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American Radical has won the Cinema Politica Audience Choice Award for 2009!

“American Radical is one of our favourite films and we are delighted to see that our audiences agree! We will be giving out the award to the film’s directors, Nicolas Rossier and David Ridgen this summer…”

Find out more at the official Cinema Politica site here.

Typecast Releasing is pleased to announce the acquisition of Dear Pyongyang!

The daughter of a leader of the pro-North Korean movement in Japan, Yang Yonghi was separated from her brothers at a young age when they were sent to North Korea under a repatriation campaign.  However, as the economic situation in the North deteriorated, the brothers became increasingly dependent for survival on the care packages sent by their parents. The film shows Yang’s visits to her brothers in Pyongyang, as well as conversations with her father about his ideological faith and his regrets over breaking up his family.

Providing a rare glimpse into North Korea, Dear Pyongyang provides the viewer with a haunting and profound vision of one of the most isolated countries on earth.

American Radical North American Theatrical Screening Dates:

* February 11-17, 2010 . New York, NY at Anthology Film Archives
* March 8-11, 2010 . Seattle, WA at Northwest Film Forum
* March 12-18, 2010 . Los Angeles, CA at Laemmle Theatres
* March 23-30, 2010 . New Orleans, LA at Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center
* March 28, 2010 . San Francisco, CA at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
* April 15-16, 2010 . Columbus, OH at Wexner Center for the Arts
* April 23-29, 2010 . Montreal, QC at Cinema du Parc
* April 24, 2010 . Chicago, IL at Chicago Palestine Film Festival
* May 23-26, 2010 . Vancouver, BC at Pacific Cinematheque
* June 3, 2010 . San Francisco, CA at Roxie Theater

Typecast Releasing is pleased to announce that American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein, the new feature-length documentary film from directors David Ridgen (Mississippi Cold Case) and Nicolas Rossier (Aristide and the Endless Revolution), enjoyed a successful premiere and week-long run in NYC at Anthology Film Archives in February—with Norman Finkelstein and the directors in attendance at opening weekend screenings for Q&A. American Radical next went on to play in Seattle, WA at the Northwest Film Forum and then had its Los Angeles theatrical premiere at Laemmle Theatres’ Music Hall 3 cinemas in Beverly Hills, with opening night events on Friday, March 12 sponsored by the Levantine Cultural Center. The film had a successful two-week theatrical run in Montreal, QC at Cinema du Parc and will next be showing at Pacific Cinematheque in Vancouver, BC from May 23-26 after which it will be screened at the Roxie Theater in San Francisco on June 3, with a panel discussion following both screenings there.

A devoted son of Holocaust survivors and ardent critic of Israeli foreign policy, the polarizing American political scientist and author Norman Finkelstein has been called a lunatic and self-hating Jew by some, and an inspirational revolutionary by others. Exploring the deeply complex issues at the heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, American Radical is the insightful and enraging documentary that follows Finkelstein around the world as he attempts to negotiate a voice among his impassioned critics and supporters. Uncompromising even in the face of his recent denial of tenure at DePaul University, Finkelstein is revealed as a complex and supremely lonely figure whose self-destructive nature often undermines his academic credibility. A guaranteed argument starter, this potent documentary plunges viewers into the psychological and intellectual underpinnings of a vitriolic personality.

“For us, Finkelstein is the consummate documentary subject: a complex firebrand, principled to the point of self-ruin, at the apex of several of the world’s largest conflicts. A man who has never been asked to appear on mainstream American television, but who regularly appears – always creating controversy – in the international media. At once anti-hero, clown, and merciless scholar, Finkelstein creates as many storms as he enters. And to what end? When radicals collide, does it create understanding? Some would argue that it sometimes does. Others would claim that Finkelstein’s principled but too often bitter advocacy does much to discredit the cause of a just resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Audiences can decide for themselves.” —directors David Ridgen & Nicolas Rossier

VIEW TRAILER:

REVIEWS:

“‘American Radical: The Trials of Norman Finkelstein’ is a cautiously respectful documentary portrait of a political firebrand who presents himself as a beacon of moral truth in the murk of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” —Stephen Holden, New York Times

“Surprisingly entertaining…a compelling portrait of a difficult man.” —Mark Cohen, The Jewish Daily Forward

“With impressive restraint, the fascinatingly thorny ‘American Radical’ is less interested in the validity of Finkelstein’s ideas—seriously mounted, if inflammatory—and more in the topsy-turvy life of today’s professional academic. Amazingly, that choice doesn’t result in a boring movie.” —Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

