Berkeley Director Determined to Bring Light to Voting Rights Once Screening at a Time

Sundance Film Fest Award-winning documentary 'AMERICAN BLACKOUT' Opening in San Francisco & Larkspur Gregory W. Neil p. 212.691.2800 gwneil@gmail.com Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and hailed as "powerful" and "engrossing," director Ian Inaba's searing documentary feature American Blackout will open September 15 for engagements in San Francisco at the Landmark Opera Plaza Cinemas and in Larkspur at The Lark Theater. The release is part of a nationwide theatrical roll-out and grassroots DVD effort first launched in Atlanta to coincide with the recent primary runoff for Cynthia McKinney's congressional seat. Recently featured in the New York Times, American Blackout is a multi-year effort that chronicles the recurring patterns of minority disenfranchisement witnessed in the 2000 and 2004 elections. It follows the story of recently defeated Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who not only took an active role in investigating these election debacles but also found herself in the middle of her own after publicly questioning the Bush Administration about the 9/11 terrorist attacks and again following her alleged altercation with Capitol Hill Police earlier this year. Some call McKinney a civil rights leader among the ranks of Shirley Chisholm and Malcolm X. Others call her a conspiracy theorist and a 'looney.' American Blackout gains unprecedented access to one of the most controversial and dangerous politicians in America and examines the contemporary tactics used to control our democratic process and silence political dissent. The Hollywood Reporter says, "One of the beauties of American Blackout is that even if viewers don't share her politics, what was done to McKinney in an effort to unseat her, is so mean spirited and unfair, it would be difficult not to be moved by her against-all-odds return to Congress." Ironic, as it has just happened again. This film is a perfect hook for a feature taking a look at these formidable voting issues as we approach the 2006 midterm elections in November and with the recent debate in Congress over the renewal of the Voting Rights Act. It serves as an alarming wake-up call for minority voters that forces are actively conspiring to co-opt and even steal their votes. We'd love to offer you a preview DVD for feature considerations. The film's director will be available for interview. The film features interviews with: US Congressional Representatives, John Lewis, Cynthia McKinney, John Conyers, Bernie Sanders, and Stephanie Tubbs-Jones; former US Civil Rights Commissioner & Dean of UC Berkeley's School of Law, Christopher Edley; BBC journalist Greg Palast; and, Van Jones, Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center. American Blackout is directed by GNN's Ian Inaba, the creator of the controversial pre-election music video for Eminem's "Mosh" and features music from: DJ Shadow, Soulsavers and Thievery Corporation, among others. View the trailer