TORONTO/EDMONTON Jan. 22, 2009 - Independent America: Rising from Ruins, a new feature documentary by filmmaker Hanson Hosein and Executive Producer Tom Powers will have its world premiere on Super Channel, Jan. 26, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET. The pairs’ first collaboration, the award-winning Independent America - The Two Lane Search for Mom & Pop will immediately precede it at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Independent America: Rising from Ruins (70’, HD) (www.risingfromruins.com) takes a hard yet hopeful look at the risks and rewards of small business ownership in post Katrina New Orleans. It depicts the locals coming home to resurrect their businesses and neighborhoods and the challenges they now face from all sides including their City government and big box retail.
Hanson Hosein, a former NBC foreign correspondent and Emmy winner who is currently the Director of the Master in Communication Digital Media program at the University of Washington, said “It’s inspiring how small business was the first to return to the city, even as some chain retailers chose not to return.” “There’s a lesson there for any community in distress after a disaster – who can you count on? The answer we found, quite simply, is your neighbour”.
Tom Powers (Open Door Co.) adds; “Having never been to New Orleans before, I was most struck by the scale of the destruction – even three years after the fact there is still so much to do. I was even more struck, however, by the resolve and determination of those who came back to attempt the rebuilding of a sustainable future. Their personal risk is enormous”.
“Super Channel is proud to offer smart documentaries, produced by Canadian companies like Open Door. They are a terrific example of the innovation we are offering viewers,” said Sandy Perkins, Super Channel, Vice-President of Programming. “Our goal is to offer Canadians more programs that can’t be found anywhere else and we are pleased we can find entertainment made right here at home.”
For Hosein, Rising from Ruins is the completion of an unfinished journey. When doing his first full-length documentary “Independent America: The Two Lane Search for Mom & Pop”, Hosein and his wife, Heather Hughes, decided to bypass New Orleans six weeks before Katrina hit, in order to make a key interview with Wal Mart in Arkansas. “Now we’re here to honor the voices of Moms & Pops and hopefully help them shape the future of an independent New Orleans,” says Hosein.
Independent America: Rising From Ruins, shot and produced in full HD video, is a co-production between Open Door Co. and HRH Media.
CONTACT
Tom Powers, Executive Producer: (416) 855-7386; tpowers@opendoorco.com
For Super Channel
Sylvie Powell, Communications: 613-290-1497; spowell@medialanecom.com
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