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Follow on Google News | 'Kunta Kinteh Island', an Elvin Ross documentary, debuts in Atlanta with a Private ScreeningAtlanta will host the private screening for new documentary film, "Kunta Kinteh Island: Coming Home Without Shackles". The film honors Kunta Kinteh, who gained worldwide recognition in the 1977 ABC television series "Roots".
Endorsed by director Tyler Perry, Urban League CEO Marc Morial, actor Ben Vereen, and many other VIP's, the Elvin Ross Studios' Multi-city African history film tour visits the City of Atlanta with multiple events FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ATLANTA, GA (February 2013) - The City of Atlanta will host a screening of the new documentary film, "Kunta Kinteh Island: Coming Home Without Shackles" on Friday, March 1, 2013. The film honors the celebrated captive African, KuntaKinteh, who gained worldwide recognition in the 1977 ABC television series "Roots". The insightful documentary has the support of many prominent African Americans, including writer, director and actor Tyler Perry, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial, and many other entertainment, civic and spiritual leaders. The film is also being widely supported by academia with planned tour stops at influential institutions including Harvard University, Morehouse College, Wayne State University, Northeastern University and St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. The private Atlanta VIP Premiere screening will take place on Friday March 1st at 7:30pm at the Woodruff Arts Center. "I felt the heart and emotion of our rich history in this brilliantly made and powerful documentary, Kunta Kinteh Island," said Tyler Perry, owner of Tyler Perry Studios. "I am very proud of my long time friend and composer for recognizing the importance of retelling this story to this generation. I can't wait for everyone to see it!" Produced by Elvin Ross Studios, the film was made to educate a new generation of Americans about the legendary Mandinka Warrior Kunta, and as a philanthropic effort to raise funds for the Albreda Jeffereh Primary School inKinteh's impoverished Gambian village. The documentary traces the life of KuntaKinteh; "Kunta Kinteh Island: Coming Home Without Shackles, is a powerful intersection of African and American history," shared Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. "Elvin Ross, in his directorial debut, shines a light on this fascinating story that celebrates the strength and spirit of the Gambian people, and introduces this important part of history to a new generation." Special guests are featured throughout the epic documentary including the noted actor Ben Vereen, who played the beloved character 'Chicken George' in "Roots"; singer Jermaine Jackson of music's Jackson Family; His Excellency Yahya Jammeh, President of Gambia; and members of the Kinteh family who still reside in Kunta Kinteh's tribal village in Gambia to this day. "This documentary is a needed and significant reminder of the African Holocaust," said popular actor Ben Vereen who plays an acting part in the documentary as its narrator and who also offers interview commentary in the film. Elvin Ross made the film as a labor of love, after years of offering varied support to the Kinteh family and uncovering a unique perspective they had of their famed ancestor, Kunta. Ross felt a deep sense of urgency to complete the dynamic picture of Kinteh that the vast majority of the world was not privy to see. "The fact that generations of Americans have not heard this story at all or have only heard a small portion of it through the Roots series, meant there was a historical void that I felt compelled to fill in making this film," said Ross, director, executive producer and composer of Kunta Kinteh Island. "I also wanted theKinteh family's generosity in sharing Kunta's life with me to benefit the condition of their lives and further his legacy". The Kunta Kinteh Island educational film tour will visit multiple cities across the U.S. and consists of three primary types of philanthropic events in each city: a red carpet screening of the documentary, an educational event, or a faith-based gathering. The Atlanta events consists of two screenings-one at the Bank of America Auditorium, Walter E. Massey Academic Center (Morehouse College) on Thursday, February 28th at 7PM and the final screening will be a red carpet affair on March 1st at the Woodruff Arts Center at 7:30PM. The Atlanta red carpet screening will be hosted by Tyler Perry (Tyler Perry Studios) with the Red Carpet hosted by 11Alive's own Karyn Greer. The Atlanta festivities will feature acknowledgements by Malachy G. Wienges (Chairman of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences), an invocation from Rev. Raphael Warnock (Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church) and a special Heritage Award presentation to Elisabeth Omilami (CEO of Hosea Feed the Hungry. The evening will feature celebrity and VIP guests, and offer a first opportunity to view the film and to lend financial support to the Elvin Ross Foundation. The Foundation will provide general funding, books and solar laptops to the primary school in Kunta Kinteh's village in Gambia. Select cities will also host black tie galas or thoughtful panel discussions on the documentary, to raise additional funds for the Gambian school. The Atlanta Host Committee includes - Evelyn Mims, Sheryl Riley Griper, Kiera Sills, Malaika Dowdell, and Aissa Holliday McDaniel. Visit www.elvinross.com for details of the Atlanta events and VIP attendees. MEDIA CONTACT: The Garner Circle PR Nicole Garner PR@TheGarnerCircle.com Daniel Dickey Daniel@TheGarnerCircle.com Trailer: http://www.kuntakintehislandmovie.com/ About Elvin Ross Studios Elvin Ross Studios is a production company that composes music for television and film, and produces documentary and feature films. Elvin Ross has enjoyed a more than 15-year career providing music for numerous Tyler Perry stage, television and film projects.Kunta Kinteh Island marks Ross' directorial debut and is the first of many film projects to come from Elvin Ross Studios. Elvin Ross is also a writer and teacher and is working on an academic curriculum companion to the Kunta Kinteh Island documentary, for secondary school and university students. End
Page Updated Last on: Feb 21, 2013
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