Filmmakers Corner - Documentary and Educational Media Blog

Mandela Day Screenings of "Viva Nelson Mandela"

2009-07-14T10:35:00.001-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce that in honor on Mandela Day (July 18th), the following venues will be holding free screenings of our recent release "Viva Nelson Mandela".

San Diego Public Library
Literature Section
820 E Street
San Diego, CA 92101
July 18th - 2 pm screening
http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/

July 18th at 2pm
Rabb Auditorium
Boston Public Library
Central Library - The Johnson Building
700 Boylston Street, Copley Square
Boston, MA 02116
http://www.bpl.org/

July 18th at 3pm
African American Museum & Library at Oakland
659 14th St.
Oakland, CA 94612-1242
http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/AAMLO/

Please consult each venues website or call them for more information. To learn more about the film and watch a trailer, click here.

New Film on Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women Coming Soon.

2009-06-11T16:44:00.000-07:00

Long Awaited Documentary on Acclaimed Blues Band Saffire to be Released July 21st on DVD.

Choices Inc, a distributor of documentaries and independent feature films announced the upcoming DVD release of Hot Flash, a new documentary on Saffire -The Uppity Blues Women.

The new film chronicles the history and enduring legacy of one of the most popular blues bands performing today. After 25 years of recording and performing, Saffire has embarked on their final nationwide tour promoting their new album “Having The Last Word”.

The DVD will include extended interviews, an educational guidebook, photo gallery and much more! SRP is $19.95.

PRE-ORDER TODAY AND GET 20% OFF!

As a special offer to all Saffire fans, Choices is offering 20% off to those who pre-order the DVD at their website www.choicesvideo.net. Those who pre-order will be the first to receive their copy when it is released July 21st.

To order, please visit www.choicesvideo.net and use coupon code “Saffire” or call 1-888-570-5400 and mention the 20% offer when ordering. One time use per customer.

Watch a clip of the film here.

For more information about the film, please call 1-888-570-5400.

Viva Nelson Mandela - New From Choices

2009-05-07T13:12:00.000-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of our latest film, Viva Nelson Mandela: A Hero For All Seasons.

VIVA NELSON MANDELA: A Hero For All Seasons is a celebration of an icon, a titan of our times and a giant among men. In the year of his 90th birthday, he remains a man at the center of attention, not only in South Africa, but around the world as a moral leader, an elder statesman and an exceptional human being.

The film takes the viewer on an intimate journey behind the headlines and away from the public eye and looks at the man himself as a loyal friend, a dependable comrade, a trusted confidant, a respected mentor, and a man who has touched and transformed countless lives. For the first time his complete story is being told – a life of struggle, humanity, destiny and greatness is recalled and celebrated by those who knew him best and who worked with him in the quest to break the chains of oppression, taking us beyond the political and into the personal.

The DVD will be released on May 19th, 2009 and will retail for $24.95. To learn more, please visit www.choicesvideo.net

Danny Schechter Article on Obama's Post- Election Goals

2009-04-22T11:46:00.001-07:00

Danny Schechter, director of "Barack Obama: People's President" posted this article on Media Channel.org about his new film and Obama's post-election plans.

http://www.mediachannel.org/wordpress/2009/04/17/new-film-tells-unreported-story-of-obamas-election/

Barack Obama: People's President - New From Choices

2009-04-09T13:49:00.000-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of our new DVD: Barack Obama: People's President.

The one story that most TV outlets didn't tell in the 2008 election was the most important one -how did a young and relatively unknown candidate become President? If you voted for Barack Obama or not, this is a story you will want to know because it shows how the face of presidential politics changed forever.

BARACK OBAMA PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT goes inside the official and unofficial campaign to show how Barack Obama was turned into a political brand to appeal to young first time voters. It shows how social networking on the internet—blogs, Facebook, texting and other techniques were used carry the message to the masses and to raise tens of millions of dollars for the campaign. Popular online videos such as "Obama Girl", along with those created by regular yet passionate supporters to engage their own communities, became one of the most important tools in the campaign's success.

Featuring interviews with media analysts, activists, journalists and grassroots organizers, BARACK OBAMA PEOPLE’S PRESIDENT will be a valuable resource for those seeking to inspire change in their community as well as a treasured keepsake of this historic campaign.

The DVD will be released on April 21st and will retail for $24.95. To learn more visit www.choicesvideo.net

Choices is now on Facebook and Twitter

2009-04-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

We invite everyone to keep up with the latest news, releases, special events and more on both our new Facebook and Twitter profiles.

To join our FACEBOOK page, Click Here.

To follow us on TWITTER, Click Here.

The World of the Doll Artist - New Release

2009-02-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of The World of the Doll Artist which explores the passion and the creative process of doll making. Learn from world-renowned artists Olga Roehl, Shelly Thornton, Gail Lackey, Nancy Wiley, the Creagers and more as they discuss their inspiration, approach to craft, and design techniques. Viewers will get a first look at the latest work of these amazing artisans through up-close and vivid photography.

For newcomers and long time fans of doll making, The World of the Doll Artist will serve as a treasured resource for years to come.

The DVD will be released on February 24th and will sell for $19.95. To learn more please visit www.choicesvideo.net or here.

To view a trailer of the film, click here.

Marketing and Fulfillment Services for Self-Distributors

2009-02-03T11:39:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to now offer DVD Marketing and Fulfillment services for your project.

Ideal for those planning to self-distribute their next film, prepare for festival screenings and/or create their own outreach strategy, Choices offers a wide variety of design, marketing and fulfillment services backed by our twenty years plus experience in the home video and documentary marketplace.

And for those in the Los Angeles area, we offer an in-house, Mac based editing system.

For more information, call 1-888-570-5400 or email us at getinfo@choicesvideo.net

New Year. New Prices.

2009-01-06T10:57:00.000-08:00

To celebrate the New Year and expand the reach of our films to a wider audience, Choices is lowering the price to many of our current and catalog titles.

