[FilmFlam] Voices of Iraq

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/10-20-2004/0002289208&EDATE=

Groundbreaking Documentary Directed by the Iraqi People to Hit

Theatres

on October 29

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Voices of Iraq, a groundbreaking
documentary directed by more than 2,000 Iraqis, will be distributed

by

Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner's **Magnolia Pictures** following an
agreement announced today. The film has already generated

significant

media interest for going beyond the limits of western journalists

and

empowering Iraqis to share their stories for the first time in more

than

two decades. The film is set to be released on October 29, 2004 in

10

U.S. cities, including New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and

San

Francisco.
      "This is the one movie everyone should see before they vote,"

Mark

Cuban said. "The power of this movie comes from the unfiltered view

that

only the Iraqis themselves can provide. If the war in Iraq is an

issue

that impacts your vote, you have to see this movie first."
      Voices of Iraq was filmed and directed by more than 2,000

Iraqis

from all walks of life. The producers distributed 150 digital video
cameras across the country and received over 450 hours of footage

from

teachers, doctors, policemen, children and even insurgents. The film
offers a unique opportunity to hear the diverse perspective of

Iraqis on

issues at the forefront of a global debate over war, terror and the
prospects for democratic reform. Voices of Iraq does what no other

film

or news organization has done before.
      Former MTV producers Eric Manes and Martin Kunert partnered

with

actor and Gulf War veteran Archie Drury to distribute digital video
cameras all across Iraq. Beginning amidst the Falluja uprising in

April,

through the marshlands in the South and Kurdish communities in the

North

and ending in September of this year, thousands of ordinary Iraqis
became filmmakers to reveal the richness, complexity and emotion of
their lives.
     "We feel it's important for people to see this film for an
unfiltered look at how Iraqis see their future," Manes said. "They
understand what's at stake in trying to create a fledgling democracy

in

the Middle East. We're excited to have **Magnolia Pictures** as our
partner as we release this important look at life inside Iraq."
      Advance showings of Voices of Iraq for invited audiences will

be

held in New York City on October 20, Washington D.C. on October 21

and

Los Angeles on October 25. For more information on the film, visit
http://www.voicesofiraq.com.

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