The Other Boleyn Girl Virtual Book Club Contest Announces Winner

Following the enthusiastic response to The Other Boleyn Girl Virtual Book Club Contest, celebrating the book by Philippa Gregory and the film from Columbia Pictures/Focus Features, now playing in theaters nationwide, the studio has named a winner. Jennifer R. of Menifee, California, who organized a book club of over 200 members, will receive a trip for two to London, England from VisitBritain, the UK's national tourism agency. The trip includes roundtrip airfare for two to London, four nights' hotel accommodations, two general entrance tickets to the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace, and the opportunity to meet with Philippa Gregory. In addition, each registered member of the club Jennifer organized will receive a copy of The Other Boleyn Girl, prizing provided by Simon & Schuster.

Borders, together with Sony Pictures and the Virtual Book Club, has named the three sites of its Royal Hall Events, invitation-only parties celebrating the three areas with the most registered members. The events will each take place across the country on one night, Saturday, March 29, at 7 PM, at Borders stores located at 12370 South Main Street in Rancho Cucamonga, CA; 4475 Roswell Road in Marietta, GA; and 290 Commons Way in Bridgewater Township, NJ. During Royal Hall Events, customers and fans will have the opportunity experience life in the time of the Boleyn sisters and King Henry's Royal Court.

Commenting on the announcement, Dwight Caines, executive vice president of worldwide digital marketing strategy, said, "The Virtual Book Club was an astounding success. The Other Boleyn Girl has been championed by book clubs everywhere because the novel's compelling story, rich characters, and enduring themes provoke stimulating conversation. We wanted to give those readers a forum to discuss the novel, and with the contest, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to chat about the book with the woman who wrote it. Congratulations to Jennifer and to the readers of Rancho Cucamonga, Marietta, and Bridgewater Township."

Based on the best selling novel by Philippa Gregory, The Other Boleyn Girl is an engrossing and sensual tale of intrigue, romance, and betrayal set against the backdrop of a defining moment in history. Two sisters, Anne (Natalie Portman) and Mary (Scarlett Johansson) Boleyn, are driven by their ambitious father and uncle to advance the family's power and status by courting the affections of the King of England (Eric Bana). Leaving behind the simplicity of country life, the girls are thrust into the dangerous and thrilling world of court life - and what began as a bid to help their family develops into a ruthless rivalry between Anne and Mary for the love of the king. Initially, Mary wins King Henry's favor and becomes his mistress, bearing him an illegitimate child. But Anne, clever, conniving, and fearless, edges aside both her sister and Henry's wife, Queen Katherine of Aragon, in her relentless pursuit of the king. Despite Mary's genuine feelings for Henry, her sister Anne has her sights set on the ultimate prize; Anne will not stop until she is Queen of England. As the Boleyn girls battle for the love of a king - one driven by ambition, the other by true affection - England is torn apart. Despite the dramatic consequences, the Boleyn girls ultimately find strength and loyalty in each other, and they remain forever connected by their bond as sisters. The film is directed by Justin Chadwick. The screenplay is by Peter Morgan, based on the novel by Philippa Gregory. Alison Owen is the producer. Scott Rudin and David M. Thompson are the executive producers.

About Columbia Pictures

Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/.

About Borders, Inc.

Borders is a subsidiary of Borders Group, Inc., a $4.1 billion global retailer of books, music, movies, periodicals and gift and stationery items with over 30,000 employees and more than 1,100 stores worldwide primarily operating under the Borders® and Waldenbooks® brand names. Currently, there are over 500 Borders superstores in the U.S. that carry up to 200,000 titles. Customers enjoy a comfortable shopping experience, as well as a host of in-store events and community-centered activities when they visit their local Borders stores. For more information, visit www.bordersgroupinc.com.

  For further information contact:

  Steve Elzer
  Senior Vice President, Media Relations
  Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group
  (310) 244-7142
  steve_elzer@spe.sony.com

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

SOURCE: Columbia Pictures

CONTACT: Steve Elzer, Senior Vice President, Media Relations of Columbia
TriStar Motion Picture Group, +1-310-244-7142 , steve_elzer@spe.sony.com

Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/
http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/