These include:
Elie Wiesel Goes Home ($19.95)
The Hours and Times ($19.95)
Endangered Species Series ($19.95)
Grand Illusions Part Two ($19.95)
Daughters of Afghanistan ($19.95)
The Poetry Lounge ($19.95)
Radiation: A Slow Death ($19.95)
Checkpoint ($19.95)
Keepers of Memory ($19.95)
Missing Presumed Dead ($19.95)
Panihari: The Water Women of India ($19.95)
The Concrete Revolution ($19.95)
City of Bees ($19.95)
Letters from Iran ($19.95)
Awakening: Empowering Women Through Microloans ($19.95)
Reckless Indifference ($19.95)
Through My Eyes ($19.95)
In the Tall Grass ($19.95)
Saz: The Palestinian Rapper for Change ($19.95)
Hanging with the Sloth ($19.95)
A School of Their Own ($19.95)
The Miseducation of Pakistan ($19.95)
Dateline Afghanistan ($19.95)
The Perfect Life ($19.95)
Joyce to the World ($19.95)
Our Feathered Friends ($19.95)
Rumi: Turning Ecstatic ($19.95)
The Poetry Lounge 2 ($19.95)
The Poetry Lounge 3 ($19.95)
Vaccinations? Assessing the Risks and Benefits ($19.95)

To learn more about these films, please visit our website www.choicesvideo.net

Holiday Sale - Save 40%!

2008-11-12T14:01:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to announce we are having a Holiday Sale on all of our titles. Save up to 40% off of all our titles.

To redeem, just use coupon code "HOLIDAY" at the checkout page of our website www.choicesvideo.net or when by ordering by phone at 1-888-570-5400.

This offer is good for one time use only and will expire on December 31st,2008.

Happy Holidays!

The Female Face of AIDS: Crisis in Malawi - New From Choices

2008-11-12T13:53:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of our new film: The Female Face of AIDS: Crisis in Malawi.

The Female Face of Aids: Crisis in Malawi shines a light on the stigma and discrimination suffered by women living with HIV/AIDS in Malawi. The film follows the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice at Fordham Law School during the final weeks of a year-long study on how HIV/AIDS impacts Malawian women who comprise 58 % of those infected there. Eight students and four faculty members traveled to Malawi in 2007 interviewing a broad spectrum of people from the country to understand how these conditions persist.

Learn about the issues these women confront such as economic dependency, physical and sexual abuse, commercial sex work and traditional male dominance as the students seek to find practical solutions for government officials, health workers and regular citizens to improve their lives and insure the nation’s future.

The DVD's special features include a photo gallery and lesson plan/guidebook. The DVD sells for $49.95 and will be available on November 18th.

For more information on this film, please go here.

SS United States: Lady in Waiting - New Release

2008-09-24T11:59:00.001-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of our latest DVD, "SS United States - Lady in Waiting".

The film was produced by Big Ship Films, a production company formed by award-winning writers and producers Mark Perry and Robert Radler. For complete information about them, please visit their website www.bigshipfilms.com

Combining never before seen archival footage and compelling interviews with the crew and passengers, SS United States: Lady in Waiting tells the story of what historians consider to be the greatest American ocean liner of all time. Originally designed to be a secret weapon in the cold war disguised as a luxurious passenger liner, the SS United States was completely fire-proof and the largest and fastest passenger vessel ever constructed in her namesake's country.

The brainchild of United States Lines president, John M. Franklin, and the 20th Century's preeminent naval architect, William Francis Gibbs, she was the pride of America during her flawless service career from 1952 to 1969. Take a journey of discovery to learn everything about this fabled vessel from her top secret design and construction to her star-studded glamorous heyday to her gradual decline into obscurity.

Featuring interviews with, Walter Cronkite, LeRoy Neiman, maritime historian William H. Miller, Jr. and other notable former passengers and crew, SS United States: Lady in Waiting serves as a fitting tribute to this great ship as she awaits a triumphant return to her rightful place in American history.

The DVD will retail for $19.95 and will be available on September 30th, 2008. For information, please visit www.choicesvideo.net

National Media Market is Next Month

2008-08-14T12:24:00.001-07:00

Just making everyone aware that the National Media Market is taking place next month in beautiful Lexington, KY on September 22-26th.

Distributors, librarians and media specialists will gather to preview new films, discuss current trends and catch up with old and new friends.

Be sure to visit their website www.nmm.net for all of the latest info.

Beyond Beijing - Exploring China's Cities

2008-08-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Just in time for the Summer Olympics, Choices releases our new DVD - "Beyond Beijing - Exploring China's Cities"

With Beijing the focus of the 2008 Summer Olympics, one must not forget the other sites hosting events during the games and what they have to offer visitors. In Beyond Beijing: Exploring China's Cities, viewers can sample the many delights these dynamic destinations have to offer.

* Shanghai – Explore this fast-paced city quickly becoming a global capital of fashion and culture.
* Qingdao – Known for its sailing and coastal activities, find out how German immigrants gave the city its best known product.
* Qinhuangdao – Discover this small city’s mythical links to the Great Wall of China.
* Tianjin - Follow the conservation efforts underway to preserve the city’s past as a center of European life in China.
* Shenyang – Journey into the first “Forbidden City” and its architectural marvels.
* Hong Kong – Engage in this global city and its growing mix of Western and Asian lifestyles.

With stunning photography and interviews with the many businesspeople, scholars, and artists who call the country home, Beyond Beijing: Exploring China’s Cities will serve as a valuable guide for all travelers.

The DVD will be priced at $24.95. To learn more about the film and watch a clip, click here.

Dr. Jay Gordon on Larry King Live - Tonight

2008-07-21T13:28:00.000-07:00

We've just learned that Dr. Jay Gordon, host of the DVD "Vaccinations: Assessing the Risks and Benefits" is scheduled to be a guest on Larry King Live tonight. The show will discuss Michael Savage's comments disputing autism as a medical condition.

The show is schedule to air tonight at 9p.m. on CNN. Check your local listings.

Learn more about the DVD here.

