mother Lun Lun on exhibit at Zoo Atlanta, where his daily adventures are charming a new generation of guests.
Oh, that’s so cute I can’t take it!
Now that he is mobile, Po has newly discovered climbing, as well as the joy of wrestling with Lun Lun. As with her previous offspring, the three-time mother is a patient and gentle playmate for the 4-month-old cub, who now weighs around 15 pounds.
Fans can get see Po and Mom on the PandaCam HERE presented by EarthCam, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on zooatlanta.org. Po’s father, 13-year-old Yang Yang Yang, and older brother, 2-year-old Xi Lan, are also on exhibit daily.
Just last month, officials at Zoo Atlanta and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. made a joint announcement that the only giant panda cub born in the U.S. in 2010 had a name: Po. The name was a tribute to the lead character, Po the panda, in the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film, KUNG FU PANDA 2, which will be distributed by Paramount Pictures starting on May 26, 2011.
The announcement was made by representatives from Zoo Atlanta and DreamWorks Animation, the official sponsor of the 100 Day Giant Panda Cub Celebration and the naming of Po. Actor Jack Black, who voiced the iconic character of Po the panda in Kung Fu Panda – which grossed over $630 million at the worldwide box office – and who will reprise his role in the upcoming sequel, was present for the naming of the newborn panda cub.
In the Kung Fu Panda films, Po is an unlikely hero challenged by preconceived notions of what a kung fu warrior should be. Following the likeable but clumsy Po and his allies on a series of adventures, the films celebrate the power of self-worth and the ability of an individual to affect positive change. DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 starring Jack Black will be in theaters May 26, 2011! Visit the film on Facebook here and on Twitter here.
These themes are equally fitting for the giant panda cub. He is an ambassador for his species, helping to draw attention to the plight of giant pandas in the wild. Born to Lun Lun on November 3, 2010, the 4-month-old now known as Po is already proving to be a great ambassador.
About Zoo Atlanta
An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Opening in March 2011 is Complex Carnivores, a new series of exhibits featuring bush dogs, fossa and binturong. Zoo Atlanta is also proud to be one of only four zoos in the U.S. that giant pandas call home: Lun Lun’s newest cub, born November 3, 2010, makes his public debut in spring 2011. Other highlights include the nation’s largest collection of western lowland gorillas, the nation’s largest zoological collection of orangutans and a global center of excellence for the care and study of vanishing reptiles and amphibians. The Zoo is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, call 404.624.WILD or visit zooatlanta.org.
About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for three consecutive years. In 2011, DreamWorks Animation ranks #10 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 21 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek , Madagascar , Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.
100 Day Celebration Features Appearance by Actor Jack Black from “Kung Fu Panda” and “Kung Fu Panda 2”
ATLANTA – February 15, 2011 ― Officials at Zoo Atlanta and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) have issued a joint announcement that the only giant panda cub born in the U.S. in 2010 has a name: Po . The name is a tribute to the lead character, Po the panda, in the upcoming DreamWorks Animation film, KUNG FU PANDA 2, which will be distributed by Paramount Pictures starting on May 26, 2011.
The announcement was made this morning by representatives from Zoo Atlanta and DreamWorks Animation, the official sponsor of the 100 Day Giant Panda Cub Celebration and the naming of Po. Actor Jack Black, who voiced the iconic character of Po the panda in Kung Fu Panda – which grossed over $630 million at the worldwide box office – and who will reprise his role in the upcoming sequel, was present for the naming of the newborn panda cub.
“Today’s announcement is the beginning of an amazing alliance between Zoo Atlanta and DreamWorks Animation. Our organizations share a commitment to giant panda conservation, particularly at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding,” said Raymond B. King, President and CEO of Zoo Atlanta. “We are proud and honored to share this moment with Jack Black, who has already helped to bring the importance of saving this species to a new generation of conservationists.”
Giant pandas are among the world’s rarest mammals, with fewer than 1,600 believed to remain in the wild. The giant panda program at Zoo Atlanta supports conservation programs at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and in nature reserves in China.
In the Kung Fu Panda films, Po is an unlikely hero challenged by preconceived notions of what a kung fu warrior should be. Following the likeable but clumsy Po and his allies on a series of adventures, the films celebrate the power of self-worth and the ability of an individual to affect positive change.
These themes are equally fitting for the giant panda cub. He is an ambassador for his species, helping to draw attention to the plight of giant pandas in the wild. Born to Lun Lun on November 3, 2010, the 3-month-old now known as Po is already proving to be a great ambassador. Followed by thousands of fans on the world-famous PandaCam presented by EarthCam, the cub is expected to make his public debut in late March or early April. View the PandaCam at www.zooatlanta.org/pandacam.
About Zoo Atlanta
An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Zoo Atlanta inspires value and preservation of wildlife through a unique mix of education and outdoor family fun. From well-known native wildlife to critically endangered species on the brink of extinction, the Zoo offers memorable close encounters with more than 1,000 animals from around the world. Opening in March 2011 is Complex Carnivores, a new series of exhibits featuring bush dogs, fossa and binturong. Zoo Atlanta is also proud to be one of only four zoos in the U.S. that giant pandas call home: Lun Lun’s newest cub, born November 3, 2010, makes his public debut in spring 2011. Other highlights include the nation’s largest collection of western lowland gorillas, the nation’s largest zoological collection of orangutans and a global center of excellence for the care and study of vanishing reptiles and amphibians. The Zoo is open daily with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Keeper talks, interactive wildlife shows, education programs and special events run year-round. For more information, call 404.624.WILD or visit zooatlanta.org.
About DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. DreamWorks Animation has been named one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” by FORTUNE® Magazine for three consecutive years. In 2011, DreamWorks Animation ranks #10 on the list. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 21 animated feature films, including the franchise properties of Shrek , Madagascar , Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Make sure to send your friends & family a special Valentine’s Day greeting from Po on Facebook by clicking HERE.
Synopsis:
Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five – Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and and destroy kung fu. It is up to Po and and The Furious Five to journey across China to face this threat and vanquish it. But how can Po stop a weapon that can stop kung fu? He must look to his past and uncover the secrets to his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 starring Jack Black will be in theaters May 26, 2011! Visit the film on Facebook here and on Twitter here.
DreamWorks Animation wants you to forget GULLIVER”S TRAVELS and remember that Jack Black will be starring in KUNG FU PANDA 2 with this little teaser.
Synopsis:
Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five – Tigress, Crane, Mantis, Viper and Monkey. But Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and and destroy kung fu. It is up to Po and and The Furious Five to journey across China to face this threat and vanquish it. But how can Po stop a weapon that can stop kung fu? He must look to his past and uncover the secrets to his mysterious origins; only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.
Next Summer, Prepare for the Return of Awesomeness! DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 starring Jack Black is in theaters May 2011! Follow them on Twitter here.
