Release
SHOWTIME CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH THE SHOWTIME ORIGINAL PICTURE FOR ALL AGES "CROWN HEIGHTS" AND THE FIFTH AND FINAL SEASON OF THE HIT SERIES "SOUL FOOD®" NETWORK ALSO HIGHLIGHTS FIVE SHORTS AS PART OF ITS ANNUAL BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE
New York, NY, January 20, 2004 -- While SHOWTIME is known for its presentation of diverse programming 12 months of the year, during Black History Month programs with African-American themes take center stage. In 2004, the network is proud to present the Showtime Original Picture For All Ages, CROWN HEIGHTS. SHOWTIME will also celebrate the success of SOUL FOOD®, the longest-running dramatic African-American series on television, which will enter its fifth and final season on the network. Additionally, the works of five aspiring African-American filmmakers will be featured during the annual BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE, in which the network traditionally awards one talented filmmaker a $30,000 grant to make a short film that will premiere exclusively on SHOWTIME.
CROWN HEIGHTS
On February 16 at 9 PM (ET/PT), the network will premiere the Showtime Original Picture For All Ages CROWN HEIGHTS, starring Mario Van Peebles ("Ali," "New Jack City," the Showtime Original Picture 10,000 BLACK MEN NAMED GEORGE,) and Howie Mandel ("St. Elsewhere," "The Howie Mandel Show," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"). The multi-layered film takes place in the wake of the Crown Heights race riots where long-simmering tensions were brought to the surface after an African-American child was killed in a tragic car accident. Based on a true story, the film dramatizes how two community leaders strove to create dialogue and foster cultural understanding between the Jewish and African-American residents in Crown Heights by founding Project Cure. As a result, two boys, an African-American and an Orthodox Hasidic Jew, came together to form a rap group and discovered a friendship that sets an example for their peers and their parents. Jeremy Blackman ("Magnolia") is cast as Yudi Simon and Dequan Henderson ("Disappearing Acts") plays T.J. Moses. The film is being produced and directed by Jeremy Kagan ("The Chosen," "The West Wing," "The Journey of Natty Gann" and the Showtime Original Pictures ROSWELL, COLOR OF JUSTICE and BOBBIE'S GIRL) from a story by Michael D'Antonio and a teleplay by Toni Ann Johnson ("The Courage to Love," "Ruby Bridges"). CROWN HEIGHTS is a Jeremy Kagan production.
On February 16 at 9 PM (ET/PT), the network will premiere the Showtime Original Picture For All Ages CROWN HEIGHTS, starring Mario Van Peebles ("Ali," "New Jack City," the Showtime Original Picture 10,000 BLACK MEN NAMED GEORGE,) and Howie Mandel ("St. Elsewhere," "The Howie Mandel Show," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"). The multi-layered film takes place in the wake of the Crown Heights race riots where long-simmering tensions were brought to the surface after an African-American child was killed in a tragic car accident. Based on a true story, the film dramatizes how two community leaders strove to create dialogue and foster cultural understanding between the Jewish and African-American residents in Crown Heights by founding Project Cure. As a result, two boys, an African-American and an Orthodox Hasidic Jew, came together to form a rap group and discovered a friendship that sets an example for their peers and their parents. Jeremy Blackman ("Magnolia") is cast as Yudi Simon and Dequan Henderson ("Disappearing Acts") plays T.J. Moses. The film is being produced and directed by Jeremy Kagan ("The Chosen," "The West Wing," "The Journey of Natty Gann" and the Showtime Original Pictures ROSWELL, COLOR OF JUSTICE and BOBBIE'S GIRL) from a story by Michael D'Antonio and a teleplay by Toni Ann Johnson ("The Courage to Love," "Ruby Bridges"). CROWN HEIGHTS is a Jeremy Kagan production.
SOUL FOOD
Showtime's highly successful series SOUL FOOD premieres its fifth and final season on Wednesday, February 25 at 10:00 PM (ET/PT). This groundbreaking series has received numerous accolades including "Outstanding Drama Series" at the NAACP Image Awards for two consecutive years. Returning members of the award-winning cast include Nicole Ari Parker (Remember the Titans, Boogie Nights, Brown Sugar), Malinda Williams (The Wood), Vanessa Williams (Melrose Place, New Jack City), Rockmond Dunbar (Earth 2, The Practice), Darrin DeWitt Henson (Longshot) and Aaron Meeks (Showtime Original Picture For All Ages' Storm in Summer). Boris Kodjoe, who was a series regular for three years, will be making two guest appearances in the role of Damon, love interest to Nicole Ari Parker's character Teri. SOUL FOOD, a dramatic series based on the 1997 hit film of the same name, premiered on SHOWTIME in June 2000. SOUL FOOD is a Waterwalk Production, Edmonds Entertainment and State Street Pictures production in association with Paramount Network Television. Season five of SOUL FOOD is executive produced by Tracey E. Edmonds, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Robert Teitel, George Tillman, Jr., Salim Akil and Kathleen McGhee-Anderson.
