20949: Blanchet: Fw: Agronomist Benefit Premiere (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: Max Blanchet <MaxBlanchet@worldnet.att.net>


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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 23, 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, BeBe Winans, Daniel Wolff, Joanne Woodward and Jeffrey Wright.  The benefit event is supported by Merrill Lynch, The Maritime Hotel, Kobrand, THINKFilm and HBO/Cinemax.



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.



-More-







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.



For more information please visit:



http://www.theagronomist.com/nybenefit



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

A limited number of Premiere screening-only - $50

Reservations: Seating is limited. For tickets and information, please call (212) 337-0005, ext. 305 or e-mail nchr@nchr.org.



Press Contact:
Amanda Sherwin/Lauren Silk

THINKFilm 646-293-9400







Mr. Jocelyn McCalla

Executive Director

National Coalition for Haitian Rights

275 Seventh Avenue

New York, NY 10001

W: (212) 337-0005; F: (212) 741-8749; C: (862) 452-7196

Email: jmccalla@nchr.org; www.nchr.org