Amanda Peet Controversy on Cookie Magazine - Vaccinations DVD

2008-07-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Cookie Magazine recently published an interview with actress and new mom Amanda Peet. Peet, who is an advocate for vaccinating children, was quoted as saying “Frankly, I feel that parents who don’t vaccinate their children are parasites.” Read the interview here.

Since the interview came out, a firestorm of controversy eupted prompting Peet to issue a statement clarifying her comments. Read her statement here.

Aside from all this, Dr. Jay was also interviewed for the magazine giving his take on the pros and cons on childhood vaccinations. Read Dr. Jay’s Interview here.

Be sure to check out the Vaccinations DVD with great information on both sides of this subject. Click here to learn more.

New Release - The Other Mexico

2008-06-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of our latest film, The Other Mexico which explores the growing political unrest in that country.

The Other Mexico focuses on that nation's poor and indigenous citizens who have no voice in the political system. Many of them have gravitated to the growing Zapatista movement led by its leader "Subcomandante Marcos". Some feel Marcos is a true folk hero while others view him as an opportunist seeking personal fame. Leading journalists and scholars debate the pros and cons of the movement as it tries to organize the country's disaffected before the 2006 Presidential election.

With gripping footage of police violence and in-depth interviews, The Other Mexico explores the growing political and socioeconomic crisis which will have far reaching effects for both Latin America and beyond.

The DVD will be released on July 1st, 2008 and will be priced at $99.95 (w/PPR rights). To learn more about this film and watch a clip, click here.

Haagen Dazs Campaign to Save the Bees

2008-06-11T14:45:00.000-07:00

Haagen-Dazs recently started a new public awareness campaign about the recent decline in honeybees called "Help the Honey Bees." In addition to donating money to several university programs that study bees, the campaign has also launched an educational site http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/ where you can learn more about their efforts.

Also, National Pollination Week is coming up June 22nd - 28th raise awareness about the importance of pollination for both crops and plants. You can learn more about the many activities planned by visiting www.pollinator.org

And don't forget our own DVD "City of Bees" which explores the life of a honeybees from a child's point of view. A clip of the film can be seen here.

Choices to Attend Silverdocs 2008

2008-06-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

Choices Inc. will be attending Silverdocs in Silver Spring MD this June. The documentary festival and conference is one of the largest in the world focusing on non-fiction work.

Erik Gudris will be the attending representative. If you would like to meet with him regarding your film or company, please contact him at egudris at dslextreme.com

To learn more about the festival, please visit www.silverdocs.com

Celebrate Bloomsday with Sale on "Joyce to the World"

2008-05-22T14:06:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Bloomsday (June 16th) and all things Joycean, Choices is having a sale on its popular DVD "Joyce to the World".

What makes James Joyce's Ulysses so compelling that it continues to attract devoted readers one hundred years after its publication? Joyce to the World explores the global phenomenon known as 'Bloomsday' celebrated every year on June 16th, the day the novel takes place.

Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of this amazing tradition when Joyceans around the world open a book, raise a pint, and dress in costume in homage to their fictional heroes. Die-hard fans and those just beginning their exploration of this acclaimed artist will find Joyce to the World a treasured resource for years to come.

The DVD will be $24.95 with coupon code "Bloomsday" when ordering at our website www.choicesvideo.net or by phone.

Whole Child, Whole Planet Expo This Weekend

2008-05-16T10:02:00.001-07:00

Dr. Jay Gordon will participate on a vaccinations panel at the Whole Child, Whole Planet Expo on Sunday, May 18, at 11:50 AM at the Waldorf School in Northridge, California. He will be available to sign copies of his informative DVD, “Vaccinations?: Assessing the Risks and Benefits,” from 1-2:00 PM. For information about the expo, go to www.wcwpexpo.com.

New Release - Prayer of Peace

2008-04-30T09:49:00.001-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce our new release, Prayer of Peace: Relief and Resistance in Burma's War Zones.

In Prayer of Peace: Relief and Resistance in Burma's War Zones, filmmaker Matt Blauer sheds new light on the Karen people and their struggle for survival in Burma. Although many in the outside world condemn the country's military government, few are aware that over one million Karen villagers fight to stay alive inside the country's borders.

Blauer illegally crosses the border several times to help local relief workers bring medicine and material aid to those displaced by the Burmese Army. In his journeys, he meets a nurse devoted to assisting escapees following the death of her parents and a pastor/cameraman who documents human rights abuses. With candid interviews and stunning footage of recent events, the film brings a fresh awareness to an often ignored but important issue in this troubled nation.

Official Selection - Amnesty International Film Festival

Prayer of Peace will retail for $99.95 and will be released on May 5th. To learn more and to view a clip please visit www.choicesvideo.net

Dr. Jay Gordon on Fox LA Tonight - 10:00p.m.

2008-04-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Dr. Jay Gordon and Jenny McCarthy will be featured on Fox 11 News in Los Angeles, discussing vaccinations, autism, and keeping America’s children healthy tonight during the 10 o’clock news. Thereafter, Dr. Jay will participate in a live online chat to discuss these controversial topics and other pressing health questions after the program at 11:00 PM. To participate in the live chat, go to www.fox11.com.

Spring Fling Sale - Save 50%

2008-04-02T12:30:00.000-07:00

Now that spring is here, we are having a sale! Save up to 50% off the following titles:

Letters From Iran
Awakening: Empowering Women Through Microloans
The Concrete Revolution
Panihari: The Water Women of India
Through My Eyes

To redeem, simply enter the code "Spring" at checkout on our website on reference it when ordering by phone.

The sale is good until 6/30/08.

Enjoy!

Dr. Jay Gordon on Larry King Live - Autism

2008-04-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

Dr. Jay Gordon will appear as a guest on CNN’s Larry King Live on Wednesday, April 2nd. The show will discuss autism as part of the network’s day-long coverage of Autism Awareness Day.

Check your local listings for airtimes or click here.

And learn more about the Vaccinations? DVD here at www.vaccinationsdvd.com

The Perfect Life - Screenings in New York City

2008-03-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

The Perfect Life will have several screenings in New York City in the month of April. This will be part of the film's ongoing educational outreach. Details of a public screening is listed below.

