Reyes Entertainment News

PBS' Antiques Roadshow in Los Angeles Next Three Weeks

2012-02-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

PBS ANTIQUES ROADSHOW:

LOS ANGELES

A THREE PART SERIES RUNNING

MONDAY FEBRUARY 27 THROUGH MONDAY, MARCH 12

Hour One

Monday, February 27, 2012, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET

When ANTIQUES ROADSHOW cruises into Los Angeles, California, host Mark Walberg hits the beach with appraiser Gary Sohmers for a surfing collectibles safari. At the Los Angeles Convention Center, appraisers are stoked as waves of gnarly finds come rolling in, including a rare 18th-century Goanese ivory doll; a Russian porcelain charger made for the Romanov imperial family; and a circa 1785 Massachusetts shelf clock — built by Aaron Willard, brother of the renowned clockmaker Simon Willard — that has wended its way through six generations of the owner’s family, with an estimated value of $125,000 to $150,000.

A rare 18th-century Goanese ivory doll; a Russian porcelain charger made for the Romanov imperial family; and a circa 1785Massachusetts shelf clock, built by Aaron Willard, brother of renowned clockmaker Simon Willard.

Hour Two

Monday, March 5, 2012, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET

If the movie business is the heart of Los Angeles, California, then the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences library is its collective memory, as ANTIQUES ROADSHOW host Mark Walberg learns when he visits this extensive archive of movie memorabilia with appraiser Rudy Franchi. At the Los Angeles Convention Center, the excitement builds as appraisers bestow kudos on such breakout performers as a painting of the French Riviera by 20th-century American artist Louis Aston Knight; a colorful art deco poster collection of Monte Carlo coquettes; and a stellar collection of Bohemian, Venetian and American perfume bottles, including a unique 1912 Lalique example, with a crowd-pleasing value of $30,000 to $40,000.

A painting of the French Riviera by 20th-century American artist Louis Aston Knight; a colorful art deco poster collection ofMonte Carlo coquettes; and a stellar collection of perfume bottles.

Hour Three

Monday, March 12, 2012, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW host Mark L. Walberg and appraiser Caroline Ashleigh corral a collection of vintage rhinestone-studded, western-style garb created by the late Nudie Cohen, westernwear outfitter to the stars. Back at the convention center, appraisers round up some outstanding finds, including a rare collection of barbershop shaving mugs, bought for "two bits" each in the 1930s; a valuable assortment of Anna Richards Brewster paintings purchased for a fraction of their value; and a collection of original Charles Schulz "Peanuts" comic strips and artwork, given to the owner as a gift by Schulz, estimated to be worth $150,00 to $200,000.

A rare collection of shaving mugs; Anna Richards Brewster paintings; and original “Peanuts” comic strips and artwork.

PBS Presenta American Experience: Clinton

2012-02-07T14:09:00.000-08:00

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: CLINTON

Se estrena 20 de febrero 2012

Desde eludir el llamado a filas hasta los Acuerdos de Dayton, desde Monica Lewinsky al presupuesto balanceado, la presidencia de William Jefferson Clinton transcurrió entre escándalos vergonzosos y grandes logros. En CLINTON, la última entrega de la exitosa serie de biografías presidenciales aclamada por la crítica, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE explora la fascinante historia de un presidente norteamericano que se sobrepuso a una infancia deshecha en Arkansas para convertirse en uno de los políticos más exitosos de la historia contemporánea de Estados Unidos y en una de las personalidades más complejas y atribuladas en ocupar el escenario público. El programa narra una carrera llena de logros e innumerables escándalos, un matrimonio que haría historia y crearía controversia y una presidencia que definiría el crucial período transformador que se extendió entre la caída del muro de Berlín y el 11/9. Siga a Clinton a lo largo de sus dos mandatos a medida que confrontaba algunas de las fuerzas clave que darían forma al futuro, incluidos la guerra política partidaria y el terrorismo nacional e internacional, y que se esforzaba, con éxito desparejo, por definir el papel del poder de Estados Unidos en el mundo posterior a la Guerra Fría. Lo más memorable es la exploración del modo en que la compleja personalidad de Clinton hizo historia, aun cuando enfurecía a sus enemigos y desconcertaba a sus amigos. El programa cuenta con un acceso sin precedentes a decenas de personas cercanas a Clinton, entre las que se encuentran la secretaria de prensa de la Casa Blanca Dee Dee Myers, el consejero de la Casa Blanca Bernard Nussbaum, el jefe de gabinete de la Casa Blanca Leon Panetta y el Subjefe de Gabinete Harold Ickes, así como también entrevistas con líderes extranjeros, miembros de la oposición republicana, amigos de la infancia, miembros de la oficina de Clinton cuando era gobernador de Arkansas, biógrafos y periodistas.

Not all Americans live in the Land of Plenty -- Please Help!

2012-01-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

Poverty climbs among US schoolchildren

In the two years since the onset of the financial crisis in the fall of 2008, the number of children living in poverty increased from 14 million to 16 million, the US Census Bureau reports. The US government estimates that 25 percent of children in America will soon be living in poverty. A staggering 1 out of 4, totaling 1.5 million children, the highest number since the Great Depression are currently homeless in America.

A new report, State of Homelessness in America, highlights that nearly 4 in 10 homeless were living unsheltered, on the street, in a car, or in another place not intended for human habitation.

Hunger

Children without homes are twice as likely to experience hunger as other children.

Two-thirds worry they won’t have enough to eat. More than one-third of homeless children report being forced to skip meals.

How can you help?

Reyes Entertainment encourages everyone to follow this link, http://www.feedingamerica.org and please give generously so that America’s less fortunate can eat. Make a difference right now! Speak with the people you know and people you don’t know, promote the day, and donate to Feeding America. Thank you.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW VIENE A HOUSTON LAS PROXIMAS TRES SEMANAS

2012-01-16T08:36:00.000-08:00

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: HOUSTON

UN EVENTO EN TRES PARTES QUE COMIENZA EL LUNES 23 DE ENERO

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: Houston (Hora Uno)

Lunes 23 de enero de 2012, 9:00-10.00 p.m., hora del este

Ver los listados locales

El colmillo tallado de una morsa representando el barco ballenero más antiguo de Estados Unidos; una rara colección de mazos de cartas de fútbol americano Topps; y un libro de ilustraciones de las batallas de la Guerra Mexicana.

Descripción del evento

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW llega a Houston, Texas, donde el anfitrión Mark L. Walberg visita la Beer Can House, una casa de la localidad adornada con cientos de latas de cerveza que hasta tiene cortinas, llamadores de viento y esculturas hechas con latas, para hablar con el tasador de ROADSHOW Andy Ourant sobre la colección. En el Reliant Center, los tasadores encuentran una rica mezcla de objetos, que incluyen un colmillo tallado de morsa que representa al Almira, el barco ballenero más antiguo de Estados Unidos, una colección de mazos de cartas de fútbol americano Topps del año 1958, muy raras y aún sin abrir, con leyendas del deporte tales como Johnny Unitas y Bart Starr; y un libro de ilustraciones de las batallas de la Guerra Mexicana con un precio estimado por el asegurador de $45.000 a $50.000.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: Houston (Hora Dos)

Lunes 30 de enero de 2012, 9:00-10:00 p.m., hora del este (Ver los listados locales)

Una caja-escritorio del siglo XIX, fabricada por un renombrado proveedor de la familia real británica; una colección de etiquetas litografiadas de cajones de fruta; y una réplica del año 1959 de la escultura en bronce “Turtle Baby”, de la artista Edith Parson.

Descripción del evento

El anfitrión de ANTIQUES ROADSHOW Mark L. Walberg se une a la tasadora Beth Szescila en una gira por Bayou Bend en Houston, Texas, el extraordinario museo y sus jardines que fueron una vez el hogar de la famosa filántropa y coleccionista de antigüedades Ima Hogg. Siguiendo los pasos de la Sra. Ima, los coleccionistas modernos llegan al Reliant Center con descubrimientos impresionantes que incluyen una caja-escritorio de principios del siglo XIX hecha por un renombrado proveedor de la familia real británica; una valiosa colección de etiquetas litografiadas de cajones de naranjas; y una réplica del año 1959 de la escultura en bronce de principios del siglo XIX “Turtle Baby” de la artista Edith Parsons, valuada en $35.000 a $40.000.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW: Houston (Hora Tres)

Lunes 6 de febrero de 2012, 9:00-10:00 p.m., hora del este (Ver los listados locales)

Una colección de vajilla dorada Wedgwood Fairyland; un dije de oro que perteneció a Lucille Ball; y un romántico sofá estilo English Regency en palo de rosa.

Descripción del evento

Algo excitante está siempre sucediendo en la NASA que celebra su 50 aniversario este año. En el evento final de ANTIQUES ROADSHOW en Houston, Texas, el anfitrión Mark L. Walberg experimenta de primera mano su entusiasmo cuando se une al tasador Gary Piattoni en el Centro Espacial de Houston para ver los objetos coleccionables de la NASA. Entre lo más destacado está una vajilla dorada Wedgwood Fairyland; un dije de oro que perteneció a Lucille Ball y un romántico sofá en palo de rosa estilo English Regency que hizo casi desmayar al tasador cuando lo valuó en $9.500.

DOWNTON ABBEY Season 2 Premieres on PBS Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012

2012-01-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

Multiple Emmy winner (including Outstanding Miniseries!) "Downton Abbey" resumes the story of aristocrats and servants of Downton Abbey during the tumultuous World War I era. The international hit, written by Julian Fellowes, stars Dame Maggie Smith, Elizabeth McGovern and Hugh Bonneville, as well as a drawing room full of new actors, portraying the loves, feuds and sacrifices of a glittering culture thrown into crisis. Laura Linney hosts.

Happy New Year

2011-12-29T17:19:00.000-08:00

REYES ENTERTAINMENT WISHES YOU AND YOURS A HAPPY AND HEALTHY 2012!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! - FELICES FIESTAS

2011-12-19T12:37:00.000-08:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

May the Holiday Spirit fill your days throughout the year.

THE COCA-COLA TOUR: ADELANTE INSPIRES LATINAS TO ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS

2011-11-08T09:26:00.000-08:00

Empowerment Tour Looks to Provide Latinas the Tools to Succeed

Inspired by its “5 BY 20” commitment to enable the economic empowerment of five million women entrepreneurs in its system by 2020, Coca-Cola has created the Coca-Cola Tour: Adelante, a digital community and series of forums intended to empower Hispanic women by providing them with the tools and information to reach their goals. The community launches on Facebook in mid-November and to kick off the Tour, Coca-Cola is hosting a day-long forum for Latinas in Los Angeles on Saturday December 3.

The inaugural Coca-Cola Tour: Adelante is a partnership between Coca-Cola, Latina inspirational speaker and media entrepreneur Nely Galán and Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence (CMI). The Forum – which is free of charge – will take place in Santa Monica. Latinas must apply online at www.CocaColaTourAdelante.com. 350 women will be invited to attend.

“The Coca-Cola Tour: Adelante is meant to create a movement that informs, mentors and inspires Latinas to take action by providing them with the right tools to make their dreams come true,” said Nely Galán.

Women are the cornerstones of any family, so it’s important that they are offered options to help ensure their success. The Coca-Cola Tour: Adelante is intended for Latinas who want to reach their goals of obtaining a college degree, opening their own business and/or becoming active leaders in their community. The Forum will offer specific curriculums that will help Latinas achieve their American dream.

The Tour kicks off in Los Angeles, the nation’s largest Latino market, where nearly 50% of the population is Hispanic, and in a state where 49% of all births in the last decade were attributed to Latinas according to the 2010 U.S. Census. The Tour will partner with media, businesses, women’s and Latino(a) organizations so that they can engage by nominating their top Latina officers, executives and employees to attend the Forum.

“Women, especially Latinas, are an integral part of The Coca-Cola Company’s 2020 Vision. As we embark on this journey, we want to provide Latinas with the necessary tools to succeed by triggering their entrepreneurial spirit” said Reinaldo Padua, Assistant Vice President, Hispanic Marketing, Coca-Cola North America. “Coca-Cola looks to inspire Latinas to pursue their dreams—whether these dreams are about getting physically active, going back to school or opening your own business. Stronger women will create stronger families and communities.”

The Coca-Cola Tour: Adelante digital community on Facebook will serve as a meeting place for media-savvy and community-minded women. The digital community will allow interested participants to join a network of influencers and leaders that can provide tools and tips on how to open a business, achieve a degree in higher education and empower themselves.

