DIRECTV and Brainstorm Media announced today that Something to Talk About a series of socially and culturally relevant documentaries, will return to AUDIENCE Network this fall with the premiere of Haiti Untold on Thursday, October 3 at 8 p.m. The new season of Something to Talk About will launch with five acclaimed documentaries this fall. The films will make their exclusive, television debut on AUDIENCE Network and will be presented in theaters nationwide. The upcoming season covers an array of issues and topics such as Hurricane Sandy, gambling addiction and President Kennedy's historical term. Films include:
· HAITI UNTOLD A FILM BY DAN SHANNON OCTOBER 3
· DRAWING DEAD A FILM BY MIKE WEEKS OCTOBER 10
· SHORED UP A FILM BY BEN KALINA OCTOBER 24
· JFK: A PRESIDENT BETRAYED A FILM BY CORY TAYLOR NOVEMBER 7
· DESERT RUNNERS A FILM BY JENNIFER STEINMAN NOVEMBER 21
"We are excited about this new lineup of great thought provoking documentaries," said Meyer Shwarzstein, President of Brainstorm Media. "Our first season proved to be very popular with our viewers, and we look forward to sparking even more conversations around the country as we broaden our
Something to Talk About audience."
"Our viewers respond to intelligent, provocative programming and the films presented in the first season of "Something to Talk About" really resonated with them," said Chris Long, SVP Original Content and Distribution of DirecTV. "We are thrilled provide our customers with another collection of these diverse films which touch upon some of today's most relevant issues,
HAITI UNTOLD, directed by Dan Shannon, chronicles the personal journey of a few famous and not-so-famous individuals who have put their heads and hearts to the task of effecting radical change in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake of 2010. The film features Sean Penn, Donna Karan, George Laraque, and a host of other notable individuals whose ongoing efforts in the country are effecting radical change in the country. Haiti Untold will kick off the series on Thursday, October 3 at 8PM ET/PT.
DRAWING DEAD: The Highs and Lows of Online Poker, directed by Mike Weeks, is an insightful look into the highs and lows of online poker from two very different perspectives: a professional poker player worth millions, and a gambling addict. This film will air on Thursday, October 10 at 8PM ET/PT.
When Superstorm Sandy devastated the East Coast, it was a wake-up call to a new reality. SHORED UP, directed by Ben Kalina, takes us to the heart of the climate change controversy, following communities in New Jersey and North Carolina where politics, economics and science collide. Beginning 3 years before Hurricane Sandy hit and following the debates over beach replenishment and other attempts to hold back the sea, the film becomes convincing call for action along our coasts. As the oceans rise and storms flood our towns and cities, we have a choice to make: do we continue to develop as we have in the past, ignoring clear risks and danger? Or, do we allow science to guide our policies for the future...before it's too late.
The film will premiere on October 24 at 8PM ET/PT.
JFK: A PRESIDENT BETRAYED, directed by Cory Taylor, uncovers new evidence that reveals how John F. Kennedy was determined to get out of Vietnam; open negotiations with Cuba's Fidel Castro; and forge peaceful relations with the Soviet Union. The film brings to light how President Kennedy was subverted by government officials and considers how the world might be different had he lived. The film will premiere on November 7 at 8PM ET/PT.
DESERT RUNNERS, directed by Jennifer Steinman, follows a diverse group of non-professional runners and their attempt to complete the most difficult ultra-marathon race series on Earth. Their dramatic journey takes them across the world's most picturesque yet brutal landscapes, pushing their bodies, hearts and spirits through a myriad of external and internal obstacles. The film delves deep into the mindset of these ultra-athletes, and the complex ways in which human beings deal with both heartbreak and triumph. The film will premiere on November 21 at 8PM ET/PT.
The documentaries will also be available on
DIRECTV on Demand,
DIRECTV Everywhere, on home video and via electronic sell-thru.
The theatrical screening dates of each of these films is still to be announced. Please go to www.somethingtotalkabout.us for more information on theatrical dates and cities and updates on the series.
About Brainstorm Media:
Brainstorm Media develops, produces and distributes films for all media. Founded in 1995, it is the oldest independent aggregator for VOD, SVOD and TV and continues to push the threshold in independent distribution by integrating digital, TV, DVD and theatrical strategies. Brainstorm is partnered with
DIRECTV on the documentary film series
Something to Talk About and the company releases movies and curates channels under the Fangoria label.
About Something to Talk About
Presented by Brainstorm Media and DirecTV's AUDIENCE NETWORK,
Something to Talk About introduces new, socially relevant and critically acclaimed documentary features in a select group of theaters around the US and on the AUDIENCE NETWORK. Each film includes a filmmaker interview as final wraparound. In certain venues, the film will also be followed by a live discussion.
About Audience:
Audience is a unique and exclusive television experience available only to
DIRECTV subscribers. The channel first made its mark in 2008 (as The 101 Network) by partnering with
NBC to produce and air three additional seasons of the Emmy Award-winning series Friday Night Lights and in 2010 it became the exclusive home of the critically-acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning drama Damages, starring Glenn Close.
DIRECTV continues its commitment to original content with series including ROGUE, an exclusive suspense-drama starring award-winning actress Thandie Newton, and Full Circle, the television debut of acclaimed writer Neil LaBute, starring Kate Walsh, Julian McMahon, Minka Kelly and David Boreanaz. The network has become the premier destination for smart, innovative and critically acclaimed TV fare as we search the globe for the best new series such as Hit & Miss (United Kingdom), Rake (Australia),
Call Me Fitz and
Less Than Kind (Canada). The Dan Patrick Show, and its companion series The Box Score, keep sports fans up to date with the latest sports talk. Viewers also enjoy the
Guitar Center Sessions series and major events such as the annual
DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl. For more info, please visit www.DirecTV.com/audience
About DirecTV:
DirecTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 36 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S.,
DIRECTV offers its over 20 million customers access to more than 190 HD channels and Dolby-Digital(R) 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running.
DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, andother Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 16 million customers.
DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DirecTV, please visit www.DirecTV.com