A public screening of director Sam Lee’s acclaimed documentary “The Perfect Life” will take place at the New York Public Library Donnell Media Center on April 17th, 2:30pm.

Hailed by Variety as “…an involving study of academic apathy, the challenges of inner city life and the pain of hopes and dreams unrealized”, The Perfect Life takes a hard look at the challenges of growing up in America's inner cities. In 1992, filmmaker Sam Lee moved from England to teach second grade at a unique school in Harlem aimed at helping disadvantaged youth. Ten years later, she decided to revisit her former students, now seniors in high school, and find out what had become of their dreams, their families, and their lives.

As part of the film’s outreach mission to educate and empower those in the New York City educational community on how to best assist at-risk youth, several additional screenings and workshops will take place throughout April, both for the NYC Dept. of Youth and Community Development and Bank Street College.

"The goal of The Perfect Life Outreach Initiative is to host screenings of the film that will reach inner city neighborhoods and those concerned with challenges of urban youth and education in America. We seek collaboration with organizations, schools, agencies, and individuals who will use the film as a tool for promoting their own programs as well as a catalyst for dialogue and action,” said Tonya Gayle, Associate Producer for The Perfect Life.

The screening at the New York Public Library is part of the 5th Annual Yip Harburg Foundation political documentary collection screening series. A Q&A session with the film’s production crew will take place at 4 p.m. The screening is free and open to the public.

For more info, contact library at 212-621-0609 or 1-888-570-5400. More information about the film can be found at its website www.theperfectlife.net

The Perfect Life is distributed by Choices, Inc., a documentary and educational media distribution company based in Los Angeles. The DVD of the film can be purchased at www.choicesvideo.net

Vaccinations? - New Release

2008-02-18T11:27:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of our new DVD - Vaccinations?

In Vaccinations?, author and nationally recognized pediatrician Dr. Jay Gordon gives a lively and thought-provoking seminar on the pros and cons of vaccinating newborn babies and children. Dr. Gordon provides an alternative viewpoint on the use of vaccinations and discusses the risks and benefits of each of the commonly known vaccines used today.

The seminar touches on such issues as the "myths" of vaccinations, how the pharmaceutical industry promotes the overuse of its products, and the current debate on autism.

In addition, this engaging program provides viewers with easy to understand explanations on how the body's immune system works, why breastfeeding is important, natural ways to prevent childhood illness and more.

With up-to-date information and statistics, Vaccinations? will be an important resource for parents, caregivers and anyone interested in the health and well being of children.

The DVD will sell for $24.95 and will be available February 19th.

For more information about the title, click here.

Rumi Turning Ecstatic - Screenings in California

2008-02-18T11:25:00.001-08:00

Tina Petrova, director of "Rumi: Turning Ecstatic" is now in the middle of her west coast tour. Through the month of March, she will be appearing at various events and screenings.

To learn more about upcoming screenings in your area, please click here.

New Release - The Poetry Lounge 2 and 3 on DVD

2008-01-08T15:21:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of two new additions to the acclaimed "The Poetry Lounge" series.

Based on the weekly performances of 'Da Poetry Lounge, the largest weekly open mic event in the country, the new DVDs focus on specific aspects of spoken word writing and performance.

In The Poetry Lounge 2 - The Power of Poetics, spoken word artists discuss various poetic techniques they use while creating their works. The Poetry Lounge 3 - The Power of Performance covers how the artists prepare and perform their work in front of an audience.

Each DVD includes performances and interviews from such noted spoken word artists as Sekou the Misfit, Brutha Gimel, Gina Loring, In-Q, Paul Mabon, Poetri and more. The artists discuss topics ranging from personal faith to dealing with the loss of a loved one and inner-city issues.

Filmed before a live audience and produced in collaboration with educational advisors including Alexs Pate, Award Winning Novelist Assistant Professor of Afro-American and African Studies at the University of Minnesota and Dr. Paula Wolfe, Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Literacy Studies, the new titles seek to engage and inform audiences of all ages on the power of the spoken word.

When asked about his ongoing involvement with The Poetry Lounge series, Pierson Blaetz, Artistic Director of the Greenway Court Theatre said, "Looking for inspiration...I've found all I need from these leaders of the spoken word movement. You can't turn away from this potent mix of talent and wisdom."

Special Features will include a Photo Gallery, Poetry Booklet, 'Da Poetry Lounge History and a Lesson Plan written by Dr. Paula Wolfe.

SRP is $49.95 each. To learn more about Poetry Lounge 2 visit here and for Poetry Lounge 3 visit here.

The Poetry Lounge 2 and 3 are distribuuted by Choices - www.choicesvideo.net

Filmmaker Residency Program - Deadline Approaching

2007-12-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

Working Films is once again sponsoring their Content + Intent Documentary Institute, which allows filmmakers a chance to develop outreach plans for their projects.

(Wilmington, NC. December 18, 2007) – It’s that time of year again! Working Films is accepting applications for its five-day residency for documentary filmmakers at MASS MoCA. The residency, which is called the Content + Intent Documentary Institute, willtake place March 12-16, 2008 in North Adams, MA. The application deadline is January 25, 2008.

Ensuring that a film’s release has an impact is as important as its production. The Content + Intent Documentary Institute will guide approximately ten filmmakers and advanced film students through the development of outreach plans for their film projects. Linking the documentaries-in-progress to organizations committed to progressive social change will be a key component of the Institute. Participants will create an audience engagement plan for their films, identify community partners, and develop support materials, including effective timelines, budgets, and implementation strategies. Working Films will offer insight on the development of web sites, fundraising tactics and press strategies.

Working Films will announce accepted applicants on February 7, 2008.

Working Films

602 South Fifth Avenue

Wilmington, NC 28401

(910) 342-9000

Fax: (910) 342-9003

www.workingfilms.org

Working Films advances social, economic, environmental and racial justice by linking independent non-fiction media to activism.

To learn more visit their website here.