“We are proud to partner with Coca-Cola in developing the tour,” said Nell Merlino, Founder and President of CMI. “This innovative Forum will provide Latina professional moms with the right tools to articulate their goals and live their dreams.”

The event’s curriculum emphasizes: 1) Taking care of myself and my family: Latinas are nurturers of a healthy America; 2) Getting my kids to college or pursuing it myself: Latinas are builders of intellectual capital; 3) Strengthening my financing and helping my family financially: Latinas are drivers of the entrepreneurial spirit;

4) Becoming more active in my community: Latinas are pillars of their community and 5) Becoming more involved in governance of my community: Latinas shape the political future of the U.S.

Inaugural Forum Speakers

Sandra Cisneros, acclaimed novelist, poet, educator and Latina advocate who has been awarded the MacArthur Genius Award, will lead the Begin (Empieza) segment of the Program.

Nely Galán first generation Latina and self-made media mogul, who was the first Latina president of a U.S. TV network (Telemundo), Emmy Award-winning producer of over 600 episodes of television in Spanish and English, including the hit reality series “The Swan” and the only Latina to appear on Celebrity Apprentice with Donald Trump. She will lead the Continue (Sigue) segment of the program. www.nelygalan.com.

Nell Merlino, Founder and President of Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and the creative force behind Take Our Daughters to Work Day, will lead the Arrive (Llega) portion of the Forum. Merlino’s mantra is: “Before you grow your business, you need to grow yourself.” This segment will focus on building financial strength and discovering what you really want. http://www.makemineamillion.org/

About 5 BY 20

The Coca-Cola Company’s 5 BY 20 initiative seeks to enable the economic empowerment of 5 million women entrepreneurs across the Coca-Cola value chain by 2020. Specifically, the Company is developing and implementing programs to help break down barriers for women entrepreneurs in the small businesses that the Coca-Cola system touches. Examples of businesses include fruit farmers, shopkeepers, recycling collectors and artisans. To learn more, visit www.5by20.com.

The Coca-Cola Company

The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, the Company's portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, POWERADE, Minute Maid, Simply and Georgia. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our website at www.thecoca-colacompany.com.

About Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence

Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence is the leading national not-for-profit provider of resources, business education, and community support for women entrepreneurs seeking to grow their businesses into million dollar enterprises. Count Me In launched the Make Mine a Million $ Business Competition to inspire one million women entrepreneurs scale their businesses to a million dollars in business revenues in the next decade by providing tools, skills, and the support of a nation-wide community of peers. For more information, visit www.makemineamillion.org.

2011-10-31T19:27:00.000-07:00

EN ESTOS TIEMPOS DE ECONOMÍA, PBS SOCAL SE ACERCA A LA COMUNIDAD PARA OFRECER SUS RECURSOS EDUCATIVOS GRATUITOS PARA LOS PADRES Y NIÑOS DEL SUR DE CALIFORNIA

La crisis económica continúa afectando a las familias norteamericanas, y a algunas mas que a otras. Un informe que ha sido publicado recientemente por el Pew Hispanic Center ha revelado que los niños latinos que viven en la pobreza superan a los de cualquier otro grupo étnico o racial, y por un porcentaje importante.

De acuerdo al reporte, los datos del 2010 (los más recientes disponibles), muestran que 1 de cada 3 niños latinos (37.3%) en EE.UU. está creciendo en la pobreza. Esa tasa salta al 57.3% en familias a cargo de una madre soltera, y baja al 8.7% en los hogares que tienen por lo menos un padre con un titulo universitario.

Nadie puede negar el importante efecto positivo que la educación puede tener en reducir las tasas de pobreza infantil. Pero en un momento en que los padres latinos luchan de tantas formas para poder cubrir las necesidades de sus hijos, muchos no tienen acceso a la escuela preescolar y al camino del éxito en el aprendizaje.

PBS puede ayudar. Los padres pueden encontrar programación educativa gratuita para niños de 2 a 8 años en su estación local de PBS, PBS SoCal, anteriormente conocida como KOCE-TV. (Verifique el calendario del cable para KOCE-TV o KOCE-DT en su área). En los hechos PBS SoCal acaba de incrementar sus propuestas de shows de PBS KIDS® y ahora emite 20 diferentes programas de PBS KIDS a la semana, desde Sesame Street, Super Why!, WordGirl y Dinosaur Train a Sid the Science Kid, The Electric Company, Martha Speaks, Cyber Chase y muchos más.

En internet, los padres pueden acceder a programación gratuita y otros recursos a través de www.PBSKIDS.org. Esta semana PBS KIDS ha lanzado más de 40 nuevos juegos educativos como parte de un nuevo sitio de PBS KIDS Lab, que también incluye actividades para descargar y otros recursos para los padres. A finales de este otoño, el sitio estará disponible en español. Todo es gratuito y es ofrecido mediante un subsidio del programa Ready To Learn del Departamento de Educación de EE.UU, que otorga apoyo a los niños de 2 a 8 años, especialmente a aquellos de familias de bajos recursos.

Para ayudar a las familias a encontrar estos recursos educativos gratuitos, PBS SoCal está lanzando una campaña de marketing consistente en publicidad impresa y digital fuera de los hogares a lo largo de un período de tres meses (de noviembre a febrero). Esta campaña se hará en español y está siendo posicionada en vecindarios selectos en autobuses, tiendas y carteles. PBS SoCal también está publicando anuncios en La Opinión, el diario líder en español, que llega a este segmento, asi como a la comunidad latina en general.

Antecedentes en breve

En enero de 2011, KOCE-TV se convirtió en la estación a tiempo completo de PBS para el mercado de Los Ángeles, presentando la programación completa de PBS cuando sus programas se emiten a nivel nacional. Bajo el nuevo nombre de PBS SoCal, la estación ha expandido su horario, el área en la que está disponible, y llega a toda la región. Pero la estación tiene una larga y rica historia de servicio en el Sur de California.

Fundada en 1973, KOCE ha sido la estación de la televisión pública de Orange County durante más de 37 años, y fue la primera estación que emitió telecursos universitarios. Hoy ese legado continúa, aportando recursos academicos a la comunidad con PBS SoCal Education. Asistiendo a estudiantes y maestros de K-12 en más del 80% de las escuelas locales, PBS SoCal Education provee nuevos instrumentos mediáticos y entrenamiento que estimula a los estudiantes a participar del aprendizaje del siglo XXI.

Transmitiendo desde la cima de Mt. Wilson, la señal de PBS SoCal se puede ver en los condados de Los Ángeles, Orange, San Bernadino y Ventura. Más de cinco millones de personas sintonizan la estación todos los meses.

Sobre PBS SoCal

PBS SoCal, previamente conocida como KOCE-TV, es la estación de PBS del Sur de California dedicada a educar en forma interactiva, entretener e iluminar al área del Gran Los Ángeles. Con sus tres canales televisivos únicos, que incluyen a PBS SoCal HD, el OC Channel y WORLD TV, PBS SoCal provee premiados programas como Frontline, NewsHour, NOVA, Nature, y Masterpiece, asi como las producciones locales Real Orange, Inside OC With Rick Reiff y Bookmark With Maria Hall-Brown. A través de iniciativas para llegar a la comunidad entre las que se cuentan PBS SoCal Education, PBS SoCal provee a las escuelas locales con nuevos instrumentos mediáticos y entrenamiento que estimula a los estudiantes a participar del aprendizaje del siglo XXI. Explore el futuro de PBS en el Sur de California en www.pbssocal.org.

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Contacto:

Medios latinos y en español

Raymond Diaz, Reyes Entertainment

(213) 908-6633 – raymond@reyesentertainment.com

Gabriel Reyes, Reyes Entertainment

512-686-1488 - gabriel@reyesentertainment.com

Contacto:

Medios en inglés y del mercado general

Bonnie Winings, SWPR Group

(818) 760-7131, bwinings@swprgroup.com

"I HAVE A BAD FEELING ABOUT TONIGHT"

2011-10-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

THE “FROM BEYOND” TEAM HAS A VIOLENT ENCOUNTER AT LINDA VISTA HOSPITAL, ONE OF L.A.’S MOST HAUNTED SITES

SUNDAY OCTOBER 23 AT 10 PM ET/PT ON mun2

LINDA VISTA HOSPITAL premiering SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 at 10 PM ET/PT:

The team has a violent encounter at the infamous Linda Vista Hospital. A staple of the Latino rich community of Boyle Heights, Linda Vista hospital is considered to be one of the most haunted locations in the US and now the home of the team’s most haunting night to remember. Watch a sneak peek: http://bit.ly/nkiumL.

Pictured L-R: Psychic medium AJ Barrera and paranormal investigator Ramiro Ramirez at Linda Vista Hospital in mun2 “From Beyond”)

FIND mun2 ON YOUR TV: http://www.mun2.tv/get-mun2.

HALLOWEEN SEASON FINALE

THE BEST OF SEASON ONE premiering SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30 at 10 PM ET/PT

AJ, Christian, and Ramiro take on their final challenge, the Spirit Board, as they reminisce about their most memorable investigations of the season.
Watch a sneak peek: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqICRIVvqjM.

mun2, the bilingual cable network, had its best third quarter audience in its history, according to Nielsen Media Research. The network had its highest third quarter deliveries in all demos, across all programming blocks including its Prime, You’re On Weekends, and Original Sunday Night schedules. mun2 has a 125% advantage in YLA (Young Latino Americans, 18-34) audience over TR3s during prime time in the third quarter.

SERIES DESCRIPTION

“From Beyond,” a chilling new reality series featuring a young psychic medium AJ Barrera and paranormal investigators Christian Vera and Ramiro Ramirez who investigate and document paranormal activity in Latino communities in and around Los Angeles. Throughout the 13 episode unnerving series, the ghost hunters take viewers on a personal journey into hauntings', urban legends and ghost stories proving that the paranormal needs no translation. “From Beyond” airs Sunday nights at 10 PM ET on mun2. For more information, visit: mun2.tv/beyond.

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About mun2:

mun2 (moon-dos) is the lifestyle cable network for today's culture connectors (C2s) - bicultural Latinos 18-34. As the bilingual network that amplifies the Latino experience, mun2 is culturally grounded and reflects the best of both worlds - mun2 is uniquely American. From reality to music, on-air to digital, mun2 creates original content across a multi-screen platform. As the only nationally measured bilingual cable network by Nielsen NTI, mun2 has an increased distribution to over 37 million households, and is a part of Telemundo, a division of NBCUniversal.

About mun2.tv:

mun2.tv is mun2’s official site featuring exclusive interviews, original videos, entertainment news, interaction with other mun2 fans and ways to vote for what's next on mun2. From politics and pop to videos and video games, mun2.tv is the online destination devoted to the lifestyles of bicultural Latinos.

Follow mun2 on:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/mun2

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mun2 - #Frombeyond

Gabriel Reyes, President of Reyes Entertainment, Wins PRemio Award for Digital PR Campaign of the Year from the Hispanic PR Assn.

2011-10-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Renowned Hollywood publicist and Latino market expert Gabriel Reyes has won a PRemio Award from the Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) for Campaign of the Year in Digital Public Relations. Reyes spearheaded a Hispanic digital PR and social media campaign on behalf of the Independent Lens documentary “The Longoria Affair”, which aired on PBS in November 2010.

“I’m delighted and grateful to be recognized for our work,” says Reyes. “We have been in the Hispanic space for over 15 years and we keep evolving and refining with our market and new technologies.”

The Hispanic Public Relations Association was established in 1984 and is the largest network of Hispanic public relations and marketing professionals representing agencies, government, nonprofit and corporate companies in the nation. HPRA’s PRemio Awards honor notable individuals in the communications field and recognizes the best in Hispanic-targeted campaigns in several categories.

Gabriel Reyes is considered one of the pioneers of Hispanic marketing in the Entertainment Industry. He has been featured on CNNl’s Latino in America and received recognition by The Hollywood Reporter as one of the “50 Most Powerful Latinos in Hollywood” and as one of the “100 Most Influential Latinos” by Hispanic Business Magazine.

Reyes is President and Founder of Reyes Entertainment, one of the premier marketing and public relations firms focused on the bilingual media markets. Founded in 1997, Reyes Entertainment works with Hollywood studios, networks and Latino stars promoting major film releases, network and cable TV series, DVD launches, concert and special event publicity as well as corporate communications. He also lectures at The University of Texas at Austin on integrated communications in Latino entertainment.

