Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo Lead an All-Star Cast in touching story of courage, faith and hope

Contact: Lesley Burbridge-Bates, Motive Marketing, 615-414-7573, lesley@motivemarketing.biz

MEDIA ADVISORY, October 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- Three faith-based marketing companies, Motive Entertainment, who shepherded the grassroots marketing campaigns for Passion of the Christ, Polar Express and Chronicles of Narnia, Grace Hill Media (Pursuit of Happyness, Walk the Line, Evan Almighty), and Liquid Soul Media (Lakeview Terrace, First Sunday, The Gospel, This Christmas) are helping spread the word about THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES which opens nationwide on Friday, October 17, 2008.

Efforts include a new website (www.beesresources.com) for faith leaders and teachers that is offering free movie tickets, an Inspirational Discussion Guide, word-of-mouth screenings, and promotional opportunities through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU's), in addition to the "Adopt a Theater" program (www.adoptatheater.com/bee_welcome.htm) which enables churches, schools, and other organizations to earn a $1.00 rebate for every ticket sold.

Based on the New York Times best selling novel by Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees is a moving tale of courage, hope and inspiration. Starring Queen Latifah, Dakota Fanning, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and Sophie Okonedo, a powerhouse ensemble of women from the world of music and film, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES is the touching story about the need for love, sisterhood and redemption that explores the undeniable desire for a sense of belonging and the often daunting journeys that we must navigate to achieve it.

Set in South Carolina, the home of the intelligent and independent honey-making Boatwright sisters (Latifah, Keys, and Okonedo) is suddenly thrust into upheaval with the arrival of fourteen year-old Lily Owens (Fanning) and her caretaker Rosaleen (Hudson). Surrounded by the unexpected comforts, grace and deep rooted spirituality Lily (Fanning) encounters in the Boatwright home, she soon forms a maternal bond with each of these women whose unique and special gifts help reconcile the loss of her mother. Through the strength and female empowerment that embodies the Boatwright sisters, Lily ultimately comes to the realization that sometimes you must leave home in order to find it.

"We applaud this movie's themes of forgiveness, faith, friendship and hope," said Motive CEO, Paul Lauer, "and the new Resources website will enable leaders and teachers to build on those themes. The situations are so topical to today - the right to vote, race relations, family struggles. Though sprinkled with the reality of occasional bad language that will make it difficult for some viewers to appreciate this film, we believe teens and adults - especially women - will be inspired by its messages, especially the struggle for freedom," Lauer said.

"Playing Rosaleen, helped me understand a part of history," said Academy Award-winning actress Jennifer Hudson in her recent interview with Precious Times Magazine. "You have to know where you've come from to know where you're going, and you need to know what mistakes you've made so you don't make them again."

Ms. Hudson believes the message of faith is particularly important in the film, as the central character Lily (Dakota Fanning) struggles to find forgiveness and freedom. "I think faith is what led Lily ... what got them through it. Faith, strength, and love," Hudson said in a behind-the-scenes interview.

The www.beesresources.com resource website for churches, schools, families and organizations features free movie tickets, movie trailers and clips, movie overview, endorsements, and a leader's Discussion Guide.

Press materials and movie assets are available at www.beesresources.com/pressroom.php.

Radio stations and websites are invited to participate in a movie ticket give-away promotion at www.beesresources.com/ticketgiveaway.php .

Visit the MySpace site at www.MySpace.com/SecretLifeofBeesMovie.

About The Secret Life of Bees book: The book has sold more than 5 million copies, spent over two years on the New York Times bestseller list and been published in 35 countries. It was awarded the 2004 Book Sense Paperback book of the Year, nominated for the Orange Prize in England, and chosen as Good Morning America's Read This! Book Club pick. Taught widely now in college and high school classrooms, The Secret Life of Bees is fast becoming a modern classic. It has been produced on stage in New York by The American Place Theater and has now been adapted into THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES movie by Fox Searchlight.