Choices at IDFA

2007-11-21T11:53:00.000-08:00

Choices will be attending the IDFA festival and market in Amsterdam from November 22nd to November 27th.

For more information about the IDFA, please visit www.idfa.nl.

Choices at National Media Market

2007-10-01T10:03:00.000-07:00

Choices will be attending the National Media Market next week in Mesa, AZ. This annual event brings together film and video distributor with library and educational professional who focus on media. Workshops and screenings of new titles take place for four days.

Choices will be represented by Erik Gudris in Room #602. If you plan to attend, please stop by and say hello.

To learn more visit the event's website here.

New Release - Rumi: Turning Ecstatic

2007-09-04T13:09:00.000-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce our latest release, "Rumi: Turning Ecstatic" which follows one woman's personal journey with the Sufi master and poet - Rumi.

Mevlana Jelalludin Rumi was a 13th C. mystic and poet whose writing and teachings still inspire millions around the world today. Filmmaker Tina Petrova shares her extraordinary personal journey with the Sufi master in Rumi: Turning Ecstatic.

Journey deep into the heart of Sufi mysticism, with thought provoking discussion, featuring interviews with Coleman Barks, the world's most popular translator of Rumi, and other noted experts. Also included are numerous readings of Rumi's poetry, historical background and a haunting soundtrack of ecstatic music making Rumi: Turning Ecstatic a treasured resource of knowledge and inspiration.

The DVD will sell for $24.95 and will be released on September 18th. For more information, please visit here.

The Perfect Life - New York Premiere

2007-09-04T12:57:00.000-07:00

We pleased to announce that the New York City premiere of "The Perfect Life" will take place on Sunday, September 9th at 4:30pm at the Pioneer Theater at E. 3rd St. btwn Ave A & B.

The screening is FREE. Admission is on a first come, first served basis. A Q&A with the director, Sam Lee, will take place after the show.

Screening of "A School of Their Own"

2007-08-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

"A School of Their Own" will screen at the Charlotte Film Festival on Sunday, September 9th at 3:40 pm. For more information and to get tickets, visit the festival's website here.

Our Feathered Friends

2007-08-08T14:02:00.001-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of our newest title, Our Feathered Friends.

Spend a year on a farm with the chickens!

From the producers of the acclaimed City of Bees comes a new film exploring the fascinating and complex world of chickens from a child's point of view. The story is set in the countryside, where two brothers spend time with their grandma on her farm. There they learn that chickens live both in the coop and in the trees. Young roosters battle to oust the old ruler and hens confront pheasants and hawks trying to enter the nest.

The youngsters watch new chicks emerge in the spring and follow their progress while learning all about the bird’s origins, what they eat, and how they develop. With up-close photography, vibrant music and even an interactive "chicken dance", viewers of all ages will be enchanted and informed by Our Feathered Friends.

The DVD will be available on August 21st. Price is $24.95.

Interview on Columbia Journalism Review with Bill Gentile

2007-07-13T15:02:00.000-07:00

Columbia Journalism Review just posted their interview with Bill Gentile, director of "Dateline Afghanistan: Reporting the Forgotten War" on their website. To read the interview, click here.

New Release - Joyce to the World

2007-06-04T13:56:00.001-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of its newest title, "Joyce to the World".

What makes James Joyce’s Ulysses so compelling that it continues to attract devoted readers one hundred years after its publication? Joyce to the World explores the global phenomenon known as “Bloomsday” celebrated every year on June 16th, the day the novel takes place. Celebrate the 100-year anniversary of this amazing tradition when Joyceans around the world open a book, raise a pint, and dress in costume in homage to their fictional heroes. With extensive biographical footage and commentary, viewers follow Joyce from his early life in Dublin to his later years of self-exile with his wife, Nora Barnacle. Interviews with award-winning actors, writers and scholars including Brian Dennehy, Frank McCourt, Malachy McCourt, Fionnula Flanagan and Senator David Norris, bring audiences inside the artist’s mind and explain why so many are drawn to his work. Die-hard fans and those just beginning their exploration of this acclaimed artist will find Joyce to the World a treasured resource for years to come.

The DVD is priced at $49.95 and includes a Director's Statement, Photo Gallery and Guidebook. You can learn more about the title here.

ALA Convention in Washington D.C.

2007-05-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

Choices will attend the upcoming American Library Association (ALA) convention in Washington D.C. this June. We will be at booth #2160. If you plan to attend, please stop by and say hello.

New Release - Dateline Afghanistan: Reporting The Forgotten War

2007-05-03T13:32:00.000-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of our new title, "Dateline Afghanistan: Reporting the Forgotten War"

As the United States and its allies engage in a continuing battle to free Afghanistan of its ties to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, many journalists from around the world cover the ongoing conflict. Go inside the ranks of these brave men and women as they risk their lives to present the truth of what's really going on today. Veteran reporter and filmmaker Bill Gentile profiles noted journalists from The New York Times, the BBC, Time, and The Washington Post as well as others to reveal the daily personal and professional pressures they face. Learn how female reporters get the story despite the harsh restrictions placed on women in the country and how the U.S. military presence both aid and hinder journalists in their efforts to give fair and balanced coverage. Through stunning footage and first-hand accounts, audiences will get an up close look inside the media's role to report the issues and conflicts behind America's forgotten war.

Choices will release the DVD on May 8th. To learn more, click here.

South Asian Studies Alliance Conference - This Weekend

2007-04-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to say that several of our South Asian themed titles will be screened at the upcoming SASA conference at Loyola Maramount University in Los Angeles this weekend. Along with the screenings, director Debra Kaufman (A School of Their Own) will take part in a panel on making films in South Asia on Sunday morning.

The screenings will take place in Ahmanson Auditorium on Saturday, April 28th. The complete schedule can be found here.

For more information visit the conference website here.

Tribeca Film Festival

2007-04-23T16:36:00.000-07:00

Choices will be attending this week's Tribeca Film Festival. Aside from checking out new films and catching up with all our friends in NYC, we also plan to take part in Tribeca All Access where we will meet with filmmakers who have documentaries in progress.

