PHILADELPHIA FILMMAKER TO PRESENT DOCUMENTARY TO CANADIAN PARLIAMENT UNCOVERING THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF ANTI MINING ACTIVIST
Submitted by Jamie on Fri, 05/21/2010
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PHILADELPHIA FILMMAKER TO PRESENT DOCUMENTARY TO CANADIAN PARLIAMENT UNCOVERING THE SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF ANTI MINING ACTIVIST
Philadelphia, PA May 22, 2010 - Philadelphia based documentary filmmaker Jamie Moffett will be screening his work Return to El Salvador on June 15th at Canadian Parliament in Ottawa, Canada.
Return to El Salvador, documents the aftermath of a 12 year civil war and the interplay between the Salvadoran people and the US politics and policies that directly influence the Central American country. Narrated by Martin Sheen, the film features interviews by former US ambassador to El Salvador Robert White, and has been endorsed by Nobel Peace Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
One aspect of the film outlines the disappearance of prominent mining activist Marcelo Rivera. While in El Salvador shooting principal photography, Moffett and his crew stumbled upon the disappearance of Rivera - he had been "disappeared" days prior to the filming of the documentary. Marcelo's kidnapping, torture and murder signifies a shift. No longer are people being disappeared solely for political reasons, but now social leaders who would dare to stand up for the environment. Investigating further, our crew found more and more signs in this mysterious disappearance pointing towards the Vancouver-based Pacific Rim Mining Company. Eventually, as the film goes on to tell, Rivera's body was found - not by police, who had no information, but by his friends.
"I'm eager to share the story of the torture and death of Marcelo Rivera as it relates to Canadian mining corporations," says Moffett. "The story I came across changed my life. It's critically important that Canadians take stock of what corporations that fly the Canadian flag are doing and the way this affects how Canadians are perceived worldwide."
What Return to El Salvador makes clear is that the rebuilding is not over, and that the spectre of Salvadoran death squads still lingers. Moffett will be in Ottawa the morning of June 15th from 7:30 to 9:00 am at Center Block House of Commons to present the film to Canadian Parliament at the behest of MP John McKay. Return to El Salvador was requested by McKay because he brought forth Bill C-300, a corporate accountability bill, to Canadian Parliament and is invested in our film's message.
"Return to El Salvador is a moving documentary which highlights the unwavering strength of the El Salvadorian people through immense hardships," says McKay. "Chronicling the country’s difficult past, Jamie Moffett, the film’s director highlights the key issues that exist in the country today. His portrayal of the issues this country faces, particularly those related to matters of foreign interference demonstrate the importance of our own countries actions, on those living in this small country."
The film debuts internationally in Toronto June 17th, 7pm at the Bloor Cinema, with a limited theatrical run before releasing as video on demand to Hulu, Netflix and iTunes in September. Mr. Moffett is available for interview immediately following the Parliament screening. MPs interested in attending should contact Ms. Claire Lehan, Legislative Assistant to Hon. John McKay, at 613-992-6512 or McKayJ8@parl.gc.ca. Press and other interested parties can contact Mr. Moffett directly.
Contact:
Katy Otto
Development and PR
Jamie Moffett
Director/Producter
Ph: +215.840.8552
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