DIRECTV and Brainstorm Media Partner to Present Socially Relevant and Critically Acclaimed Documentaries on TV and in Theaters This Fall
"Something to Talk About" to Feature Broadcast Premieres of
Award-Winning Documentaries, including "Battle for Brooklyn," and "Big
Boys Gone Bananas!*," Exclusively on DIRECTV's Audience
Network and in Theatres
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
DIRECTV's Audience Network, known for its daring entertainment
programming, will take viewers a step further into the realm of the
deeply provocative with the premiere of Something to Talk About, a
series of socially and culturally relevant documentaries presented in
association with Brainstorm Media, beginning in October exclusively on
DIRECTV. In certain cities, the films will be screened in theaters
starting in late September and, in select locations, will include live
discussions following the screenings.
The twelve-part series will kick-off with the broadcast premiere of BATTLE
FOR BROOKLYN, on Saturday, Oct. 20 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. which will be
followed by BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 9:00
p.m. ET/PT. From award-winning and acclaimed writers and directors, each
documentary will include a special, hosted introduction and will
conclude with a filmmaker interview that provides an update on the
current state of the documentary issue. The films will also be available
on DIRECTV on Demand, DIRECTV Everywhere, on home video and via
electronic sell-thru.
"At Audience Network, we have had success in providing our customers
with critically acclaimed, award-winning dramas and comedies," said
Patty Ishimoto, VP Entertainment, G.M. of Audience Network & n3D. "With Something
to Talk About, we are going even further with diverse and
thought-provoking documentaries that will generate a spark among our
viewers and engage them in a dialogue about the relevant, impactful
events and topics these films address."
Meyer Shwarzstein, president of Brainstorm Media, stated, "Our team has
been perfecting this idea for the past few years and we are thrilled
that DIRECTV has come on board. With their commitment to documentaries,
their sophisticated audience and their willingness to support the
filmmakers and movies, we couldn't be happier."
BATTLE for BROOKLYN is an intensely intimate look at the very
public and passionate fight waged by owners and residents facing
condemnation of their property to make way for the controversial
Atlantic Yards project, a massive plan to build sixteen skyscrapers and
a basketball arena for the New Jersey Nets in the heart of Brooklyn.
Shot over seven years and compiled from almost 500 hours of footage, BATTLE
for BROOKLYN is an epic tale of how far people will go to fight for
what they believe in. The film is a character-driven verite that also
addresses the broader social, economic, and political ramifications of
condemnation and urban planning through interactions with individuals
from all sides of the issue. The film is set to open theatrically on
September 25th just before the arena, Barclay's Center, opens
on September 28th. The film, which highlights speeches by
Mayor Michael Bloomberg, architect Frank Gehry, Jay Z, Bruce Ratner,
Steve Buscemi and others, is a primer on grassroots activism that will
inspire people to look deeper into the stories that affect their
lives.
In 2009, Swedish documentary filmmaker Fredrik Gertten's film BANANAS!*
- recounting the lawsuit that twelve Nicaraguan plantation workers
successfully brought against the fruit giant Dole Food Company - was
selected for competition by the Los Angeles Film Festival. Just before
the world premiere of the film, Gertten received word that the festival
had decided to remove BANANAS!* from competition. The resultant legal
and public relations battle with Dole Food Company is the focus of
BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!*, a classic David vs Goliath story - but it
is more about freedom of speech and what happens to a documentary
filmmaker when he goes up against a large corporation such as Dole Foods
and how far Dole will go to shift the focus off of them and onto the
filmmaker. Media spin, PR scare tactics, dirty tricks, lawsuits, and
corporate bullying come into play to try and destroy the filmmaker. But,
it is the people who ultimately prevail, thus creating a cautionary tale
and a real life-lesson learning experience.
For more information on the live screenings, please consult http://somethingtotalkabout.us/.
About Brainstorm Media:
Founded in 1995, Brainstorm Media develops, produces and distributes
films for theatrical, television, video and new media. The company
releases films in traditional and untraditional ways. Current releases
include; DARK HORSE, PAUL WILLIAMS: STILL ALIVE and LEAST
AMONG SAINTS. Original productions include EPIX's A LIAR'S
AUTOBIOGRAPHY: THE UNTRUE STORY OF MONTY PYTHON'S GRAHAM CHAPMAN,
Chiller's THE AMERICAN SCREAM. Lifetime's A MOTHER'S NIGHTMARE
and Syfy's BLOWING VEGAS OFF THE MAP.
About Something to Talk About
Presented by Brainstorm Media and DIRECTV's AUDIENCE NETWORK, Something
to Talk About will introduce a new, socially relevant and critically
acclaimed documentary feature each month in a select group of theaters
around the US and on the AUDIENCE NETWORK. Each film will include an
introduction by a host and will have a filmmaker interview as final
wraparound. In certain venues, the film will also be followed by a live
discussion to engage the local community.
About DIRECTV:
DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's leading providers of digital
television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience
through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry
leading customer service to 33 million customers in the U.S. and Latin
America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 19.9 million customers access
to more than 170 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality
sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY
TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction
than the leading cable companies for 11 years running. DIRECTV Latin
America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil,
Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American
countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and
service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 12
million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include
three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and
Pittsburgh) as well as a 60 percent interest in Game Show Network. For
the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.
About Audience Network:
The Audience Network is a unique and exclusive television experience
available only to DIRECTV subscribers. The channel first made its mark
in 2008 (as The 101 Network) by partnering with NBC to produce and air
three additional seasons of the Emmy Award-winning series Friday
Night Lights and, more recently, became the exclusive home of the
critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning drama Damages, starring
Glenn Close. The network has become the premier destination for smart,
innovative and critically acclaimed TV fare as we search the globe for
the best new series such as Hit & Miss (United Kingdom), Rake
(Australia), Call Me Fitz and Less Than Kind (Canada). The
Dan Patrick Show, and its companion series The Box Score, keep
sports fans up to date with the latest sports talk. Viewers also enjoy
the Guitar Center Sessions series and major events such as the annual
DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl. For more info, please visit www.directv.com/audience.
DIRECTV
Cara Brugnoli
(212) 205-0887
Source: DIRECTV
News Provided by Acquire Media
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