Reyes Entertainment currently serves a roster of clients highlighted by The NY Intl. Latino Film Festival, PBS Networks, Warner Bros. Pictures and World Wrestling Entertainment, among others.

PBS celebra el Mes de la Herencia Hispana Del 15 de septiembre al 15 de octubre de 2011

2011-08-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

–e invita a los televidentes a honrar a los hispanos y a la cultura latina

PBS está celebrando el Mes de la Herencia Hispana de 2011 con una sólida programación que entretiene, informa y explora la cultura de los hispanos y los latinoamericanos.

La celebración de PBS del Mes de la Herencia Hispana se extiende más allá de sus transmisiones y llega hasta pbs.org, la videocasetera de PBS, en donde los televidentes pueden ver en Internet horas de programación gratis de PBS y en el horario que prefieran, e incluye una vasta propuesta de programas que honran la cultura latina. http://video.pbs.org/feature/98/

GREAT PERFORMANCES se ocupa de la carrera internacional del popular tenor Plácido Domingo. Domingo, uno de los tenores más populares y celebrados de su generación, es también el director de la Ópera de Los Ángeles y la Ópera Nacional de Washington. En este documental, Domingo habla sobre sus interpretaciones favoritas en teatros de ópera de todo el mundo, desde su debut en Ernani en La Scala de Milán a sus raíces hispanas como Don José en Carmen. “Plácido Domingo: My Favorite Roles” tendrá su debut el viernes, 23 de septiembre de 2011, de 9:00 a 10:30 p.m. hora del este en PBS.

En una visita a Patchogue, NuevaYork, aprenda como una comunidad se está ocupando de las causas subyacentes de los crímenes de odio. Cuando una serie de ataques encabezados por un grupo de adolescentes terminan con el asesinato del latino de 37 años Marcelo Lucero, sus familiares y vecinos trabajarán para asegurar la seguridad y el respeto en su pueblo. Este poderoso documental le cuenta al público sobre los traumas de los crímenes de odio, y los invita a tomar una posición para prevenirlos. El programa completo está disponible en el PBS PressRoom. NOT IN OUR TOWN: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS se estrena el miércoles 21 de septiembre de 2011, de 10:00 a 11:00 p.m. hora del este por PBS.

La nueva programación también está apoyada por repeticiones. Los estilos musicales de los ganadores del Grammy Marc Anthony, Gloria Estefan y José Feliciano se encuentran entre los músicos que se presentaron en IN PERFOMANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE “Fiesta Latina”. Otros programas incluyen cautivantes documentales como POV “The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez” e INDEPENDENT LENS “Our Disappeared/Nuestros Desaparecidos.”

Nueva programación

GREAT PERFORMANCES “Plácido Domingo: My Favorite Roles”

Viernes 23 de septiembre de 9:00 a 10:30 p.m. hora del este por PBS

Programa del Mes de la Herencia Hispana (consulte su programación local)

Plácido Domingo, uno de los tenores más populares y reconocidos de su generación, recuerda y reflexiona acerca de sus papeles favoritos en las óperas de todo el mundo.

NOT IN OUR TOWN: LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS

Miércoles, 21 de septiembre, de 10:00 a 11:00 p.m. hora del este por PBS

Programa del Mes de la Herencia Hispana a (consulte su programación local)

Los residentes de una comunidad de Long Island pasan a la acción después de que un inmigrante es asesinado en un ataque a manos de siete adolescentes. Mientras descubre el trauma del odio, este poderoso documental anima a los espectadores a pasar a la acción y a prevenir que la intolerancia se convierta en violencia.

Programación repetida

INDEPENDENT LENS “Our Disappeared/Nuestros desaparecidos”

Programa del Mes de la Herencia Hispana (consulte su programación local)

El director Juan Mandelbaum regresa a su Argentina natal para descubrir qué sucedió con amigos y sus seres queridos que desaparecieron durante la dictadura militar entre 1976 y 1983.

IN PERFORMANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE “Fiesta Latina”

Viernes, 30 de septiembre de 2011, de 10:00 a 11:00 p.m. hora del este por PBS

El presidente Obama y la Primera Dama Michelle Obama son los anfitriones de un concierto en la Casa Blanca en honor al Mes de la Herencia Hispana.

LOS LONELY BOYS COTTONFIELDS AND CROSSROADS

Programa del Mes de la Herencia Hispana (consulte su programación local)

Tres hermanos mexicoamericanos de Texas crean un nuevo estilo musical al que bautizan “Texican”.

POV “The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez”

Programa del Mes de la Herencia Hispana (consulte su programación local)

Tommy Lee Jones narra la historia de un joven que es confundido con un narcotraficante y es asesinado por marines de Estados Unidos que patrullan la frontera entre Texas y México.

POV “Calavera Highway”

Programa del Mes de la Herencia Hispana (consulte su programación local)

Dos mexicoamericanos se vuelven a encontrar con cinco hermanos e intentan recomponer su historia familiar.

THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO

Programa del Mes de la Herencia Hispana (consulte su programación local)

Esta película cuenta la épica historia de la revolución mexicana de 1910. Alimentada por la disconformidad creciente del pueblo mexicano con la élite gobernanta, la revolución fue encabezada por dos de las figuras más intrigantes y míticas del siglo 20; Emiliano Zapata y Francisco “Pancho” Villa.

Sobre PBS

Con las casi 360 estaciones que la integran, PBS ofrece a todos los norteamericanos la oportunidad de explorar nuevas ideas y nuevos mundos a través de la televisión y contenido online. Todos los meses, PBS llega a más de 124 millones de espectadores mediante la televisión y a 20 millones de personas a través de su contenido online y los invita a recorrer los universos de la ciencia, la historia, la naturaleza y los asuntos públicos, a escuchar opiniones diversas, y a ocupar butacas de lujo para disfrutar de espectáculos y representaciones de la mejor calidad. La amplia gama de programas que ofrece PBS ha sido consistentemente reconocida en las premiaciones más importantes de la industria. Los maestros a cargo de niños en edad preescolar y hasta los 12 años recurren a PBS en búsqueda de contenido digital y otros servicios que ayudan a infundir vida a las lecciones que se dictan en el aula. La programación televisiva premier para niños de PBS, así como su sitio web, pbskids.org, son los compañeros más confiables de aquellos padres y maestros que desean inspirar e inculcar en sus niños la curiosidad y el amor por el aprendizaje. Para obtener más información acerca de PBS, visite www.pbs.org, uno de los sitios web ‘punto-org’ líderes en Internet, o siga a PBS en Twitter, Facebook o a través de nuestras aplicaciones para dispositivos móviles. Si desea acceder a información específica sobre los programas y actualizaciones para prensa, visite pbs.org/pressroom o siga a PBS Pressroom en Twitter.

The NY International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) Announces 2011 Winners

2011-08-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

THE 12^TH ANNUAL NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL LATINO FILM FESTIVAL (NYILFF) PRESENTED 2011 AWARDS AT A CEREMONY ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 21

HBO®'s Marvin Scott pictured above with Dominic Colón, whose screenplay Crush, won the 2011 HBO®/NYILFF Short Film Competition.

The HBO® New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) presented its 2011 awards at a ceremony on Sunday August 21 beginning with a reception at 6 PM and presentation at 7 PM at AMC Empire, Screen 14, 234 West 42^nd Street. Heineken presented the event.

NYILFF presented over 100 features, documentaries and short films in English and Spanish, reflecting America’s cultural diversity as well as the global urban experience. For more information, log on to nylatinofilm.com.

To download photos from films:

http://nyilff.e-ccommunications.com/

To download red carpet photos:

http://www.nyilff-photos.smugmug.com

NYILFF Awards are presented in the Categories of Best U.S. Feature Film, Presented by HBO®; Best International Feature Film, Presented by El Diario-La Prensa; Best Director, Presented by HBO®; Best Documentary, Presented by CNN; Best Short Film, Presented by Sprint; HBO®/NYILFF Short Film Competition Winner. NYILFF Judges include Carlos Gutierrrez, Co-Founding Director of Cinema Tropical; Leslie Cohen, Director of Programming, HBO®; Nicolas Entel, Director of the award-winning feature, SINS OF MY FATHER; Lucila Moctezuma, Head of the Production Assistance Program at Women Make Movies; Michael Dagnery, Vice President of Content Services and Development for MTV Tr3s; Araceli Cruz, Sr. Associate Editor, The Village Voice; and Tamir Muhammad, Director of Feature Programming, Tribeca All Access. Rashaad Ernesto Green, director of GUN HILL ROAD; Elizabeth Nuñez, journalist and producer for CNN’s In America; and Livia Bloom, Director of Exhibition and Broadcast at Icarus Films

The 2011 NYILFF Impact Award was presented to Mr. Andy Garcia on Thursday August 18.

“We are delighted with the success of this year’s festival and proud to recognize these outstanding films,” said Calixto Chinchilla, NYILFF Co-Executive Director. “NYILFF continues to push the envelope in quality and scope of films we showcase, continually expanding our programming vision.”

“NYILFF is dedicated to fostering the art of filmmaking and providing a wide platform to express not only the rich fabric of the Latino experience, but also the global urban experience, which is shared by millions around the world,” said Elizabeth Gardner, NYILFF Co-Executive Director

2011 NYILFF WINNERS

BEST SHORT: LA DUCHA (THE SHOWER)

LA DUCHA

10 Min/CHILE

Director: Jose Maria San Martin

Elisa and Manuela have lived together for five years, but now they must separate. On their last morning together, they will pass through emotions of love, anger, guilt, joy and punishment, as they try to capture the last fragments of their relationship before it dissolves forever. Presented by Sprint. Winner receives $1,000.

Judges Statement

It's hard to deny the power of La Ducha, directed by Maria Jose San Martin. In one complete shot the story about the end of a relationship had us spellbound. Because of the film's clear and precise direction shot all in one room executed by phenomenal actors, La Ducha exceeded as the best short film---hands down.

BEST U.S. FEATURE FILM: MARIA MY LOVE

MARIA MY LOVE

99 MIN.

Director/Writer: Jasmine McGlade Chazelle

Producers: Jasmine McGlade Chazelle, Jennifer Glynn, Tiana Matthews

Cast: Karen Black, Lauren Fales, Judy Marte, Brian Reiger

Reeling from her mother’s death, and filled with resentment over her father’s mistakes, Ana feels disconnected from everyone around her – and herself. As she finds an unlikely friend and confidante, Ana finds herself in an emotionally complex relationship that reveals some uncomfortable truths about herself as well. Presented by HBO®. Winner receives $1,000 and an Avid Media Composer 5.5 worth $2,295.

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM: EL REGRESO

(EL REGRESO) THE RETURN

WORLD PREMIERE/COSTA RICA/90 MIN

Director/Writer: Hernan Jimenez

Producers: Manuel Granda, Hernan Jimenez and Amanda Pham

Cast: Andre Boxwill, Luis Fernando Gomez, Barbara Jimenez, Hernan Jimenez

After a decade of living in New York, 30-year-old Antonio returns to his native Costa Rica for a short visit. When events force him to stay, he is confronted with everything he has desperately struggled to put in the past. Presented by El Diario-La Prensa. Winner receives $1,000.

BEST DIRECTOR: AARON BURNS for BLACKTINO

BLACKTINO

NEW YORK PREMIERE/ 90 MIN

Director/Writer: Aaron Burns

Producers: Elizabeth Avellán, Aaron Burns, Sandra Condito, Andy Kleinman, Carlos Rincones

Cast: Dona Dye, Jeff Fahey, Austin Marshall, Devyn Raye, Michelle Rodriguez, Tiger Sheu, Danny Trejo

A coming of age story reflective of our cynical times, Blacktino gives an honest -- and hilarious -- depiction of high school life as seen through the imaginative eyes of a bi-racial computer nerd. Sad. Fat. Black. Latino. Nerd. It doesn’t get any worse than that! Presented by HBO®. Winner receives $1,000 and an Avid Media Composer 5.5 worth $2,295.

Judges Statement:

This year's festival was especially strong. All the films were directed beautifully. The jury has chosen this year's best director because of his unique voice and execution of a quirky yet evocative story. Films that make us laugh rarely get recognized during award ceremonies. We want to make sure that we encourage filmmakers to explore their unique voice no matter how serious, funny, scary, or quirky it is. We present this year's award for best director to Aaron Burns for Blacktino.

