Oprah Winfrey Network Acquires Miss Representation

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is adding the documentary "Miss Representation" to the OWN Documentary Film Club, it was announced today by Lisa Erspamer, chief creative officer, OWN. Directed by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the Sundance Film Festival favorite is the 11th documentary acquisition for OWN.

"Miss Representation" brings together some of America's most influential women in politics, news and entertainment, including Condoleezza Rice, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Margaret Cho, Rosario Dawson and Gloria Steinem to give audiences an inside look at the media's message and depiction of women. The film explores women's under-representation in positions of power by challenging their limited and often disparaging portrayals in the media. "Miss Representation" takes the stand that the media is portraying women's primary values as their youth, beauty and sexuality - rather than their capacity as leaders.

To further this important dialogue, ro*co films will act on behalf of "Miss Representation" to distribute the film to educational institutions and libraries for classroom use and university screenings.

"Having partners like OWN and ro*co will enable 'Miss Representation' to have the greatest impact on audiences," said Ms. Newsom. "The film was made to be a change agent for our culture, to inspire women to find their own voice and power, and for men to see women as their equals."

"Through personal stories and provocative interviews, Jennifer crystallizes the relevance of the media and its portrayal of women in today's society," said Ms. Erspamer. "We believe this film will lead to an important conversation we want to be having with the OWN audience."

Annie Roney, founder and managing director of ro*co films said, "This is more than a film, it's a movement. Reaching our country's college youth is a distribution platform of great significance and long-term impact. We look forward to working with the outreach team that Jennifer is putting together to widely promote this film in the educational market for many years."

Kevin Iwashina of Preferred Content represented "Miss Representation" in negotiations with OWN.

About OWN Documentary Film Club:

OWN's Documentary Film Club aims to engage audiences in the same manner that Oprah's Book Club significantly changed the reading habits of the country, and was created to spotlight cinematic documentaries that inspire and entertain. Rosie O'Donnell is a collaborator for the OWN Documentary Film Club selecting key films and hosting specials that inspire deeper conversations. The slate of previously announced original documentaries that comprise the OWN Documentary Film Club include "Extraordinary Moms," "Serving Life," "Seven Suicides" and "Tent City, USA." Acquired documentaries include "65 Red Roses," "Becoming Chaz," "Crime After Crime," "Family Affair," "Life 2.0," "Louder than a Bomb," "Most Valuable Players," "No Woman, No Cry," "One Lucky Elephant" and "Sons of Perdition."

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey NETWORK

A joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications, OWN: Oprah Winfrey NETWORK is a multi-platform media company designed to entertain, inform and inspire people to live their best lives. OWN debuted on January 1, 2011, in approximately 80 million homes on what was the Discovery Health Channel. The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform, Oprah.com.

 

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