Please feel free to say hi if you see Erik Gudris at any of the events. You can't miss him as he's quite tall. :)

Rwanda Film Festival

2007-04-12T14:18:00.000-07:00

We are happy to post this story which appeared on the BBC's website about director Eric Kabera and his work running the annual Rwanda Film Festival.

You can read the article here.

Digitally Remastered Version of The Hours and Times Now Available

2007-04-03T16:16:00.000-07:00

Digitally Remastered “The Hours and Times” Imagines John Lennon – Brian Epstein Relationship

Los Angeles, CA (April 2007) – Choices , Inc. proudly announces the long-anticipated re-release of The Hours and Times on DVD in a new high-definition digital transfer approved by director Christopher Münch. Hailed by the Village Voice as “the best American indie in many years,” The Hours and Times imagines what might have happened between John Lennon and Beatles manager Brian Epstein during a 1963 vacation in Barcelona, just months before Beatlemania swept the world. Candid, intelligent, and loaded with backstage conjecture, the movie captures the fleeting moments of their intense friendship before celebrity washed over intimacy.

Considered to be a landmark film in contemporary gay cinema, The Hours and Times launched director Christopher Münch into the forefront of independent directors leading him to direct such films as “The Sleepy Time Gal” and recently “Harry and Max.” The new and improved version of “The Hours and Times” t DVD will include a 22-minute featurette on the making of the film, and a commentary by writer/director Christopher Münch. Erik Gudris, Director of Marketing at Choices, commented, “We are very pleased with the new digital transfer and hope it brings new audiences to this classic film.” Choices , Inc.will release the The Hours and Times on DVD on April 3rd, 2007. SRP is $24.95, and orders may be placed at www.choicesvideo.net.

Read Anthony Kaufman's post on Indiewire about the release here.

The Perfect Life

2007-03-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce the release of its newest release The Perfect Life.

“...involving study of academic apathy, the challenges of inner city life and the pain of hopes and dreams unrealized….” - Variety

The Perfect Life takes a hard look at the challenges of growing up in America’s inner cities. In 1992, filmmaker Sam Lee moved from England to teach second grade at a unique school in Harlem aimed at helping disadvantaged youth. Ten years later, she decided to revisit her former students, now seniors in high school, and find out what had become of their dreams, their families, and their lives. With candor and eloquence, each student discusses their personal challenges from living with no parental support, emotional issues, grinding poverty and lack of opportunities. The transition to adulthood is difficult and each must draw upon their own inner resources to make it in the world, some more successfully than others.

Brutally honest and without adult commentary, the film exposes the stark lines that divide inner city life from the rest of America. Audiences are offered an exclusive lens through which to understand what it takes to succeed – or as one student says, "have a house, kids...the great American dream, the perfect life."

Special Features will include Director's Statement, Photo Gallery and Lesson Plan/Guidebook. The DVD will sell for $99.95 and will be released March 27th.

To View the Trailer click here.

In the Tall Grass - ALA Notable Video of the Year

2007-02-14T12:00:00.000-08:00

We're pleased to say that "In the Tall Grass" was selected by the American Library Association as one of its Notable Videos for Adults for 2007!

The list’s purpose is to call attention to recent video releases that make a significant contribution to the world of video recordings.

The selections were made during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, Washington, January 20-25.

We want to congratulate the film's director, J. Coll Metcalfe, on winning this award for his film.

To learn more, click here to visit the ALA website.

In the Tall Grass - Screening at UCLA in February

2007-01-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to announce that "In the Tall Grass" will have a public screening at UCLA on Wednesday, February 7th at 7pm.

In the Tall Grass picks up where Hotel Rwanda left off, focusing on the Hutu and Tutsi as they struggle through Rwanda’s unique reconciliation process Gacaca, a network of grassroots community courts. With unprecedented access, this powerful documentary follows a survivor through this historic process as she confronts the man she says murdered her husband and children, giving audiences a stark and terrifying look at how the genocide of 1994 continues to shape the lives of Rwandans today. She receives some justice, and her village finally faces their pain, but she is only one story in hundreds of thousands.

The film's director, J Coll Metcalfe, will take part in a Q&A session after the screening. Admission is free and open to the public.

The screening will take place at UCLA, 190 Royce Hall. Parking is available in Lot 5.

This screening is sponsored by the UCLA African Studies Center and Choices.

To learn more about the film, click here.
Read an article on the film here.

Daughters of Afghanistan - Screenings

2007-01-23T14:04:00.000-08:00

Our popular title "Daughters of Afghanistan" will have several screenings next month.

Daughters of Afghanistan will be playing at the Latches Theater on March 17th at 4pm and again at the Hooker Dunham Theater on March 18th at 1pm. This is part of the Women's Film Festival being held in Brattleboro, VT.

For more information visit the festival website here.

Daughters of Afghanistan will also being playing as part of the University of Delaware's International Film Festival in March. More details on the screening will appear soon.

The Miseducation of Pakistan

2007-01-23T14:01:00.000-08:00

Choices proudly announces our new release "The Miseducation of Pakistan" which will be released on DVD on January 30th.

A nation’s future hangs in the balance when it cannot educate its youth. Using a journalistic approach, The Miseducation of Pakistan explores the country’s appalling public education system. Schools with no teachers, schools overflowing with garbage, schools under the open sky, without drinking water or electricity; this is what most students of public schools in Pakistan can look forward to. Little wonder that a vast majority of primary school graduates can’t even be considered literate by international standards. All the while, a corrupt hierarchy of officials and school staff line their pockets with funds meant for educating the nation’s children and powerful feudals deny the children of their peasants the right to even a basic education, while sending their own offspring to the best schools in the country and abroad. And no one is held accountable. Using In-depth interviews and shocking footage, the filmmakers reveal a country where quality education is reserved only for a chosen few, while millions of children are denied the chance of a future.

The DVD will be priced at $59.95 and will include a guidebook and photo gallery.

Click here to watch a clip from the film.

Take Our Survey - Win a Free DVD!

