Nicely Entertainment has picked up global rights to director Ate de Jong’s romantic drama “My Country Heart,” which features 17 original songs.

“We’re thrilled to be representing ‘My Country Heart.’ The film offers amazing original music, uplifting romance and is certain to find its stride with global audiences,” Vanessa Shapiro, Nicely’s CEO said in a statement. “Additionally, Director Ate de Jong is an incredible filmmaker with an impressive career. His hit comedy ‘Drop Dead Fred’ is now regarded as a groundbreaking picture dealing deftly and comically with complex issues.

“With ‘My Country Heart,’ De Jong has again made a cutting-edge film that takes an unorthodox look at ambitious young artists struggling to face the compromises required in the tough world of show business. But De Jong brings out the idealism and romance of the story, while taking a scathing look at the realities of today’s reality TV.”

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“My Country Heart” co-writer and co-producer Steven Gaydos, a veteran screenwriter and Hollywood journalist whose previous credits include Monte Hellman’s Venice Festival Golden Lion winner, “Road to Nowhere,” received a career achievement award earlier this year at Fantasporto, where it premiered in competition under the title “Heart Strings.”

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The film follows two young singer-songwriters struggling to make it big in the competitive world of American country music and, in additional to its original songs, has a score by composer Randy Edelman and a theme song performed by the Bellamy Brothers.

“We wanted to make a film that would speak to young audiences today who are facing intense challenges in both their private and personal lives,” De Jong said. “Since Nicely Entertainment emerged less than five years ago as a major producer and distributor of films that are wonderfully entertaining, values-driven and thoughtful, we’re confident that ‘My Country Heart’ will reach that key audience here in America and around the world.”

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