20413: Minsky: April 13-Jonathan Demme's THE AGRONOMIST -supporting NCHR in NY City

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: "tminsky@ix.netcom.com" <tminsky@ix.netcom.com>


JONATHAN DEMME, WYCLEF JEAN TO HOST NY BENEFIT PREMIERE OF ‘THE
AGRONOMIST’ IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR HAITIAN RIGHTS AND
RADIO HAITI

New York,  March 12, 2004 – Academy Award ® winning filmmaker Jonathan
Demme and Grammy® Award winning recording artist/producer Wyclef Jean
are co-chairing the event committee for the New York Premiere of Demme’s
latest film, THE AGRONOMIST on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 to benefit the
National Coalition for Haitian Rights (NCHR) and Radio
Haiti.

THE AGRONOMIST is a moving documentary that provides a powerful and
timely insight into Haitian politics and its
people’s quest for democracy. A project born of passion and friendship
the film tells the story of Haitian national hero,
journalist, and freedom fighter Jean L. Dominique, whom Jonathan Demme
first met and filmed in 1986. As owner and
operator of Haiti’s oldest independent radio station, Radio Haiti,
Dominique was frequently at odds with his country’s various governments
and spent much of the 80’s and early 90’s in exile in New York, where
Demme continued to interview him. It was Dominique’s shocking and
still-unsolved assassination on April 3, 2000 that gave the director the
impetus to assemble more than a decade’s worth of material into a
celebration of this dynamic man and his legacy.

“The ever-deepening crisis in Haiti has never been more challenging than
it is today, right now. And there’s never been a time when the fantastic
efforts of NCHR and the voice of Radio Haiti have been more desperately
needed,” said Jonathan Demme. “This event will help us raise awareness
and much needed funds for these important organizations.”

Joining Demme and Jean in supporting NCHR and Radio Haiti are co-hosts
Michele Montas, Edwidge Danticat and Daniel Wolff as well as a stellar
benefit committee that includes Harry Belafonte, Robert Benton, Jonathan
Cott, Ann Curry, William Derella, the Honorable David Dinkins, Joel
Dreyfuss, Katherine Dunham, Fab 5 Freddy, Gayle King, Sidney Lumet,
James McBride, Walter Mosley, Paul Newman, Peter Saraf, Edward Saxon,
Liev Schreiber, George Stoney, Dan Talbot, Daniel Wolff, Joanne Woodward
and Jeffrey Wright.

The NY Premiere of THE AGRONOMIST will be held at the Chelsea West
Cinemas, followed by a VIP reception at The Maritime Hotel. Wyclef Jean
and Jerry “Wonder” Duplessis, who composed the film’s score, will give
an intimate acoustic performance at the reception. All net proceeds from
the premiere screening and private reception will go to NCHR’s vital
programs and toward the reopening of Radio Haiti.

About the National Coalition for Haitian Rights
The National Coalition for Haitian Rights (www.nchr.org) is a
non-profit, non-governmental organization that seeks to promote and
protect the rights of Haitian refugees and Haitian-Americans under U.S.
and international law, and to advance respect for human rights, the rule
of law and support for civil and democratic society in Haiti.

About Radio Haiti

Beginning in the early 70’s, Jean L. Dominique and Michele Montas made
Radio Haiti Inter a unique trailblazer for free speech, investigative
reporting and lively debates. Radio Haiti wholeheartedly embraced
Creole, Haiti’s native language, and became the lifeline and inspiration
for much of the country’s poor. Giving voice again to the voiceless
remains its most enduring mission.

EVENT INFORMATION:

Date: Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Time: 7:00 p.m. – Screening, followed by the reception 9:00-11:00 p.m.

Screening Location: Chelsea West Cinemas Theatre, 333 W. 23rd Street,
New York, NY

Reception Location: The Maritime Hotel Ballroom, 366 W. 17th Street. New
York, NY
Ticket Prices:

$10,000 Corp. Packages of 10 VIP reserved theatre tickets to the
premiere and to the reception.

Individual Premiere Tickets:

VIP Tickets (Preferred seating to the screening and reception) - $1,000,
$500 and $250

Premiere Screening Only - $50

For Tickets:

Seating is limited. For tickets and information, call (212) 337-0005,
ext. 291 or email nchr@nchr.org.

Press Contact:
Amanda Sherwin/Lauren Silk

THINKFilm 646-293-9400



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