BEST DOCUMENTARY: EL EDIFICIO DE LOS CHILENOS

EL EDIFICIO DE LOS CHILENOS (THE CHILEAN BUILDING)

96 Min/CHILE

Director: Macarena Aguiló Marchi , Susana Foxley

At the end of the 1970’s, the militants of MIR, exiled in Europe, decided to return to Chile in order to support the fight against the Pinochet dictatorship. Many had children they were forced to leave behind. It was then that the idea of a community center to shelter these children was born. Project Home gathered 60 kids who were left in the care of people who assumed the responsibility of their upbringing for years to come. This is their remarkable story. Presented by CNN. Winner receives $1,000.

Judges Statement

On behalf of the 2011 Documentary Jury at the New York International Latino Film Festival, congratulations all the filmmakers for their tremendous accomplishments! We're pleased to announce that the winner of the Best Documentary Award goes to "The Chilean Building" (El Edificio de los Chilenos), directed by Macarena Aguilo and Susana Foxley. This remarkable film, about children left in communal care overseas while their militant parents fought against the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile, impressed us with its meticulous research and fascinating, informative interviews. "The Chilean Building" brings heartfelt, personal and political characters from the historical world to life onscreen, and makes a significant contribution to the historical record. We all thought about the film long after it ended and we look forward to seeing more films by these gifted filmmakers in the future.

HBO®/ NYILFF SHORT FILM COMPETITION WINNER: CRUSH by Dominic Colón

CRUSH

Written by: Dominic Colón

Director: Gloria LaMorte

Producers: Dominic Colón, Joseph LaMorte

HBO and the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) announced that Crush, a screenplay by Dominic Colón, has won the 2011 HBO/NYILFF Short Film Competition. Colón received the $15,000 grand prize from HBO to complete a short film based on his original script. The short was shown during the NYILFF festivities, August 15-21.

Crush takes place in the South Bronx during Prom Night, where a young man is in for an evening filled with mixed emotions as he decides whether or not to man up and face his high school “crush” or punk out and let him walk away.

THE 2011 JURY

Best Director, Best U.S. Feature Film, Best International Film

LESLIE COHEN

Leslie Cohen is Vice President of Film Programming at HBO, celebrating 18 years with the network in 2012. She is responsible for the acquisition of films from the major film studios for both HBO and Cinemax. She also acquires Spanish language films and series for HBO Latino as well as independent films for HBO Video, HBO Enterprises and HBO Program Distribution. Previously at HBO, Leslie worked on the launch of HBO’s international ventures in Asia and Central Europe and performed financial forecasting and deal analysis for programming and cable revenue areas in HBO’s strategic planning group. Leslie serves as a Board Member of the Picture House Regional Film Center in New York and an Advisory Board Member for Florida’s Gasparilla Film Festival Cinema by the Bay. Leslie holds a BA in English from Dartmouth College and an MBA from New York University. She lives in Westchester with her husband Dan, 11 year old daughter Camryn and 9 year old son Ty.

RASHAAD ERNESTO GREEN

After spending three years acting in theaters nationwide and working with directors such as Spike Lee, Rashaad moved behind the camera. Selected for the 2010 Tribeca All Access Program, IFP’s Independent Film Week, and a recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Foundation–Cary Grant Film Award, Rashaad's film Gun Hill Road, starring Esai Morales and Judy Reyes, premiered in the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. A gripping drama about a Latino family in the Bronx, Gun Hill Road (www .gunhillroad .com) opened #1 for Independent films and is currently playing in theaters. Rashaad was included on the 2010 Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film list and in indieWIRE's 2009 Top Ten New Voices in Cinema.

CARLOS GUTIERREZ

Carlos A. Gutiérrez is the Co-Founding Director of Cinema Tropical (www .cinematropical .com), the leading presenter of Latin American cinema in the U.S., founded in 2001 with the mission of distributing, programming and promoting what was to become the biggest boom of Latin American cinema in decades. Through a diversity of programs and initiatives, New York-based Cinema Tropical is thriving as a dynamic and groundbreaking 501(c)(3) non-profit media arts organization experimenting in the creation of better and more effective strategies for the distribution and exhibition of foreign cinema in this country.

Best Documentary Film

LIVIA BLOOM

Livia Bloom is a film curator and the Director of Exhibition and Broadcast at Icarus Films, a leading distributor of documentaries for over 30 years. She organizes the "Documentary in Bloom" film showcase at the Maysles Cinema in Harlem and edited the book "Errol Morris: Interviews" (University of Mississippi Press). Her writing and interviews are regularly published in the journals Cinema Scope, Filmmaker Magazine, and Film Comment.

NICOLAS ENTEL

Nicolas Entel’s last feature film documentary Sins of My Father premiered at Sundance in 2010. It was broadcasted by, among others, HBO (US), Channel 4 (UK), Discovery (Lat Am) and Arte (France & Germany). Sins also won multiple awards at numerous film festivals including Best Documentary at the Havana and Miami. Entel previously directed the documentary Orquesta Tipica (2006). He is the 2010 recipient of the NALIP Estela Award and the founder of Red Creek Productions, one of the largest Latino owned production companies in the US.

LUCILA MOCTEZUMA

Lucila Moctezuma runs the Production Assistance Program at Women Make Movies. Previously she founded and coordinated the Tribeca Latin America Media Arts Fund, and was director of the Media Arts Fellowships for the Rockefeller Foundation. She also worked with the Latin American Video Archive (LAVA) and the IFP. She is co-founder of Cine Qua Non Lab, a residency for international filmmakers that is based in Michoacan, Mexico, and sits on the Board of Trustees of the Flaherty Film Seminar and on the advisory board of Rooftop Films. Lucila is from Mexico City and lives in New York since 1996.

ELIZABETH NUñEZ

Elizabeth Nuñez is a Venezuelan-American journalist and producer, part of CNN’s documentary unit In America. She has worked on Black In America: Almighty Debt; Unwelcome: The Muslim’s Next Door and is currently in the production team of Latino in America 2: In Her Corner. Previously, Elizabeth worked on The Hugo Chavez Show documentary for Frontline/PBS. In Venezuela, she reported on politics and government for the Associated Press and before that worked for El Nacional Newspaper as the military correspondent. Elizabeth obtained dual master's degrees from Columbia University in International Affairs and Broadcast Journalism.

Best Short Film

ARACELI CRUZ

Araceli Cruz is a California native, covering arts & entertainment as Senior Associate Editor at the prominent Village Voice. Prior to making her quest to the East Coast, she majored in Journalism at the San Francisco State University, and left her mark in the media world as Features Reporter at The Press-Enterprise and Editor at nocheLatina. She also contributes her talent today as a Freelance writer in a diverse range of media. Her inspiration extends from, and towards, her involvement in the art world, contributing her own artwork as part of the art collective called Openings. You can follow Araceli on Facebook and Twitter @chelipj.

MICHAEL DAGNERY

Michael Dagnery is currently Vice President of Content Services and Development for MTV TR3s where he has developed and executive produced various productions such as Unplugged: Camila and Unplugged: Julieta Venegas (2008 Latin Grammy winner). He has also executive produced various projects for MTV International such as MTV At The Movies and MTV At The Playground (2009). While working as VP of Production for MTV Networks Latin America (MTVNLA), Dagnery co-produced the network’s flagship award show, Los Premios MTV (2003 - 2009). Previously, Dagnery was an independent producer living in Los Angeles where he began his MTV relationship as producer/director/editor of the highly rated and Peabody Award winning series Biorhythm for MTV US.

TAMIR MUHAMMAD

Tamir Muhammad currently serves as Director of Feature Programming at the Tribeca Film Institute where he’s responsible for directing and developing programs such as Tribeca All Access, TFI Sloan Fund, and other initiatives. He started his career with Tribeca in the office of Founder Jane Rosenthal during the inaugural year of the Tribeca Film Festival. Since that first year he has held several positions at numerous other festivals including The New York International Latino Film Festival and Urbanworld. Earning his B.F.A. at New York University (Tisch School of the Arts), Tamir also went on to serve as an international staff member for the University, traveling to such countries as South Africa, China, Brazil, and Cuba. He currently serves on the board for Firelight Media and Moving Mountains, Inc. along with consulting for other art organizations. Tamir also has several years of film and television production experience to his credit dating back to a stint at Department of Film (Goldcrest) and has scouted and developed the careers of several filmmakers.

NYILFF SPONSORS

The 2011 NYILFF is presented by HBO^®and HBO Latino^®, and made possible with the additional support of Heineken, American Airlines, Daily News/Viva, NBC 4 New York and Telemundo 47, 103.5 KTU, Terra.com and Wing Advertising. The NYILFF is also proud to have as Benefactors CNN, Fiji Water, Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Macy’s, L’Oréal Paris, Martin Códax and Las Rocas. The NYILFF Sprint EVOlution Industry Lounge is presented by Sprint. Media partners consist of El Especial/El Especialito Newspaper, Remezcla.com, HOMBRE Magazine, LatinTRENDS, Latina Media Ventures, Urban Latino Media Group, The Village Voice, NocheLatina.com, El Diario Impremedia, Jones Magazine and The Source. Venue partners are AMCÒ Empire 25, Clearview Chelsea Cinemas 9, Columbia University Medical Center, ImageNation Cinema Foundation and Mount Sinai Hospital. Industry Partners are Directors Guild of America, Screen Actors Guild and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers. Technology and Creative partners include Puenzo Hnos, Avid, Hula Post, Analog Digital, Slated and Spoon + Fork. Special Thanks to Color Latino, Nuela Restaurant, The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, and the New York Latin Media and Entertainment Commission and Reyes EntertainmentÒ.

ABOUT NYILFF

Launched in 1999, the New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) is now the premier Urban Latino film event in the country. The NYILFF’s mission is to showcase the works of the hottest emerging Latino filmmaking talent in the U.S. and Latin America, offer expansive images of the Latino experience, and celebrate the diversity and spirit of the Latino community. Programming includes the flagship film festival in NYC, new music and art showcases, family and community events, scholarships for aspiring filmmakers, and a nationally recognized short film competition in partnership with HBO. The NYILFF is the only film event to have had the endorsement of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s NYC Latin Media and Entertainment Commission since its formation in 2003.

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PRESS INQUIRIES:

NYILFF Agency of Record: Reyes Entertainment

Gabriel Reyes (512) 686-1488 – Gabriel@reyesentertainment.com

Yesenia De Avila (212) 653-6887 – Yesenia@reyesentertainment.com

Raymond Diaz (213) 908-6633- Raymond@reyesentertainment.com

FILM PUBLIC RELATIONS

Maria Lanao (786) 514-0301 – Maria@nylatinofilm.com

FILMMAKER RELATIONS

Ana Gomez (305) 771-3534 - Filmmakers@nylatinofilm.com

The 12th Annual NY Intl. Latino Film Festival Announces Opening and Closing

2011-08-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

FESTIVAL RUNS AUGUST 15-21 FEATURING SPECIAL PROGRAMS AT VENUES THROUGHOUT NEW YORK TICKETS ON SALE AUGUST 3

NEW YORK, NY (Aug. 4, 2011). HBO® Presents The New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF), which will open with the animated film CHICO & RITA and close with the 40^th anniversary screening of a re-mastered print of the classic concert film OUR LATIN THING (NUESTRA COSA), featuring the Fania All-Stars. NYILFF’s 12^th edition takes place from August 15-21 at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9, 260 West 23rd Street and AMC Empire 25 Theatres, 234 West 42^nd Street, New York City. NYLIFF will present over 100 features, documentaries and short films in English and Spanish, which reflect America’s cultural diversity as well as the global urban experience. To buy tickets, view trailers and schedules, log on to nylatinofilm.com.

Additionally, on Thursday, August 18, NYILFF will present “A Conversation with Andy Garcia”, an interview with one of America’s leading stars on his career and accomplishments as an actor, director, musician, producer and family man. At the event, Garcia will receive the NYILFF Impact Award, which is bestowed on an artist who has impacted the community with their body of work. Garcia will be on hand for the screening of MAGIC CITY MEMOIRS, an award-winning film he executive produced. The evening is Presented by Heineken.

Other Hollywood stars expected to attend are: Jennifer Esposito, Danny Glover, Tom Sizemore, Tony Plana, Fergus Riordan, Soledad O’Brien, Yareli Arizmendi, Celinés Toribio, Joaquim de Almeida, Jesse Garcia, Andres Dominguez, Michael Cardelle, Dominik Garcia-Lorido, Talia Rothenberg and many more.

