LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 04/05/2007 --

WHO: Lasse Hallstrom, Oscar-nominated Director ("Cider House Rules," "The Hoax"), film & entertainment industry leaders, actors, directors, writers, producers, cinematographers, culture and visual arts aficionados: hosted by Steven Gaydos, Executive Editor of Daily Variety.

WHAT: The gala Opening of Beyond Blond 2007 featuring a Tribute to Academy Award-winning Cinematographer Sven Nykvist and Private Viewing of Hammer Projects: Ola Pehrson. Special screening of "Light Keeps Me Company," Sven Nykvist's son Carl Gustaf Nykvist's moving documentary film about his father's work, private life and celebrated collaboration with Ingmar Bergman.

WHEN: Tuesday April 10th, 2007 at 7:00pm

Screening and Tribute start at 7:00pm followed by a cocktail reception and innauguration of Beyond Blond. Admission to screening free. Reception by invitation only.

WHERE: The Billy Wilder Theater, Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024

PRESS INFO: Lyn Winter, (323) 788 4551 or lyn@lynwinter.com

BACKGROUND: Sven Nykvist, who died in 2006 at 83 years old, worked on over 120 films. His work is noted for its naturalism, simplicity and an extraordinary, poetic use of light. Nykvist won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for two of his movies, "Cries and Whispers" (1973), and "Fanny and Alexander" (1982), both of which were Bergman films. He collaborated extensively with directors outside Sweden including Louis Malle ("Pretty Baby"), Philip Kaufman ("The Unbearable Lightness of Being"), Bob Fosse ("Star 80"), Nora Ephron ("Sleepless in Seattle"), Woody Allen ("Another Woman," "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and "Celebrity"), Richard Attenborough ("Chaplin") and his fellow Swede Lasse Hallstrom ("What's Eating Gilbert Grape"). Beyond Blond 2007 (www.beyondblond.org) is organized to promote business opportunities for Swedish and American companies, as well as knowledge and interest about Sweden in the U.S. Swedish culture, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit, design, art, architecture, music, literature, life sciences and film will be showcased at various Southern California venues during the four-week period, as well as in San Francisco and Seattle.