“‘American Radical’…presents a more balanced portrait of Finkelstein, who, when his passion doesn’t carry him off on a wave of anger, is shown to be thoughtful, intelligent and deeply melancholy.” —George Robinson, The Jewish Week

“A blood-boiling, very good documentary.” —Mark Keizer, Boxoffice Magaine

“(Norman Finkelstein’s) conclusions can be debated, his methods can be deplored, but as (‘American Radical’ directors) Ridgen and Rossier take pains to point out, a man so rigorously committed to putting an end to oppression ought not be so easily dismissed, even if coming to grips with such a challenging figure may be finally as difficult as getting to the bottom of the Arab-Israeli conflict itself.” —Andrew Schenker, Slant Magazine

“A guaranteed argument starter…an engaging portrait of an academic whose work is both fueled and undermined by his vitriolic personality.” —Chicago Reader

“A fascinating, well-rounded portrait of Finkelstein that simultaneously informs, inspires and infuriates…the filmmakers ride a delicate line, assembling a warts-and-all portrait that shows why Finkelstein is deeply respected and equally reviled.” —Mark Achbar, director of ‘The Corporation’ and ‘Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media’

Director Brigid Maher will be in attendance at the Middle East Studies conference screening of her new documentary film, VEILED VOICES. Maher’s film will be shown at 4:15pm on Sunday,  November 22 at the 2009 Middle East Studies conference, to be held in Boston, Massachusetts from November 21-24.

VEILED VOICES investigates the world of Muslim women religious leaders through the eyes of three women in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Filmed over the course of two years, Maher’s film reveals a world rarely documented, exploring both the public and private worlds of these women Islamic leaders. Other Typecast titles being screened at the Middle East Studies conference this year are AMERICAN RADICAL: THE TRIALS OF NORMAN FINKELSTEIN, directed by David Ridgen and Nicolas Rossier, REMNANTS OF A WAR, from director Jawad Metni and the latest feature from Lebanese director Jocelyne Saab, DUNIA: KISS ME NOT ON THE EYES. Go here to find the full film schedule for this year’s MESA conference in Boston.

Veiled Voices will premiere as a national broadcast on Link TV on September 13th, at 8pm EST and continue to screen throughout the month. The documentary will be part of special programming on Link TV for Ramadan—the Holy Month of Fasting for Muslims.

About the Film:

Veiled Voices seeks to introduce American audiences to the little-known world of Muslim women religious leaders, exposing the fallacy of assuming veiled women to be victims of Islam. The film reveals the challenges these women face in receiving recognition of their leadership roles, and highlights the gaps between the rights that Islam has given to women and the challenges they face in claiming those rights.

About the Filmmaker:

Producer and director Brigid Maher is a filmmaker, video producer and an assistant professor in the Film and Media Arts Division at American University in Washington D.C.  The primary focus of her work is on issues of cultural identity and discrimination.  Maher has directed film and live theater productions around the world and recently completed a film short, AWOL, shot on location in Lebanon. The film has recently toured the festival circuit.  Maher also wrote, directed and produced the feature film Adrift in the Heartland, which was filmed in the West Bank and in Chicago.  Her films have been screened at numerous film festivals in the USA and abroad.

About Link TV:

Link TV broadcasts programs that engage, educate and activate viewers to become involved in the world. These programs provide a unique perspective on international news, current events and diverse cultures, presenting issues not often covered in the U.S. media. Link TV is available on Channel 375 on DIRECTV satellite service and on Channel 9410 on the DISH® NETWORK.

Veiled Voices is distributed exclusively by Typecast Releasing.
Phone: (206) 322-0882
Fax: (206) 322-4586
Email: info@typecastfilms.com

Visit the Veiled Voices website at veiledvoices.com.

Typecast Releasing to Distribute Brigid Maher’s
New Documentary, Veiled Voices

Washington, DC – July 13, 2009:

Filmmaker Brigid Maher [AWOL, Adrift in the Heartland] has signed an exclusive deal with Typecast Releasing for U.S. distribution of her latest film, Veiled Voices.

Women across the Arab world are redefining their role as leaders in Islam. Veiled Voices investigates the world of Muslim women religious leaders through the eyes of three women in Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Filmed over the course of two years, Veiled Voices reveals a world rarely documented, exploring both the public and private worlds of these women. The stories featured in the film give insight into how Muslim women are now increasingly willing to challenge the status quo from within their religion, promoting Islam as a powerful force for positive transformation in the world. Each triumphs over difficult challenges as they carve out a space to lead—both in Islam and in their communities.