The premiere Latino film festival in the nation kicks off with Cinema Under the Stars, a free outdoor screening on Monday, August 15 and launches officially with its Opening Night red carpet event on Tuesday, August 16. NYILFF continues through the week with nightly star-studded red carpet premieres and culminates with Awards Night on Sunday, August 21. Throughout the week, filmmakers, industry executives and film press convene at the EVOlution Industry Lounge for panels, performances, press interviews, photos and meet and greets. The EVOlution Industry Lounged is presented by Sprint and sponsored by Heineken, Martin Codax, Las Rocas and Fiji

NYILFF’s Domestic and International Features, Documentaries, and Shorts are in competition. Other categories include On The Edge, a showcase of progressive, non-traditional films, including horror, science fiction, animation and off-beat narratives. NYILFF Spectrum showcases global urban films, not limited to the Latino perspective; Rewind, features a film classic.

For the complete schedule, log on to www.nylatinofilm.com.

GREAT PROGRAMS ABOUT LATINO CULTURE COMING TO PBS IN JULY

2011-06-24T14:53:00.001-07:00

Tuesday, July 19, 2011, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET

INDEPENDENT LENS “Biblioburro”

Short listing: This is the story of a librarian — and a library — like no other. Luis Soriano spends his weekends bringing precious books, via two hard-working donkeys, to the children of a poor and violence-ridden province in Colombia. As Soriano braves armed bands, drug traffickers, snakes and heat, his library-on-hooves carries an inspirational message about education and a better future for his country.

Long listing: “Biblioburro” is the story of a librarian — and a library — like no other. A decade ago, Colombian teacher Luis Soriano was inspired to spend his weekends bringing a modest collection of precious books, via two hard-working donkeys, to the children of a poor and violence-ridden province. As Soriano braves armed bands, drug traffickers, snakes and heat, his library on hooves carries an inspirational message about education and a better future for Colombia. His efforts have attracted worldwide attention — and imitators — but his story has never been better told than in this heartwarming yet unsentimental film. Download press materials here: http://pressroom.pbs.org/Programs/p/POV/2405-Biblioburro-The-Donkey-Library.aspx

Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET 

SECRETS OF THE DEAD  “Lost in the Amazon”(repeat)  Short listing: A modern day quest to find the truth behind one of exploration's greatest mysteries: What happened to famed adventurer Col. Percy Fawcett who went looking for a city of gold — the Lost City of "Z" — in the Amazon in 1925 and disappeared in the jungles of Brazil forever?   Long listing: A modern day quest to find the truth behind one of exploration's greatest mysteries: What happened to famed adventurer Col. Percy Fawcett who went looking for a city of gold — the Lost City of "Z" — in the Amazon in 1925 and disappeared in the jungles of Brazil forever? New archaeological digs, the science behind the discovery of "newly found" jungle cities and clues collected over the years reveal the fate of Fawcett. The program unravels the truth of what really happened to Fawcett, and shares surprising finds that are causing experts to re-think the image of a pristine uninhabited Amazon rainforest: a place that before Columbus, may have had large populations living in sophisticated towns and cities. Fawcett may have actually discovered these ruins fueling his fervor to find the city of gold. The myth becomes reality!  Download press materials here: http://pressroom.pbs.org/Programs/s/SECRETS-OF-THE-DEAD/1102-Lost-in-the-Amazon.aspx

Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET 

NOVA “The Great Inca Rebellion” (repeat)

Short listing: The first NOVA/National Geographic Television special goes to an impoverished suburb of Lima, Peru, where an ancient cemetery crammed with mummies is excavated by Peruvian archaeologist Guillermo Cock. In a truly startling find, he discovers corpses that differ from all the rest.  

Long listing: They have been hastily buried and disfigured by multiple, appalling wounds and fractures. Forensic experts help to determine that these remains are victims of a battle that pitted club-wielding Inca warriors against Spanish cavalry. The forensic evidence may be a decisive clue that helps explain a long-standing mystery about the Spanish conquest of Peru. How, in 1532, did a tiny band of Spanish soldiers crush the mighty Inca Empire, then the most powerful civilization in the Americas? Were the conquistadors' obvious advantages - steel arms, gunpowder and horses - the key to their success, as is generally supposed? Or were disease and civil war more significant factors that were downplayed by the invaders? By uncovering new evidence from the Lima cemetery, NOVA and National Geographic reveal the untold final chapter of the conquest: not the Spanish walkover familiar from well-known accounts, but rather a protracted and complex war of astonishing brutality that almost led to the Spanish losing their precarious foothold in the Andes. Download press materials here: http://pressroom.pbs.org/Programs/n/NOVA/3409-The-Great-Inca-Rebellion.aspx

Wednesday, July 20, 2011, 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET

“Aztec Massacre” (repeat)   Short listing:  This episode paints a new picture of the violent relations between the Aztecs and the conquistadors and rewrites much of what we thought we knew about the Aztec civilization.

Long listing: Throughout recent times, historians have believed that when the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Aztec territory in the 15th century, they were welcomed as returning light-skinned gods by the Aztecs, who put up little resistance to their conquest. But now, a new find outside of Mexico City is turning history on its head. The discovery: more than 400 bodies, many of which show signs of having been mutilated and even eaten. More important, more than 40 of the bodies appear to be European, indicating that the Aztecs not only resisted the invaders, they sacrificed them to their gods, pulling their still-beating hearts from chests and stringing their heads (along with the heads of their horses) on wooden skull racks for public display. Exploring the archeology of the site, the forensics of the bones and beautiful but grotesque codices that document the events, this program paints a new picture of the violent relations between the Aztecs and the conquistadors and rewrites much of what we thought we knew about the Aztec civilization. Download press materials here: http://pressroom.pbs.org/Programs/s/SECRETS-OF-THE-DEAD/701-Aztec-Massacre.aspx

mun2 MAKES SUNDAY NIGHTS MUY CALIENTE THIS SUMMER WITH HOT NEW REALITY SERIES “BEAUTIES & THE BOSS,” PREMIERING SUNDAY, JUNE 19 AT 9 PM ET

2011-06-13T07:21:00.000-07:00

“Beauties & the Boss” Adds to mun2’s Sunday Night Original Programming Lineup Featuring Hit Bilingual Series “RPM MIAMI”

LOS ANGELES. Telemundo’s mun2, the #1 Hispanic lifestyle cable network for today’s young Latino Americans (YLAs) aged 18-34, is turning up the heat Sunday nights with a brand new reality series “Beauties & the Boss.” The one-hour, highly entertaining reality series is sure to satisfy your guilty pleasures as we go inside the life of Monica Weitzel, the young, Latina CEO of Assorted Flavors Agency, a Los Angeles based promotional modeling agency. With Monica comes a roster of sexy, bold, and unpredictable promo-girl beauties who take on the city of Los Angeles by day and spice up the nights during their exciting and glamorous work assignments. “Beauties & the Boss” premieres Sunday, June 19 at 9 PM ET on mun2. Visit: mun2.tv/boss.

(L-R) Karina, Diane, Monica and Jen C from mun2 new reality series, Beauties & The Boss arrive at premiere event at My Studio in Hollywood on June 8. Beauties & The Boss premieres Sunday, June 19 at 9 PM ET on mun2. Photo: Robson Muzel.

Running a successful promotions modeling agency is no easy feat, especially when you’re Monica. From juggling her models’ schedules and wild personalities, to their love triangles and arguments, Monica knows she has to keep it real and “handle” these fiery beauties whom she relies on to build her growing business.

“We’re very proud of ‘Beauties & the Boss’,” says Diana Mogollón, General Manager for mun2. “We want our viewers to feel like they are part of Monica’s world. We want them to live the excitement and the drama and be inspired by her drive and success.”

“mun2 continues to bring Latinos into the reality world, and Monica is the perfect example of a Latina creating a business that many people have seen but few people know about,” says Flavio Morales, SVP Programming and Production for mun2. “Like the models, the show is sexy, fun and uniquely American, and will make for some great summer television viewing.”

In the hour-long reality show, we meet some of Monica’s top models and immediately get caught up in the excitement and drama surrounding this group of beautiful women, who don’t always get along but must work together as Assorted Flavors’ promo girls. Meanwhile, back home, Monica’s traditional Latin family keeps her grounded as she reaches for her dreams.

Assorted Flavors provides models for a wide range of promotions and Monica is in charge of selecting the right models for each event. Assorted Flavors roster of beautiful women and men reflects the wide range of ethnicities and flavors of Latinos in LA. Whether a nightclub promo and a boxing event or a car and trade show, it isn’t a party unless the promo-girl beauties have checked in.

As Census figures show, Latinos are the nation’s fastest growing and youngest demo group, quickly becoming the new mainstream, general market consumers. As the #1 Hispanic cable lifestyle channel among YLAs, mun2 is leading the way with an impressive 42% year-to-year growth in persons 18-34 in total primetime and delivering a 72% share of YLAs.

mun2’s premiere Sundays kick off on June 19^th at 9pm ET/PT with “Beauties & the Boss,” followed by the hit series “RPM MIAMI” at 10pm ET/PT.

EL FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL DE CINE LATINO DE NUEVA YORK (NYILFF) CUMPLE DOCE AÑOS

2011-06-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

El Festival Internacional de Cine Latino de Nueva York (NYILFF) regresa con su doceava entrega del 15 al 21 de agosto 2011 en las salas Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 9, 260 West 23rd Street entre las 7th & 8th Aves. y AMC Empire 25 Theatres, 234 West 42^nd Street, Nueva York.

El festival de cine Latino número uno del país arranca con Cinema Bajo Las Estrellas, una exhibición gratuita al aire libre la noche del lunes 15 de agosto y sigue con su Noche de Apertura el martes 16. Cada noche del resto de la semana cuenta con estrenos de alfombra roja con celebridades. El festival culmina con su Noche de Premios el domingo 21. NYLIFF presentará más de 100 largometrajes, documentales y cortometrajes en inglés y español que reflejan la diversidad cultural de los Estados Unidos. NYILFF también ofrece paneles con ejecutivos de la industria, presentaciones musicales y el concurrido Salón de Industria donde se reúnen cineastas y miembros de la industria cada día del festival. Para más información y oportunidades de patrocinio, visite: nylatinofilm.com. NYILFF es presentado por HBO^®.

CRUZANDO, FILM ABOUT THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY, COMES TO DVD MAY 24

2011-05-18T12:33:00.000-07:00

VANGUARD CINEMA RELEASES THE AWARD-WINNING FILM CRUZANDO, A FUNNY AND HEARTWARMING IMMIGRATION STORY, COMING TO DVD MAY 24

“Beautiful Cinematography. Expert Acting. A Woody Allen-esque Bravado” —OC Weekly

“The Best Father-son/Roadtrip/Arrested Development Movie!” —Washington DC City Paper

Winner! Best Film Seattle True Independent Film Festival

Winner! Best Feature Athens International Film Festival

Winner! Silver Palm Award! Mexico International Film Festival

Winner! Grand Jury Award Best Actor Michael Escamilla San Antonio Film Festival

OFFICIAL SELECTION • 15 INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVALS

LOS ANGELES, CA. Vanguard Cinema will release the award-winning independent film CRUZANDO, a madcap buddy picture about Manuel, a Mexican youth desperate to cross the border and visit his long-lost father in a prison in Hunstville, Texas, before he is executed in seven days. Manuel is joined by his friend Diego on this crazy adventure that goes from hilarious comedy to heartwarming drama. CRUZANDO comes to DVD Tuesday, May 24 at Amazon.com, Netflix and other digital, cable and satellite TV platforms.

“We are excited about having CRUZANDO in our line up,” said Freyr Thor of Vanguard Cinema. “It’s an upbeat film about a very hot topic, and we are predicting its success based on previous comparative releases.”

CRUZANDO takes place along the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas and is directed by Michael Ray Escamilla and Mando Alvarado, who also hail from there. The producers will hold a special DVD Launch Event at The El Rey Theatre in McAllen, Texas on Saturday, June 4 and invite the public to come meet the stars and filmmakers.

CRUZANDO is directed by and stars Michael Ray Escamilla (Junkyard Jesus) as Manuel “Meme” Montes and Mando Alvarado as Diego. The cast is rounded out by David Barrera (Evan Almighty) as The Matador, Tony Campisi (Spider Man 2) as Earl, Gerardo Rodriguez as Ignacio, Montes Maria Helan as Maia and Janis Dardaris as Grace. The film is produced by Abby Paige Fenton, Rene Garza, Pete Miller, Donna Daley and Liza Rodriguez.