2007-01-08T15:22:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to All!

This hopes to be an exciting year for all of us at Choices. To celebrate we are offering a FREE Choices DVD to everyone who takes part in a brief survey.

The survey starts now and runs until February 2nd. One winner will be chosen from all who complete the survey.

No Purchase Necessary. Void Where Prohibited. Prize value not to exceed $100.

Click here to take the survey.

Saz to perform in New York City

2006-12-07T12:56:00.000-08:00

Saz who is featured in our current release "Saz: The Palestinian Rapper for Change" will perform on December 24th in New York City as part of the Sephardic Music Festival. The concert which will feature American Jewish and Muslim artists to promote understand is sponsored by Hip Hop Sulha.

Event details and how to purchase tickets are below.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2006 @ 8PM

HIP HOP SULHA

Featuring Hadag Nachash, Saz, Yuri Lane, Y-Love,
Jake Break and dj handler
The Hip-Hop Sulha reinvents the concept of the traditional Arab sulha [reconciliation] by bringing leading Israeli and Palestinian hip-hop musicians -- as well as notable American Jewish and Muslim artists -- together to celebrate peace and religious tolerance via the performing arts.

BB King Blues Club & Grill
237 West 42nd Street, New York, NY

Doors @ 6PM show begins promptly at 8PM / all ages
$40.00 General admission standing room only
$55.00 VIP reserved general admission seating — First come, first served
Order tickets online here

New Release - A School of Their Own

2006-11-17T10:08:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to announce our latest release, "A School of Their Own".

In remote Nepal, the Riverside School is a unique educational environment that educates low-caste and tribal children, half of whom are girls. There, children flourish in an environment free of the caste system, gender prejudice, and violence found in government schools - and in their society at large. Follow the school’s struggle to stay afloat during the bloody ten-year civil war in which children are caught in the middle. The police accuse them of being Maoist rebels while the rebels themselves forcibly draft children over twelve years old into their army. Though Nepal is currently enjoying a tenuous peace, the future is uncertain. Through in-depth interviews and stunning footage, A School of Their Own shows how children, even in the most extreme circumstances, can lead a nation to a better future.

Choices will release the DVD on November 28th, 2006. Price will be $99.95. DVD will include photo gallery, director's statement and guidebook. Learn more about the film here.

New Release - Saz

2006-11-02T16:50:00.000-08:00

Choices is pleased to announce our latest release - Saz: The Palestinian Rapper for Change.

This provocative documentary goes behind the ghetto walls of Ramlah to look at a year in the life of budding Palestinian hip-hop star Samekh Zakhut a.k.a. Saz. Growing up in a Jewish neighborhood as a third generation of a moderate family, Saz has had to learn to balance their traditional viewpoints with his strong feelings of insult and rage for the injustices his people have suffered. He does this through music, using it as a starting point for discussion with Israeli and Arab youth who have grown further apart since the recent Intifada.

For Saz, music is a place where people who disagree can come together. It takes him to the clubs and neighborhoods of Tel Aviv, Haifa, and London. The film also looks at his relationship with his aging grandfather, a refugee of the 1948 war. Their conversations reveal their differing ideologies. "I don’t see my Palestine being built by blood" says Saz. "It should be built by negotiations, not bombings in Tel Aviv. My bullets are my rhymes. My M-16 is my microphone".

The DVD will be released on November 14th. The price will be $49.95 and will include two tracks from Saz's upcoming new album "Min Yum".

Learn more about the DVD here.

Screenings of "In the Tall Grass"

2006-10-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

"In the Tall Grass" is an official selection of the 2006 United Nations Association Film Festival which screens documentaries from around the world. The festival will be travelling to various cities starting this fall.

To find out when "In the Tall Grass" will be playing go to this link here. You can also print out a schedule here.

The festival will start October 25th at Stanford University and then travel to San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Monterey, Wisconsin, Boston and Berkeley.

New Release - In The Tall Grass

2006-10-16T14:27:00.000-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce our latest release - In The Tall Grass - which will be available on October 24th, 2006 for $99.95

In the Tall Grass picks up where Hotel Rwanda left off, focusing on the Hutu and Tutsi as they struggle through Rwanda’s unique reconciliation process Gacaca, a network of grassroots community courts. With unprecedented access, this powerful documentary follows a survivor through this historic process as she confronts the man she says murdered her husband and children, giving audiences a stark and terrifying look at how the genocide of 1994 continues to shape the lives of Rwandans today. She receives some justice, and her village finally faces their pain, but she is only one story in hundreds of thousands. In the Tall Grass delivers a raw and uncompromising look at the tremendous challenges faced by post-genocide countries like Rwanda, as they transition from violence to peace.

Hanging With The Sloth

2006-10-02T10:12:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce the release of our latest title - Hanging With The Sloth - which will be available October 5th. Also, a short profile on sloths using footage from the DVD will be aired on ABC's "20/20" this Friday, October 6th. Check your local listings for airtimes.

The sloth is a truly remarkable, highly specialized mammal and is often misunderstood due to its unique appearance, slow movement and causal behavior. In this new film, director Jeri Ledbetter dispels the myths and introduces you to this amazing creature. Discover how conservation efforts are protecting the sloth and its habitat which is under constant threat from development. Scientists and animal experts discuss how efforts at rescue centers set up especially for sloths are contributing to better understanding.

Viewers will learn first-hand about the history behind one of nature’s true wonders from its earliest discovery to present day. Filmed in Costa Rica and Panama, Hanging With The Sloth is a must for nature lovers of all ages. Special Features include Photo Gallery and Guidebook.

Running Time: 30 minutes. Price includes limited public performance rights.

National Media Market - Part 2

2006-09-30T17:47:00.000-07:00

The National Media Market was a great success for Choices. We met a lot of new and current customers and learned a great deal about what today's educational market is looking for in video content. Attendees were especially excited about our new titles including "City of Bees", "Concrete Revolution". "Letters From Iran", "Awakening" and "Reckless Indifference".

