PALM PICTURES ACQUIRES "AFRICA UNITE"
“Africa Unite beautifully captures a landmark event,", September 29th, 2007
“Our longtime relationship with the Marley family makes Palm Pictures the natural home for this film.”
For Immediate Release
PALM PICTURES ANNOUNCES THE ACQUISITION OF
FEATURE DOCUMENTARY THAT HONORS WORLD WIDE REGGAE ICON BOB MARLEY AND HIS VISION OF AFRICAN UNITY
AFRICA UNITE
New York, NY (September 18 , 2007) — Chris Blackwell’s Palm Pictures announced the acquisition of all North American and United Kingdom rights for the politically driven music documentary AFRICA UNITE, produced and directed by Stephanie Black. Features exclusive footage of three generations of the Marley family on their historic first journey together to the capital of Ethiopia, to take part in a concert event like no other.
The deal was brokered by Palm Pictures CFO Marty Hillis, Doreen Crujeiras on behalf of Tuff Gong Pictures and Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films, the company she co-owns and co-operates with CEO Danny Glover. Palm Pictures plans for a Winter 2007 theatrical release followed by a first quarter 2008 DVD release, as part of Black History Month.
“Africa Unite beautifully captures a landmark event, marking a joyous step toward Bob’s lifelong dream of African unity,” states Lisa Nishimura-Seese, General Manager of Palm Pictures. “Our longtime relationship with the Marley family makes Palm Pictures the natural home for this film.”
“It’s our aim with this documentary to further Bob Marley’s eternal message of hope and struggle across continents and generations,” says director Stephanie Black. “AFRICA UNITE is a call to action catalyzed by Bob Marley’s musical legacy,” agrees Danny Glover, one of the film’s executive producers. “Bob Marley loved Africa, and the fact that we are able to carry on his work, with his spirit, is important.”
The film world premiered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on September 15th as a highlight of that country’s Millennium celebrations and received a lengthy standing ovation from an audience that included Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giorgis, UN Economic Commission for Africa Under-Secretary-General Abdoulie Janneh and host organizer Bjorn Ljungqvist from UNICEF.
Film Synopsis:
AFRICA UNITE is a singular and masterfully executed film by Stephanie Black that is at once concert tribute, Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary, igniting the screen with the spirit of world-renowned reggae icon BOB MARLEY in its every frame. In commemoration of Bob’s 60th birthday, Africa Unite is centered on the Marleys’ first-time-ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005. Includes rare footage of the legendary reggae icon Bob Marley.
There in the capital city of Addis Ababa three generations of Marleys take part in a 12-hour concert attended by more than 300,000 people from around the world, with the ultimate purpose of inspiring the young generations of Africa to unite for the future of their continent.
Features exuberant on-stage spots as well as a soundtrack brimming with Bob Marley studio classics. Includes appearances by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador / actor Danny Glover, world music sensation and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo, Bob Marley’s mother Mrs. Booker, and Princess Mary, granddaughter of His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I. Produced and directed by Stephanie Black (Life & Debt, H-2 Worker), and Executive Produced by Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes.
About Palm Pictures
Palm Pictures (www.palmpictures.com) is a leader in the converging music, digital media, theatrical and home video markets, emphasizing a compelling slate of music documentaries, arthouse, independent, foreign cinema, and original audio/visual projects. Palm Pictures was founded in 1998 by Chris Blackwell, an innovator in the entertainment business who founded Island Records, Island Pictures and Island Outpost, and who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Palm Pictures' entertainment properties include a film and music division, Arthouse Films, The Directors Label and Palm World Voices. Palm Pictures is headquartered in New York City and London.
About Louverture Films
Dedicated to the development and production of films of historical relevance and social purpose, Louverture Films is also passionate about the objective of nurturing artistic creativity and integrity. The New York-based company owned and operated by Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes has a slate of progressive features and documentaries, which includes the critically-acclaimed BAMAKO (a New Yorker Films release) and the action-epic TOUSSAINT. The latter deals with the Haitian Revolution and the heroic life of Toussaint Louverture, who led one of the only successful slave uprisings in history. His efforts decisively defeated the French, Spanish and British imperial armies and established the first independent black Republic: Haiti. The film will be directed by Danny Glover in 2008. www.louverturefilms.com
About Africa Unite Foundation
Born in Ethiopia in 2005, and again realized in Ghana in 2006, the now annual Africa Unite event came to life from the unwavering passion and spirit of Mrs. Rita Marley. Mrs. Marley and her family are inspired to spread the spirit and legacy of Bob Marley, continuing to bring life to his Songs of Freedom and to actively work towards a united Africa in their lifetime. The Africa Unite events have begun a global movement that creates awareness for vital issues affecting Africa, as well as for realizing important and meaningful change that will contribute to lasting solutions. Through a series of benefit concerts, symposiums, fund raisers and events, Africa Unite will encourage peace, education and empowerment for youth in Africa while working to manifest change throughout the world. For more information click on www.africa-unite.org
For additional information, please contact:
Daniela Markoska Sapkar
Daniela.Markoska@gmail.com
646.644.4418
Deborah Schonfeld
Palm Pictures
Deborah.Schonfeld@palmpictures.com
212.320.3724
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