Many earnest films have been made recently about the struggles of Latin American migrants trying to cross into the U.S. for a better tomorrow; CRUZANDO isn't one of them. This madcap adventure follows the journey of two Mexican no‐hopers. CRUZANDO chronicles the real‐life hazards of such a trip but is as much a comedy as it is a drama. About a week before the birth of his first child, Manuel learns that his long‐lost father is about to be executed in Texas. Against his wife’s wishes he heads north, abandoning his job cleaning peep‐show booths at a strip club while being tracked by the club's brutal bouncer. Manuel's video cam‐toting pal Diego tags along, planning a documentary of the trek. Mistaken identities, family traumas, and dehydration complicate Manuel's quest, but he finally learns a familiar lesson: There's no place like home ‐ even if home is not all that great.

Join the CRUZANDO fan page on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. For more information: www.cruzandothemovie.com.

USA 2008 95 minutes color comedy Spanish w/English subtitles Not Rated Aspect Ratio 1.1:78 Widescreen

THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO - 15 de Mayo por PBS

2011-05-05T11:32:00.000-07:00

THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO (La tormenta que azotó Mexico) Un nuevo programa especial que saldrá al aire a nivel nacional por PBS Domingo, 15 de mayo de 2011, a las 10PM

THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO/ La tormenta que azotó Mexico es un nuevo y vibrante especial de dos horas de PBS que narra la historia épica de la Revolución Mexicana de 1910, la primera revolución política y social importante del Siglo 20. Alimentada por el creciente descontento del pueblo mexicano con un régimen gobernante elitista, la revolución produjo dos de las figuras míticas más fascinantes en la historia del Siglo 20—Emiliano Zapata y Francisco “Pancho” Villa. Lo que estaba en juego era el derecho que tenía México de reclamar sus propios recursos naturales, de establecer una democracia a largo plazo y de redefinir su identidad. El legado de la revolución incluye un nuevo compromiso para con la educación nacional, y la explosión de las artes, música, literatura y cine autóctono.

Además de captar el color, el drama, la intriga y la tragedia de la era, THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO también explora cómo la Revolución Mexicana no sólo cambió el curso de la historia de México al transformar el poder económico y político dentro de la nación, sino cómo también impactó profundamente la relación entre México, Estados Unidos y el resto del mundo. Narrada por el actor y dramaturgo Luis Valdez, dirigida por Raymond Telles y escrita y producida por Raymond Telles y Kenn Rabin, THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO/ La tormenta que azotó Mexico saldrá al aire por PBS a nivel nacional el Domingo 15 de mayo de 2011, a las 10PM (consulte la programación local).

La Revolución Mexicana fue parte de la primera ola de agitación política y social a nivel mundial que ocurrió a principios del siglo pasado. Los alzamientos nacionales no sólo ocurrieron en México, si no también en Rusia, Irán, China, y partes del Tercer Mundo. THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO explora los eventos que condujeron a la revolución, influyeron el curso del conflicto y determinaron sus consecuencias. Tambiénexplora el papel que ejercieron el recuerdo y el mito en moldear la percepción del público con respecto a la revolución y su legado.

La Revolución Mexicana fue la primera revolución importante en ser filmada. THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO incorpora fotografías y películas de estos primeros días del cine, muchas de las cuales nunca han sido vistas fuera de México.

THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO se desarrolla en dos partes. La primera hora, The Tiger is Unleashed, (El tigre se suelta), narra la lucha de Francisco I. Madero y sus seguidores por acabar con la dictadura de Porfirio Díaz, y sigue el surgimiento de dos extraordinarios líderes rebeldes, Emiliano Zapata y Francisco “Pancho” Villa. Pero la revolución no fue solamente un asunto interno, fue un evento internacional influenciado profundamente por la política exterior de Estados Unidos y de Europa.

La segunda hora, The Legacy, (El legado), examina la influencia internacional en la revolución, e investiga el extraordinario plan de Alemania de buscar el apoyo de México contra Estados Unidos en caso de que éste participara en la Primera Guerra Mundial. La segunda hora también explora cómo la Revolución Mexicana promovió una transformación cultural al igual que política. Comenzando en los 1920 y continuando hasta más allá de los 1940, los artistas mexicanos se dieron a conocer en los escenarios internacionales y Ciudad de México se convirtió en un centro de los movimientos de arte autóctono y muralista. Con este floreciente fondo cultural, la presidencia de Lázaro Cárdenas cumplió en muchos sentidos con las promesas políticas de la revolución. Pero después de la extraordinaria administración de Cárdenas, hubo un retroceso en la política, y en 1968, poco antes de que Ciudad de México fuera la sede de las Olimpíadas, estalló un nuevo tipo de revolución.

La dramática historia de la revolución es contada a través de entrevistas con una gran variedad de distinguidos especialistas en historia, economía, literatura, ciencias políticas, estudios de mujeres e historia del arte, al igual que con veteranos de la revolución que contaban todos con más de cien años en el momento en que fueron entrevistados.

THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO, cuya creación ha tomado 10 años, es una impactante exploración de una las eras más fascinantes de la historia moderna.

2THE STORM THAT SWEPT MEXICO es una coproducción de Paradigm Productions, Inc, y de Independent Television Services (ITVS) en asociación con Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB). La mayor parte de los fondos provienen del National Endowment for the Humanities, con fondos adicionales proveídos por el Corporation for Public Broadcasting, y The San Francisco Foundation.

Para una información más completa del programa, además de información detallada sobre la Revolución Mexicana y de las fascinantes figuras que tuvieron una participación fundamental en su historia, visite www.pbs.org y www.lpbp.org.

Los participantes, en orden alfabético:

Audias Anzures Soro- Veterano Zapatista (difunto)

Baldomero Blanquet- Veterano Zapatista (difunto)

Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas- Hijo del Ex-Presidente de México, Lázaro Cárdenas, y destacado político mexicano

Barry Carr- Historiador en La Trobe University, Melbourne Australia; actualmente profesor visitante en UC Berkeley.

Romana Falcón- Centro de Estudios Históricos, El Colegio de México

Adolfo Gilly- Profesor de Historia y Ciencias Políticas de la Escuela de Ciencias Sociales y Políticas en la Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

P. Edward Haley- Center for Human Rights Leadership, Claremont McKenna College Friedrich Katz- Departamento de Historia, University of Chicago (difunto)

Laura González Matute- Historia de Arte Mexicano, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Carlos Pacheco Valle- Veterano Zapatista (difunto) Max Parra- Profesor Asociado de Literatura Latinoamericana, UC San Diego Elena Poniatowska- Periodista/ novelista mexicana Ramón Ruiz- Historia Latinoamericana, UC San Diego (difunto)

Benjamín Sánchez- Veterano Zapatista (difunto) Alex Saragoza- Departmento de Estudios Étnicos, UC Berkeley Andrés Soto- Veterano Zapatista (difunto) Jesús Vargas- Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, México Jorge Zapata- Nieto de Emiliano Zapata

Acerca de los Realizadores:

Raymond Telles (Productor/ Director)

Telles es un productor veterano de muchos programas premiados que incluyen The Fight in the Fields (la biografía de César Chávez), Inside the Body Trade, Children of the Night (Frontline) y Race Is the Place. Él ha producido y dirigido programas para PBS, ABC, NBC, Discovery, y National Geographic. Telles ha ganado numerosos premios que incluyen el DuPont-Columbia Gold Baton, premios Emmy y de PBS Programming por Noticias y Programas de Actualidad, el Premio Ohio State, el premio Alma, premios en los festivales de cine de San Francisco, Chicago y Nueva York, además de otros numerosos premios por su trabajo en el cine y el periodismo en televisión. Él le aporta su pasión personal al proyecto: durante la revolución mexicana, su familia se vió dividida por puntos de vista políticos opuestos y por el caos de un país en guerra.

Kenn Rabin (Productor/ Archivista)

Rabin en un asesor, investigador de cine, y escritor que ha participado en numerosos programas de televisión y películas premiadas. Entre más de un centenar de créditos como productor y asesor, los más importantes son: Vietnam: A Television History, Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years, The Great Depression, American Experience, American Masters, Frontline y Bill Moyers’ Journal (todas para PBS), The Twentieth Century Project (ABC/NHK), 500 Nations (Kevin Costner para CBS) y Daughter from Danang. Él ha recibido dos nominaciones a los premios Emmy por su trabajo en documentales. Sus créditos de películas incluyen, Good Night and Good Luck, The Good German, y Milk. Rabin es el co-autor de Archival Storytelling: A Filmmaker’s Guide to Finding, Using, and Licensing Third-Party Visuals and Music.

Acerca de ITVS

El Independent Television Service (ITVS) auspicia y presenta documentales y dramas premiados en la televisión pública, proyectos de comunicación nuevos e innovadores para la Red y la serie semanal ganadora del premio Emmy Independent Lens (que se trasmite los martes a las 10 PM en PBS). ITVS es un milagro de la política pública, creado por activistas de los medios, ciudadanos y políticos que buscan fomentar la pluralidad y la diversidad en la televisión pública. ITVS fue establecido por un mandato histórico del Congreso para abogar por programas producidos independientemente que toman riesgos creativos, y alientan el diálogo público. Desde su inicio en 1991, los programas de ITVS han revitalizado la relación entre el público y la televisión pública, poniendo a los televidentes frente por frente a las vidas y a las preocupaciones de sus compatriotas. Para más información sobre ITVS visite www.itvs.org. ITVS es auspiciado por el Corporation for Public Broadcasting, una corporación privada auspiciada por el pueblo norteamericano.

Acerca de Latino Public Broadcasting

Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) apoya el desarrollo, producción, adquisición, y distribución de programas de servicio público de un contenido representativo del pueblo latino o que enfocan temas de interés a los latinoamericanos. Estos programas, que incluyen la serie “VOCES” son producidos para ser difundidos por la televisión pública. Edward James Olmos es el fundador y presidente de la Junta de Directores del LPB. Para más información visite www.lpb.org y www.voces.tv.

BLACK IN LATIN AMERICA sigue con Brazil: A Racial Paradise?

2011-05-02T08:52:00.000-07:00

La nueva serie de Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Black in Latin America, sigue con Brazil: A Racial Paradise? el martes, 3 de mayo a las 8 p.m. por PBS

Black in Latin America, una nueva serie sobre la influencia africana en Latinoamérica, es el 11º y más reciente documental del reconocido académico de Harvard, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. La serie sigue con:

Capítulo tres, martes 3 de mayo: Brazil: A Racial Paradise?

En Brasil, el profesor Gates investiga detrás de la fachada del carnaval para descubrir cómo esta “nación color arco iris” despierta ante el legado de ser la economía de esclavos más grande del mundo.

Capítulo cuatro, martes 10 de mayor: México y Perú: La abuela negra en el closet

En México y Perú, el profesor Gates explora la historia prácticamente desconocida del gran número de afrolatinos – los dos países combinados recibieron muchos más esclavos que Estados Unidos – que fueron llevados a estos países en siglos tan tempranos como los siglos XVI y XVII y las nuevas culturas que sus descendientes crearon en Veracruz en el Golfo de México, en la región de Costa Chica en el Pacífico y dentro y cerca de Lima, en Perú.

Cada capítulo esta disponible por internet trás su transmisión. Haz clic aquí para verlos: http://video.pbs.org/video/1877436791/

Black in Latin America, sigue con Cuba: La Próxima Revolución

2011-04-25T08:55:00.000-07:00

La nueva serie de Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Black in Latin America, sigue con Cuba: La Próxima Revolución el martes, 26 de abril a las 8 p.m. por PBS

Black in Latin America, una nueva serie en cuatro partes sobre la influencia africana en Latinoamérica, es el 11º y más reciente documental del reconocido académico de Harvard, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. La serie estrenó el martes 19 de abril con el primer capítulo: Haiti y la República Dominicana: Una Isla Dividida y sigue con:

Capítulo dos, martes, abril 26: Cuba: La próxima revolución

En Cuba, el profesor Gates descubre cómo la cultura, la religión, la política y la música de la isla están inextricablemente conectadas a la enorme cantidad de mano de obra esclava importada para generar la gigantesca industria azucarera del siglo XIX y cómo la raza y el racismo han desaparecido desde la revolución comunista de Fidel Castro en 1959.

Capítulo tres, martes 3 de mayo: Brazil: El paraíso racial?