Overall it was a great trip and we hope to back again next year! To learn more about the National Media Market visit their website - www.nmm.net

National Media Market

2006-09-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

Choices is at the National Media Market this year which is being held in Mesa, Arizona. Many educators, librarians and other savvy folk attend this conference to find out the newest content out there. Choices is presenting its new titles there along with showcasing our customer favorites. When we have time, we'll let you know more of what's happening here in sunny (and very hot) Arizona.

Extended Interview with Brandon Hein

2006-09-12T15:38:00.000-07:00

Here is the link to an extended interview with Brandon Hein that director William Gazecki conducted. The interview discuss a wide range of topics and updates to the film "Reckless Indifference".

Watch the Interview.

New Release - Through My Eyes

2006-09-07T11:02:00.000-07:00

We are pleased to announce "Through My Eyes" will release on Septemember 20th. This film on Rwandan youth was produced by Eric Kabera who also directed another Choices title "Keepers of Memory".

Through My Eyes follows the youth of Rwanda today, who use the arts to help move the country forward ten years after the genocide. By expressing themselves through dance, poetry, music and painting, the teens, many of whom lost parents and family members during the conflict, are able to deal with the emotional and physical trauma they endured.

The film documents how through organizations and group activities, these creative talents not only honor those that perished but also confront new problems affecting the country such as poverty and AIDS. By focusing on what they can accomplish by working together in creative endeavors, the youth of Rwanda prove that art can not only benefit those around them but ensure future generations have a brighter future. From acclaimed director Eric Kabera (Keepers of Memory).

Running Time: 44 minutes

Subject areas: Africa, Rwanda, Art, AIDS, Poverty, Genocide, History

Awakening Trailer

2006-09-07T10:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the trailer for our new release "Awakening".

View Trailer

New Release - Awakening

2006-08-22T09:41:00.000-07:00

We're pleased to announce that our newest release - Awakening: Empowering Women Through Microloans will be released on September 5th. Here is the synopsis.

Awakening documents the social and economic empowerment of women in Afghanistan and India whose roles have traditionally been restricted by their cultures. Awakened to new possibilities through education and access to micro-loans these women are redefining their roles in society. In Bihar, India’s poorest state, Sister Mary Lobo organizes village women into groups where they learn to save small sums and invest their capital as a group. In Afghanistan, the nation’s first woman-led micro-finance institution believes the nation’s long-term success is dependent on women’s economic freedom.

We hope to have the trailer posted soon.

Reckless Indifference - Press Release

2006-08-15T15:58:00.000-07:00

As promised, here is the press release for Reckless Indifference.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Marisa Spears

Phone: (310) 203-0606 ext. 18

Email: mspears@slextreme.com

Choices Releases Film on Controversial Felony Murder Case

Los Angeles, CA (August 15, 2006) - Choices, Inc. proudly announces the release of Reckless Indifference, an inside look behind one of the most controversial murder cases in recent memory. A searing indictment of the American legal system, the DVD features a new, updated Epilogue, along with an exclusive full-length interview with Brandon Hein available on the Choices website, www.choicesvideo.net. Hein was convicted under California's felony-murder law and has spent the last ten years in a California state prison, a sentence which law professor Alan Dershowitz terms "an outrage...I believe it's cruel and unusual punishment."

Reckless Indifference tells of a classic suburban nightmare of teens, drugs, parents, and prison. After a backyard brawl resulted in the death of a Los Angeles Police Department officer's son, the ensuing trial sent four teenage boys to prison for life without the possibility of parole, even though only one committed the crime. Described as a "heart-wrenching story [that] you will find yourself thinking about long after you've seen it," the film was recently named an Editor's Choice by Video Librarian magazine.

The documentary also reveals the naïveté, guilt, and denial of middle-class families caught in the criminal justice system. The prosecution exploited a little-known law to maximum effect. The "felony-murder rule" states that anyone present during the commission of a felony where death occurs is automatically liable for First Degree Murder. Four teenage boys - only one of whom wielded a weapon - now sit in Level IV Maximum Security State Prisons for the rest of their lives. This tragic story begets a "powerful portrait of suburban America, and the illusions suburbanites have about crime,

Choices Releases Award-Winning Film on

Page 2

punishment, the safety of their neighborhoods, and most of all, about their own children," says critic David Ralston of Movie Gurus. With revealing interviews with legal expert Alan Dershowitz and family members from both sides, Reckless Indifference presents a case study of a true American tragedy.

Larry Rattner, co-president of Choices, commented, "We look forward to bringing this important film to a larger audience." Choices, Inc. will release Reckless Indifference on DVD August 15, 2006. The DVD includes a lesson plan and guidebook for educators. SRP is $49.95, and orders may be placed at our website, www.choicesvideo.net.

About Choices:

Choices, Inc. is a specialty distributor of quality documentaries, educational programming, and feature films. The company believes that documentaries are highly effective teaching tools, and provides both lesson plans and guidebooks as a resource for educators. More information is available online at www.choicesvideo.net.

Newest Acquisition - Awakening

2006-07-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

Choices is pleased to announce our latest acquisition Awakening. This documentary explores how the use of microloans is changing the lives of women in India and Afghanistan by offering them the means to financial prosperity.

To learn more about this unique film, visit the filmmakers' website here to watch the trailer and get more info.

We plan to release the film in the early Fall of 2006.

Reckless Indifference

2006-07-27T11:18:00.000-07:00

Reckless Indifference, our latest DVD, is scheduled to release on August 15th, 2006. I've attached the cover of the box art along with the press release for the film. We hope to have an interview with the director, William Gazecki, very soon.

Welcome to Filmmakers Corner!

2006-07-12T11:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Filmmakers Corner! This new blog will serve as your one stop spot for news, reviews and everything else exciting happening in independent film. Filmmakers Corner is sponsored by Choices, a distributor of documentaries, feature films, and educational videos based in Los Angeles.

For more information about Choices, visit our site http://www.choicesvideo.net

Very soon, we will post our first interview with a director of one of our upcoming releases.

Please feel free to post your comments!

Best,
John Gruber