Showtime's highly successful series SOUL FOOD premieres its fifth and final season on Wednesday, February 25 at 10:00 PM (ET/PT). This groundbreaking series has received numerous accolades including "Outstanding Drama Series" at the NAACP Image Awards for two consecutive years. Returning members of the award-winning cast include Nicole Ari Parker (Remember the Titans, Boogie Nights, Brown Sugar), Malinda Williams (The Wood), Vanessa Williams (Melrose Place, New Jack City), Rockmond Dunbar (Earth 2, The Practice), Darrin DeWitt Henson (Longshot) and Aaron Meeks (Showtime Original Picture For All Ages' Storm in Summer). Boris Kodjoe, who was a series regular for three years, will be making two guest appearances in the role of Damon, love interest to Nicole Ari Parker's character Teri. SOUL FOOD, a dramatic series based on the 1997 hit film of the same name, premiered on SHOWTIME in June 2000. SOUL FOOD is a Waterwalk Production, Edmonds Entertainment and State Street Pictures production in association with Paramount Network Television. Season five of SOUL FOOD is executive produced by Tracey E. Edmonds, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Robert Teitel, George Tillman, Jr., Salim Akil and Kathleen McGhee-Anderson.
BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE
On February 4, beginning at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), SHOWTIME's support of up-and-coming African-American filmmakers continues as it presents its Annual Black Filmmaker Showcase. The 2004 showcase includes five short films including BUTCH MYSTIQUE, this year's winning short from Debra A. Wilson. Wilson will receive a $30,000 grant to be used towards the production of a 15-30 minute short, which will air exclusively on SHOWTIME in the future. Additionally, SHOWTIME will premiere the short film LAND OF THE FREE, a new short from 2003 BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE grant winner Edford Banuel.
On February 4, beginning at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), SHOWTIME's support of up-and-coming African-American filmmakers continues as it presents its Annual Black Filmmaker Showcase. The 2004 showcase includes five short films including BUTCH MYSTIQUE, this year's winning short from Debra A. Wilson. Wilson will receive a $30,000 grant to be used towards the production of a 15-30 minute short, which will air exclusively on SHOWTIME in the future. Additionally, SHOWTIME will premiere the short film LAND OF THE FREE, a new short from 2003 BLACK FILMMAKER SHOWCASE grant winner Edford Banuel.
8:00 PM (ET/PT)
BUTCH MYSTIQUE -- This winning documentary short, from Debra A. Wilson, explores what it means for women to be defined as "butch."
BUTCH MYSTIQUE -- This winning documentary short, from Debra A. Wilson, explores what it means for women to be defined as "butch."
8:35 PM (ET/PT)
PIE CHI - In this short, from filmmaker Christopher Grant, a vegan bakery chef, who is harassed by one of his competitors, eventually seeks revenge.
PIE CHI - In this short, from filmmaker Christopher Grant, a vegan bakery chef, who is harassed by one of his competitors, eventually seeks revenge.
8:45 PM (ET/PT)
STONE MANSION - A Black middle class couple struggles to keep their home intact as riots ensue following an accusation of a white woman being raped. The backdrop for this film, from JJ Goldberger, centers on the 1920's Tulsa, Oklahoma riots.
STONE MANSION - A Black middle class couple struggles to keep their home intact as riots ensue following an accusation of a white woman being raped. The backdrop for this film, from JJ Goldberger, centers on the 1920's Tulsa, Oklahoma riots.
9:05 PM (ET/PT)
THE SLOWDOWN - In this film, directed by Leon Lozano, a female rapper fears she has contracted AIDS.
9:30 PM (ET/PT)THE SLOWDOWN - In this film, directed by Leon Lozano, a female rapper fears she has contracted AIDS.
LAND OF THE FREE - In this film from last year's grant winner Edford Banuel, in the aftermath of 9/11, an Arab-American man finds himself the victim of a hate crime which leads to murder. His only hope is an attorney who has limited time and evidence to build a case.
