ANCA / SONY ‘SCREAMERS’ DVD LAUNCH SETS STAGE FOR EXPANDED GENOCIDE EDUCATION EFFORT
armradio.am
26.02.2008 10:17
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and Sony BMG
Entertainment hosted an evening reception with community activists and
human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Facing
History and Ourselves to promote the DVD release of "Screamers,"
the award-winning, documentary detailing the history of modern-day
genocide from the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and the Holocaust era to
the Rwandan massacres on the ongoing Darfur Genocide.
"Screamers theatrical release in the last year raised the profile of
genocide recognition in America and around the world. Now, the DVD
release goes a step further because each and every DVD sale says to
mainstream America ‘We care about this issue, this matters to us as
Armenians and as Americans, especially with a genocide going on now
in Darfur.’ So this is a chance for those to make a real difference by
buying the film, which has helped put this issue on the map. Each DVD
also has an educational track which omits the strong language so that
we can really get the message out to young people across the nation
in schools. That is why Matt Damon’s ad for the genocide education
charity Facing History is at the top of the DVD. They support the
message of this film The ANCA is also helping to get Screamers into
the classroom which I am very excited about," commented Screamers
director Carla Garapedian.
The exclusive featured appearances by Grammy Award winning System of
a Down lead singer Serj Tankian and Garapedian, both of whom offered
insights on the DVD release. Participants were also able to view
special features now included in the DVD detailing the making of the
documentary as well as a special trip by System of a Down members to
their high school alma mater, Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School.
Later that evening, ANCA ER Executive Director Karine Birazian had
an opportunity to interview Tankian and Garpedian regarding their
expectations of the movie’s impact, particularly in terms of student
outreach and the growing movement to end the cycle of genocide. The
interview will be available soon on the ANCA website.
"It was wonderful to team up with SONY BMG Entertainment to kick off
the SCREAMERS DVD release with so many individuals and groups who
play a critical role in genocide education," commented Birazian. "In
speaking with Serj and Carla – outspoken advocates in the battle to
end the cycle of genocide – we see the important role the SCREAMERS
DVD release will play in expanding the anti-genocide constituency
nationwide. That’s why the ANCA is particularly proud to be launching
the "Take SCREAMERS to School" program to ensure that every library
and school has a copy of this important documentary."
The DVD, which can now be purchased online by going to
also offers a "Educational Version," as
well as bonus features including an extended version of the interview
conducted with the late Hrant Dink, who was assassinated by a Turkish
nationalist in January 2007.
‘SCREAMERS’ is a production of MG2 productions in association
with BBC Television and The Raffy Manoukian Charity. Award winning
director Carla Garapedian, a veteran reporter who has made a career
of covering the most difficult stories, from Chechnya to repression
in Afghanistan, follows the European tour of "System Of A Down" and
their ongoing efforts, through music and activism, to raise awareness
about denial of the Armenian Genocide and its legacy of a century of
atrocities culminating in the ongoing genocide in Darfur. The film,
distributed by Maya Entertainment, debuted at the American Film
Institute (AFI) Film Festival in November, 2006, where it won the
coveted AFI Audience Award.
The ANCA teamed up with Save Darfur and the Raffy Manoukian Charity
in bringing SCREAMERS to a Congressional audience in January 2007 and
once again in October 2007, with the participation of Congressional
Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor Adam Schiff (D-CA) and
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