Producer and Director Brigid Maher is a filmmaker, multimedia designer and an assistant professor in the Film and Media Arts Division at American University in Washington, DC. Her work focuses on issues of cultural identity and discrimination. She has directed film and theater productions all around the world and recently completed the short film AWOL, which was filmed on location in Lebanon and is now touring the festival circuit. Maher wrote, directed and produced the feature film Adrift In the Heartland, which was filmed in the West Bank and in Chicago. Maher’s films have been screened at international film festivals both in the USA and abroad.

“John Sinno and Typecast Releasing are nationally renowned for cutting edge work having to do with the Middle East. It’s an honor and an exciting opportunity.” –Brigid Maher

“Through its genuine portraits, Veiled Voices vividly illustrates the important role that Muslim women can play in shaping the future of the religion.” –John Sinno

Typecast Releasing currently has Veiled Voices available on DVD for institutional purchase and on other formats for broadcast and festival screenings in the USA.

You can view clips and find more information at veiledvoices.com. To purchase an institutional DVD copy, click here. Please contact Alex at (206) 322-0882 ext. 202 or by email at alex-at-typecastfilms.com if you have any questions.

Sheikha Stories:

Also directed by Brigid Maher, Sheikha Stories is now available for institutional purchase on DVD, with a discount applied if purchased together with institutional DVD copy of Veiled Voices. This collection of five documentary shorts profiles women of the Middle East and the institutions that support their role in Islam. For information on each of the individual short films, click here. Sheikha Stories is also available for broadcast and festival screenings in the USA.

Ars Magna, a short documentary released by Typecast Releasing as part of the International Documentary Challenge, has received a nomination in the 30th Annual News & Documentary Emmy® Awards. The announcement was made July 14 by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).

The film, directed by Cory Kelley and produced by Sean Roach, qualified for the Emmy’s by receiving a national broadcast on PBS’ POV series, public television’s premier showcase for independent documentaries. POV is the second most-nominated program after CBS News’ “60 Minutes.”

Now in its 5^th year, the International Documentary Challenge is a timed filmmaking competition in which filmmakers from around the world have five days to make a short documentary film (4-7 min.) In 2009, 147 filmmakers from 15 countries participated, making it the largest Doc Challenge to date. Presenting Partners include the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Film Festival in Toronto (where the winning films premiere), POV/American Documentary, Documentary Educational Resources and KDHX.The News & Documentary

Emmy Awards will be presented on Monday, Sept. 21 at a ceremony at Frederick P. Rose Hall at Lincoln Center, located in the Time Warner Center in New York City.

To learn more about the international documentary challenge, visit http://documentarychallenge.org/.

Write, shoot and edit a short non-fiction film in just 5 days. You must use an all-volunteer crew, none of whom will be getting much sleep in order to submit the film before the judges’ deadline.

This DVD collection features a variety of short non-fiction works from around the globe – from China to New York City; from Seattle to Amsterdam; from Montana to Japan – representing the very best from filmmakers who participated in the first three years of the International Documentary Challenge.

Available on DVD March 17, 2009.  For more information click here.

Typecast Releasing is proud to announce the home video availability of Tunisian director Nacer Khemir’s critically acclaimed 2006 film, Bab’Aziz – The Prince Who Contemplated his Soul. The final film in Khemir’s Desert Trilogy was a New York Times Critic’s Pick, while Sheri Linden of the L.A. Times stated, “there’s nothing forced about Bab’Aziz; its ideas resonate quietly, building to a breathtaking climax.”

The DVD also includes the new 20-minute featurette called Nacer Khemir’s Desert Trilogy, an insightful look into the director’s films and fascinating expositions on the connections between Bab’Aziz, The Dove’s Lost Necklace and Wanderers of the Desert.

“The breathtaking desert landscapes that dominate Nacer Khemir’s beautiful, elliptical Middle East drama deserve the big screen. . . you’ll remember the dreamlike state the film induces long after the credits roll.”
– New York Magazine

(2006, 96 minutes, In Arabic & Farsi with English subtitles, Directed by Nacer Khemir)

DVD Special Features

• Nacer Khemirs Desert Trilogy (20 minute featurette)
• New digital transfer from original film elements
• Trailers
• 5.1 Audio