Capítulo cuatro, martes 10 de mayor: México y Perú: La abuela negra en el closet

Cada capítulo esta disponible por internet trás su transmisión. Haz clic aquí para verlos: http://video.pbs.org/video/1877436791/

BLACK IN LATIN AMERICA COMING TO PBS APRIL 19

2011-04-05T07:05:00.000-07:00

Henry Louis Gates, Jr., uncovers Latin America’s African roots

in new four-part series, Black in Latin America,

premiering Tuesday, April 19 at 8 p.m. on PBS

Black in Latin America is the 11^th documentary from Professor Gates whose previous PBS projects include “African American Lives 1 and 2,” “Oprah’s Roots,” “Looking for Lincoln,” and “Faces of America,” among others

Six Latin-American countries are featured in the series:

Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru

The series is the third part of a trilogy which began 12 years ago with

“Wonders of the African World”

Black in Latin America, a new four-part series on the influence of African descent on Latin America, is the 11^th and latest documentary film from renowned Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr., presenter and writer of the acclaimed PBS series African American Lives (2006), Oprah’s Roots (2007), African American Lives 2 (2008), Looking for Lincoln (2009), and Faces of America (2010).

Black in Latin America is the third of a trilogy that began in 1999 with the broadcast of Professor Gates first series for public television, Wonders of the African World, an exploration of the relationship between Africa and the New World, a story he continued in 2004 with America Beyond the Color Line, a report on the lives of modern-day African Americans. Black in Latin America, premiering nationally Tuesdays April 19 and 26 and May 3 and 10, 2011 at 8 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings), examines how Africa and Europe came together to create the rich cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Latin America is often associated with music, monuments, and sun, but each of the six countries featured in Black in Latin America including Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, and Peru, has a secret history. On his journey, Professor Gates discovers, behind a shared legacy of colonialism and slavery, vivid stories and people marked by African roots.

Twelve-and-a-half million Africans were shipped to the New World during the Middle Passage. While just over 11.0 million survived the arduous journey, only about 450,000 of them arrived in the United States. The rest—more than 10.5 million—were taken to the Caribbean and Latin America and kept in bondage far longer than the slaves in the United States. This astonishing fact changes the entire picture of the history of slavery in the Western hemisphere, and of its lasting cultural impact. These millions of Africans created new and vibrant cultures, magnificently compelling syntheses of various African, English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish influences.

Despite their great numbers, the cultural and social worlds that they created remain largely unknown to most Americans, except for certain popular, cross-over musical forms. In his new series, Professor Gates sets out on a quest to discover how Latin Americans of African descent live now; how Latin-American countries acknowledge—or deny--their African past; and how the fact of race and African ancestry play themselves out in the multicultural worlds of the Caribbean and Latin America. Starting with the slave experience and extending to the present, Professor Gates unveils the history of the African presence in six Latin-American countries through art, music, cuisine, dance, politics, and religion, but also the very palpable presence of anti-black racism that has sometimes sought to keep the black cultural presence from view.

Episode One: Haiti & the Dominican Republic: An Island Divided

In Haiti, Professor Gates tells the story of the birth of the first-ever black republic and finds out how the slaves’ hard-fought liberation over Napoleon Bonaparte’s French Empire became a double-edged sword. In the Dominican Republic, Professor Gates explores how race has been socially constructed in a society whose people reflect centuries of inter-marriage and how the country’s troubled history with Haiti informs notions about racial classification.

Episode Two: Cuba: The Next Revolution

In Cuba, Professor Gates finds out how the culture, religion, politics, and music of this Island are inextricably linked to the huge amount of slave labor imported to produce its enormously profitable 19^th-century sugar industry and how race and racism have fared since Fidel Castro’s Communist revolution in 1959.

Episode Three: Brazil: A Racial Paradise?

In Brazil, Professor Gates delves behind the façade of Carnaval to discover how this ‘rainbow nation’ is waking up to its legacy as the world’s largest slave economy.

Episode Four: Mexico & Peru: A Hidden Race

In Mexico and Peru, Professor Gates explores the almost unknown history of the significant numbers of black people—the two countries together received far more slaves than did the United State —brought to these countries as early as the 16^th and 17^th centuries and the worlds of culture that their descendants have created in Vera Cruz on the Gulf of Mexico, the Costa Chica region on the Pacific, and in and around Lima, Peru.

In Black in Latin America, Professor Gates’ journey becomes ours as viewers are introduced to the faces and voices of the descendants of the Africans who created these worlds. He shows the similarities and distinctions between these cultures and how the New-World manifestations are rooted in, but distinct from, their African antecedents. A quest he began 12 years ago with Wonders of the African World comes full circle in Black in Latin America, an effort to discover how Africa and Europe combined to create the vibrant cultures of Latin America, with a rich legacy of thoughtful, articulate subjects whose stories are astonishingly moving and irresistibly compelling.

The companion book, Black in Latin America, written by Professor Gates, will be published in 2011 by NYU Press.

Black in Latin America is a production of Inkwell Films, Wall to Wall Productions, and THIRTEEN in association with WNET. Written and presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Executive producers are Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Jonathan Hewes, and William R. Grant. Series producer is Ricardo Pollack. Directors are Ricardo Pollack (Haiti & the Dominican Republic: An Island Divided and Brazil: A Racial Paradise?), Diene Petterle (Cuba: The Next Revolution), and Ilana Trachtman (Mexico & Peru: A Hidden Race).

Funding for Black in Latin America is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Public Television Stations, and Viewers Like You. Additional funding is provided by the Ford Foundation, Richard Gilder, and Alphonse Fletcher.

Pictured below: Dr. Henry Louis Gates in Cuba (Photo: Courtesy WNET)

The Best of Laugh-In on PBS - All Month!

2011-03-07T13:03:00.000-08:00

THE BEST OF LAUGH-IN

March 2011 (check local listings)

– A Look Back at the Comedy Series That Transformed Television –

Before Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show or The Colbert Report, there was Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-in, one of the most revolutionary television shows of all time. From 1968 until 1973, Laugh-in frequently was seen by 50 million viewers, capturing the zeitgeist of the era with its anarchic energy and pop aesthetic. Combining the blackout comedy of the vaudeville tradition with a 1960s-style “happening,” psychedelic costumes, graphics, graffiti, outrageous characters, and a new political awareness, Laugh-in became one of the most popular shows in history. THE BEST OF LAUGH-IN is a delightful tribute to the comedy-variety program, which not only transformed television but became an important training ground for an entire generation of young writers and comic talent. THE BEST OF LAUGH-IN is part of special programming premiering on PBS stations beginning March 5, 2011 and airing throughout the month (CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS).

n an age of “sit-ins,” “love-ins” and “teach-ins,” NBC presented a “Laugh-in,” which somehow bridged the generation gap. Originally a one-shot special, Laugh-in was an immediate hit and quickly became the highest-rated series of the late 1960s and early 70s. In a decade of shouted slogans, bumper stickers, and protest signs, Laugh-in translated its comedy into bursts of topical one-liners hurled helter-skelter at the TV audience. Many of these lines became popular catch phrases, including “Sock it to me,” “Here come de Judge,” “You bet your sweet bippy,” and “Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls.”

THE BEST OF LAUGH-IN revisits the 60s and explores how this game-changing show broke down the traditional separation of comedy, musical performance, and dramatic interludes which marked most earlier variety shows. Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, successful Las Vegas entertainers, sought to orchestrate the proceedings but were constantly swamped by the flow of sight gags and eccentric performances surrounding them. Similarly, guest stars played no privileged role here. Everyone seemed to want to appear on Laugh-in, with guests on one memorable episode including John Wayne, Jack Lemmon, Sammy Davis Jr., Kirk Douglas, and even the Reverend Billy Graham and presidential candidate Richard Nixon.

The comic regulars — Goldie Hawn’s giggly blonde, Judy Carne’s “Sock-It-To-Me” girl, Lily Tomlin’s snorting telephone operator, JoAnne Worley’s anti-chicken-joke militant, Gary Owens’ over-modulated announcer, Ruth Buzzi’s perpetually-frustrated spinster, Arte Johnson’s lecherous old man, Henry Gibson’s soft-spoken banal poet, Pigmeat Markham’s all-powerful “Here come de Judge,” and countless others — dominated the program. Many of these comic actors moved almost overnight from total unknowns to household names and many became important stars in the subsequent decades.

Says producer/creator George Schlatter, “Laugh-In was a free fall of television without a net. It was dangerous. It was controversial. It was totally unpredictable and always funny.”

PBS special programming invites viewers to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; hear diverse viewpoints; and take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. Viewer contributions are an important source of funding, making PBS programs possible. PBS and public television stations offer all Americans from every walk of life the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content.

Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS

Producer: George Schlatter Productions

PBS PRESENTA EL ESTRENO PARA LA TELEVISION NORTEAMERICANA DEL “CONCIERTO 25 ANIVERSARIO DE LES MISÉRABLES EN EL O2”

2011-03-02T06:35:00.000-08:00

Domingo 6 de marzo de 2011, 7:00 p.m., hora del este en las estaciones de PBS de todo el país (consulte su teleguia local).

– El legendario musical celebra su 25 aniversario con un elenco de estrellas -

Arlington, VA – 31 de enero de 2011 – Cuando Les Misérables se estrenó en el Barbican Theatre de Londres el 8 de octubre de 1985 nadie podría haber imaginado que se convertiría en un fenómeno mundial. Pero el público de todo el mundo lo recibió con brazos abiertos desde el comienzo, creando un "musical para la gente" que se ha representado en 42 países y ha sido visto por casi 60 millones de personas. En 2010, el legendario musical celebró su 25 aniversario, y el productor Cameron Mackintosh montó para la ocasión la puesta de un extraordinario concierto en el O2 Arena de en Londres. EL CONCIERTO 25 ANIVERSARIO DE LES MISÉRABLES EN EL O2 se podrá ver por primera vez en Estados Unidos el domingo 6 de marzo de 2011 entre las
7:00 y las 11:00 p.m., hora del este
a través de PBS.

Con más de 500 actores y músicos (entre los que se encuentran Alfie Boe, Jenny Galloway, Katie Hall, Nick Jonas, Norm Lewis, Matt Lucas, Lea Salonga y Colm Wilkinson), EL CONCIERTO 25 ANIVERSARIO DE LES MISÉRABLES EN EL O2 incluye al reparto de la extensa puesta original del Queen’s Theatre de Londres de octubre de 2010 y miembros del reparto original de Londres de 1985. Este concierto se vio además en salas de cine de todo el mundo.

Photo: Alfie Boe, Colm Wilkinson, Ramin Karimloo and Nick Jonas. Courtesy of Dan Wooler.

THE WASTELAND NOMINADA AL OSCAR COMO MEJOR DOCUMENTAL

2011-02-10T17:19:00.000-08:00

WASTE LAND SE ESTRENA EN LA SERIE DE PBS INDEPENDENT LENS EL MARTES, 19 DE ABRIL DE 2011 A LAS 10 PM

El poder transformador del arte revelado en el basural más grande del mundo

“El momento en que una cosa se transforma en otra es el momento más hermoso. Una combinación de sonidos se transforma en música. Y eso se aplica a todas las cosas”. – Vik Muniz

(San Francisco, California) — Filmada durante casi tres años, Waste Land de Lucy Walker sigue al reconocido artista Vik Muniz en su viaje desde su hogar en Brooklyn hasta su país natal, Brasil, dondé está Jardim Gramacho, el basural más grande del mundo ubicado en las afueras de Río de Janeiro. Allí, Muniz fotografía a una ecléctica banda de catadores – gente que recupera material reciclable – y trabaja con ellos para “pintar” sus retratos con deshechos. El resultado de esta colaboración ofrece una evidencia conmovedora del poder transformador del arte y su impacto en el espíritu humano. Waste Land, que figura en la corta lista de la Academia de Artes y Ciencias Cinematográficas como Mejor Documental, se estrenará en la serie de PBS ganadora del Emmy® Independent Lens, presentada por America Ferrera, el martes 19 de abril de 2011 a las 10 PM (consulte su programación local).

Se estima que entre 3.000 y 5.000 personas viven en Jardim Gramacho, mientras que 15.000 obtienen sus ingresos por actividades relacionadas con el basural; algunas familias han estado trabajando allí durante tres generaciones. Muniz se sorprendió al conocer a la comunidad de personas que juntan los deshechos reciclables de Río para poder vivir. “Esperaba ver a gente doblegada y vencida, pero son sobrevivientes”, dice. Colabora con un número de catadores en una serie de retratos de grandes dimensiones, incluyendo a Irma, una cocinera que vende comida en el basural; Zumbi, el intelectual del basurero que ha guardado cada libro que ha encontrado; y Suelem, de 18 años, que llegó cuando sólo tenía siete años.

