DOCUMENTARY FEATURING SYSTEM OF A DOWN PREMIERING IN DECEMBER
Blabbermouth.net, NY
Oct 26 2006
Launch Radio Networks reports: A new documentary about the history
of genocide throughout the 20th century, featuring SYSTEM OF A DOWN,
will premiere in Los Angeles on December 8, with the film expanding to
New York and other selected cities in January. Titled "Screamers", the
film examines why genocides continue to occur, from the 1915 Armenian
extermination to the Holocaust to more recent atrocities in Rwanda
and Darfur. The members of SYSTEM OF A DOWN are all grandchildren
of survivors of the Armenian genocide, during which the Turkish
government slaughtered 1.5 million Armenians. Turkey has denied its
actions despite historical and eyewitness evidence.
"Screamers" was directed by filmmaker Carla Garapedian, who is also an
Armenian-American. SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian told Launch
about his and the band’s participation in the project. "I’ve helped
kind of advise Carla as the film started, and I got the band involved,
SYSTEM OF A DOWN involved, and she basically came and shot a number
of our shows and followed the band through our recognition campaign
for the Armenian genocide," he said. "She’s also interviewed a lot of
activists, scholars, people in the government in different countries –
U.S., Europe, a lot of different countries in Europe."
The film also features an interview with Tankian’s grandfather,
who is one of the few remaining eyewitnesses of the genocide.
Tankian and drummer John Dolmayan met with members of Congress last
April to lobby for legislation recognizing the genocide. The bill has
been blocked by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, who, according
to Vanity Fair, has received $500,000 in campaign contributions from
the Turkish government to block the vote.
SYSTEM OF A DOWN is currently on an extended hiatus following the
release of its "Mezmerize" and "Hypnotize" albums last year and the
touring that followed.
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