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AMS PICTURES PRESS RELEASE
Released On:
Friday, September 26, 2008
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Tammy Nguyen Lee
214.646.9309
TNLee@amspg.com
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THE REAL GREAT DEBATERS DEBUTS TO ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE
AMS Pictures tells the true story that inspired the movie.
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Dallas, TX – AMS Pictures recently debuted The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College to an enthusiastic audience at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York City. The screening, a near sell-out, took place on September 11, 2008 at the AMC Loews 34th St. Theater, following a reception with Wiley College and the United Negro College Fund sponsored by the New York law firm of Day Pitney LLP. A second screening was presented at the festival the following day.
Inspired by the critically acclaimed Hollywood film The Great Debaters, The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College unveils the true story of Wiley College’s 1935 debate team and their astonishing defeat of the reigning national champions.
At the premiere were AMS Pictures representatives Executive Producer Andy Streitfeld, Producers Laura Neitzel and Monika Watkins, and Director of Development Tammy Nguyen Lee. Wiley College debate coach Dr. Shannon LaBove and Director of Admissions and Recruitment Alvena Jones were also in attendance.
Audience members, which included broadcast network executives, gave the film high marks. “Everyone should see this film” was a common refrain, as was praise for its depth, its historical accuracy, its emotional appeal, and the high production values. One audience member, a Tuskegee airman, expressed his appreciation for the fact that the film gave an accurate, positive image of African Americans as sophisticated and educated, a representation which is too frequently missing from the mainstream media. He contrasted it with much of commercial television, which too often portrays African Americans as poor and uneducated or as thugs and criminals.
Other audience members stated that they found the true stories of the great debaters more compelling than the feature film, and the true events more inspiring. Some audience members expressed that they were captivated and entertained by The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College despite not having seen the feature film. Audience members also swore to spread the word about the film, and to actively promote additional screenings at other venues.
The buzz created by the screenings at Urbanworld Film Festival has already generated numerous invitations for the film to screen at other festivals, and has opened the door for network consideration. AMS Pictures anticipates that this highly-lauded premiere at Urbanworld will prove to have been a successful launch pad for The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College.
For additional information about The Real Great Debaters of Wiley College or the Black History Uncovered series, contact Tammy Nguyen Lee, via phone at 214-646-9309 or email at TNLee@amspg.com
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