Tras finalizar la serie de retratos, Muniz subasta cada uno de ellos en la reconocida casa de subastas Phillipe de Pury en Londres, donde se venden por más de $50.000. Todas las ganancias son donadas a la Asociación de Recolectores de Basura de Jardim Gramacho, cuyo joven y carismático presidente Tiaio verá cómo su vida cambia para siempre.

Para conocer más sobre la película, visite el sitio interactivo en Internet de Waste Land en pbs.org

que tiene una entrevista con el realizador y vínculos y recursos relacionados con la temática de la película. El sitio también tiene una sección donde el público puede compartir sus ideas y opiniones, ver un adelanto de la película, y mucho más.

Vik Muniz at Jardim Gramacho in INDEPENDENT LENS "Waste Land."

Sobre Vik Muniz

Vik Muniz nació en una familia de clase trabajadora en Sao Paulo, Brasil, en 1961. De joven fue baleado en una pierna al intentar separar una pelea. Recibió una compensación por sus heridas y utilizó el dinero para comprar un pasaje a Nueva York, donde ha vivido y trabajado desde finales de los '80s. Comenzó su carrera como escultor, pero gradualmente fue interesándose más por las reproducciones fotográficas de su trabajo, y eventualmente se volcó a la fotografía. Incorpora una gran variedad de materiales poco usuales en su proceso. Trabajando por lo general en series, ha utilizado tierra, diamantes, azúcar, soga, chocolate líquido y basura para crear imágenes atrevidas, inteligentes y muchas veces engañosas extraídas de las páginas del periodismo fotográfico y la historia del arte. Su trabajo ha sido recibido con éxito comercial y se ganó el favor de la crítica, con muestras en todo el mundo. Su exhibición solista en MAM en Río de Janeiro sólo fue superada en asistencia por Picasso; y fue aquí donde Muniz exhibió su serie “Pictures of Garbage” en Brasil.

Sobre la realizadora

Lucy Walker (directora) usa dramáticas técnicas de realización para hacer documentales siguiendo a personajes memorables en viajes transformadores, ofreciendo una mirada única a mundos vedados. Además de Waste Land, Walker dirigió otro largo documental que se estrenó en Sundance en 2010 y fue recientemente estrenado en salas: Countdown to Zero, una terrible revelación de la actual amenaza del terrorismo nuclear y la proliferación.

Las películas anteriores de Walker incluyen Blindsight, el viaje emocional de seis adolescentes tibetanos que escalan la ladera norte del monte Everest junto a su héroe, el montañista norteamericano ciego Erik Weihenmeyer, y su maestro, Sabriye Tenberken, que fundó Braille Without Borders, la única escuela para ciegos en Tibet. Devil’s Playground examina la lucha de los adolescentes amish durante su período de experimentación (rumspringa). Sus créditos también incluyen Blue’s Clues de Nickelodeon, por la cual fue nominada dos veces al Emmy a la mejor dirección de una serie infantil, y varios cortos narrativos que han ganado distintos premios.

Walker creció en Londres, Inglaterra, y se graduó de la Oxford University. Ganó una beca Fulbright para el programa de posgrado de cine de la New York University, donde obtuvo su master en bellas artes. Mientras estudiaba en NY, trabajó de noche como músico y DJ, y conoció a Moby, que contribuyó con la música de Waste Land.

Sobre Independent Lens

Independent Lens es una serie semanal ganadora del Emmy que se emite por PBS. La reconocida serie presenta documentales y un limitado número de películas de ficción unidas por la libertad creativa, la realización artística y las visiones inclaudicables de sus productores independientes. Independent Lens presenta historias inolvidables sobre individuos, comunidades y momentos únicos de la historia. Presentada por Independent Television Services (ITVS), la serie cuenta con el apoyo de sitios de Internet interactivos y publicidad nacional, junto con campañas de comunicación y difusión. Independent Lens es curada en conjunto por ITVS y PBS, y cuenta con fondos de la Corporation for Public Broadcasting, una corporación privada fundada por el pueblo norteamericano, con fondos adicionales de PBS y el National Endowment for the Arts. Lois Vossen es productora de la serie.

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PBS Presents The Smartest Night on Television - Wed., February 9

2011-02-02T14:08:00.000-08:00

FROM ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, NOVA INVITES VIEWERS TO “SMARTEN UP” WITH “THE SMARTEST NIGHT ON TV,” A PBS PRIMETIME EVENT WITH THREE ALL-NEW PREMIERES

Premiering Wednesday, February 9, 2011, from 8-11pm ET/PT on PBS

CULMINATING IN A NOVA SPECIAL PRESENTATION:

“Smartest Machine on Earth: Can A Computer Win On Jeopardy!?”

BOSTON, MA [FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE] – Who’s the smartest of them all? Get ready to match wits with smart animals, smart materials, and smart machines, when PBS airs a mind-blowing three hours of science premieres in a specially themed primetime programming event airing on Wednesday, February 9, 2011, from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm ET/PT.

On this evening “The Smartest Night on Television,” NOVA takes a 360- degree look at what it means to be “smart”:

• 8 pm ET/PT: The evening kicks off with NOVA scienceNOW’s How Smart Are Animals? hosted by Neil deGrasse Tyson, a program that offers remarkable findings and footage of animal intelligence and the surprising behavior of several kinds of animals, including dogs, dolphins, and talking birds that researchers are revealing.

• 9 pm ET/PT: Next up: New York Times technology reporter David Pogue hosts Making Stuff: Smarter: the fourth and final installment of NOVA’s fascinating series on materials science, spotlighting the latest developments in “smart materials” many inspired by nature and containing the potential to transform our lives.

• 10 pm ET/PT: The evening culminates with a NOVA special presentation: Smartest Machine on Earth: Can a Computer Win on Jeopardy!?

Smartest Machine on Earth chronicles NOVA’s unprecedented, behind- the-scenes access to IBM researchers as they develop the technology for Watson, the state-of-the-art computing system, named after company founder Thomas J. Watson. The film examines the technological feats and hurdles necessary to develop “Watson,” the challenges artificial intelligence researchers face in mimicking the human thought process, and potential applications for the future.

For more information log on to pbs.org.

Photo: An army tanker truck that heals its own bullet wounds. An airplane wing that changes shape as it flies. Clothing that can monitor its wearer’s heart rate, health and mood. Host David Pogue (pictured above) looks into the growing number of smart materials that can respond, change and even learn. Courtesy of Powderhouse Productions.

WASTE LAND, Currently on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Short List for Best Documentary

2011-01-25T12:12:00.000-08:00

WASTE LAND PREMIERES ON THE PBS SERIES INDEPENDENT LENS ON

TUESDAY, APRIL 19, 2011 AT 10 PM

The Transformative Power of Art Revealed in the World's Largest Garbage Dump

"The moment when on thing turns into another is the most beautiful moment. A combination of sounds turns into music. And that applies to everything." - Vik Muniz

(San Francisco, CA) - Filmed over nearly three years, Lucy Walker's Waste Land follows renowned artist vik Muniz as he journeys from his home base in Brooklyn to his home country of Brazil, and to Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest garbage dump located on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro. There, Muniz photographs an eclectic band of catadores - pickers of recyclable materials - and works with them to "paint" their portraits using garbage. The resulting collaboration with these inspiring characters provides profoundly moving evidence of the transformative power of art and its impact on the human spirit. Waste Land, currently on the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Short List for Best Documentary, will premiere on the Emmy® Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens, hosted by America Ferrera, on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 10 PM (check local listings).

An estimated 3,000 to 5,000 people live in Jardim Gramacho, while 15,000 derive their income from activities related to it;; some are from families who have been working there for three generations. Muniz was surprised to meet the community of people who scavenge the recyclable refuse of Rio to make a living. "I was expecting to see people who were beaten and broken, but they were survivors," he says. He collaborates with a number of catadores on large-scale portraits of themselves, including Irma, a cook who sells food in the dump; Zumbi, the resident intellectual who has held on to every book he has scavanged; an 18-year-old Duelem, who first arrived there when she was seven.

Upon finishing the series of portraits, Muniz takes one of them to auction at the esteemed Phillipe de Pury auction house in London, where it sells for over $50,000. One hundred percent of the profits are returned to Garbage Pickers Association of Jardim Gramacho, whose young, charismatic president Tiao finds his life changed forever.

To learn more about the film, visit the Waste Land interactive companion website at pbs.org, which features an interview with the filmmaker and links and resources pertaining to the film's subject matter. The site also features a Talkback section, where viewers can share their ideas and opinions, preview clips of the film, and more.

About Vik Muniz
Vik Muniz was born into a working-class family in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1961. As a young man, he was shot in the leg while trying to break up a fight. He received compensation for his injuries and used this money to fund a trip to New York City, where he has lived and worked since the late 1980s. He began his career as a sculptor, but gradually became more interested in photographic reproductions of his work, eventually turning his attention exclusively to photography. He incorporates a multiplicity of unlikely materials into this photographic process. Often working in series, he has used dirt, diamonds, sugar, string, chocolate syrup, and garbage to create bold, witty, and often deceiving images drawn from the pages of photojournalism and art history. His work has been met with both commercial success and critical acclaim, and has been exhibited worldwide. His solo show at MAM in Rio de Janeiro was second only to Picasso in attendance records; it was here that Muniz first exhibited his "Pictures of Garbage Series" in Brazil.

About the Filmmaker
Lucy Walker (Director) uses dramatic filmmaking techniques to make documentary films, following memorable characters on transformative journeys that grant unique access inside closed worlds. In addition to Waste Land, Walker directed a second feature documentary that premiered at Sundance 2010 and was recently released in theaters: Countdown to Zero, a terrifying expose of the current threat of nuclear terrorism and proliferation.

Walker's previous films include Blindsight, the emotional journey of six blind Tibetan teenagers who climb up the north side of Mt. Everest with their hero, blind American mountaineer Erik Weihenmeyer, and their teacher, Sabriye Tenberken, who founded Braille Without Borders, the only school for the blind in Tibet. Devil's Playground examined the struggles of Amish teenagers during their period of experimentation (rumspringa). Her credits also include Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues,, for which she was twice nominated for Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Direction in a Children's Series, and several award-winning narrative short films.

Walker grew up in London, England and graduated from Oxford University. She won a Fulbright Scholarship to attend New York University's Graduate Film Program, where she earned her MFA. While at NYU, she moonlighted as a musician and DJ, and met Moby, who contributed the music for Waste Land.

About Independent Lens
Independent Lens is an Emmy Award-winning weekly series airing on PBS. The acclaimed anthology series features documentaries and a limited number of fiction films united by the creative freedom, artistic achievement, and unflinching visions of their independent producers. Independent Lens features unforgettable stories about unique individuals, communities, and moments in history. Presented by the Independent Television Service (ITVS), the series is supported by interactive companion websites and national publicity and community engagement campaigns. Independent Lens is jointly curated by ITVS and PBS, and is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people, with additional funding provided by PBS and the National Endowment for the Arts. The series producer is Lois Vossen.

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AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Presents Panama Canal on PBS - Monday, January 24 at 9 PM ET

2011-01-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE Presents Panama Canal

New film documents the human drama behind the creation of one of the wonders of the modern world.

Premieres Monday, January 24, 2011 at 9 PM ET on PBS.

On August 15, 1914, the Panama Canal opened, connecting the world's two largest oceans and signaling America's emergence as a global superpower. American ingenuity and innovation had succeeded where, just a few years earlier, the French had failed disastrously. But the U.S. paid a price for victory: more than a decade of ceaseless, grinding toil, an outlay of more than $350 million - the largest single federal expenditure in history to that time - and the loss of more than 5,000 lives.

Along the way, Central America witnessed the brazen overthrow of a sovereign government, a revolutionary public health campaign, the backbreaking removal of hundreds of millions of tons of earth and construction on an unprecedented scale. The story of the canal features a delightful cast of colorful characters ranging from an indomitable president to visionary engineers to tens of thousands of workers from around the world, rigidly segregated by race. Using an extraordinary archive of photographs and footage, some remarkable interviews with canal workers and firsthand accounts of life in the Canal zone, director Stephen Ives and producer Amanda Pollak (AMERICAN EXPERIENCE "New Orleans" and "Roads to Memphis") unravel the remarkable story of one of the world's most significant technological achievements.