From Ground Zero to the Amish countryside, featuring Nobel
Laureate Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Tich Nhat Hanh, best-selling authors
Thomas Moore and Marianne Williamson, the Reverend James Forges and others, The Power of Forgiveness explores this
mysterious “emotion” and reveals how forgiveness might transform one’s life.
Produced and Directed by Martin
Doblmeier (Bonhoeffer, Final Blessing)
Presented
by South Carolina ETV & Distributed by APT
(Exchange)
NOLA
Code:
POFO 000 SD-Base Revision 001
Feed: Sunday, March 9, 2008, 1400-1500ET /511 In Time for
Easter and Passover
Analog: 6 Releases/3
Years Digital: Unlimited
Releases/3 Years From March 9, 2008 - March 8, 2011
SD Letterbox
Programmers will receive Preview
DVD’s early in January
South Carolina ETV and Journey Films are proud to present The
Power of Forgivenessto public television stations across America. This one-hour documentary explores the
mysterious phenomenon of “forgiveness” that some disparage as weakness or impossible
while others equate with health and peace of mind. Through compelling stories and interviews
with renowned experts on both sides of the idea, the program takes an honest
look at the intensity of anger and grief that humans can experience, as it examines
the role that forgiveness might play in alleviating their despair. It features the Amish response of love and
understanding in the wake of the school shootings and the wide-ranging
responses to 9/11 from hatred and calls for retribution to understanding and
absolution.
The
Power of Forgiveness includes
stories from Northern Ireland, Ground Zero and the Amish countryside as well as
interviews with people representing many traditions, including Buddhist teacher
Thich Nhat Hanh, Jewish Nobel
Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel,
Muslim Azim Khamisa, New York’s
Riverside Church’s Rev. James Forbes, best-selling
author Thomas Moore (Care of the Soul), and Marianne
Williamson. Elie Wiesel, a survivor of Auschwitz, and many of the “victims” portrayed provide
compelling testimony for one view on the subject of forgiveness: “Forgive
them...never.” On the other hand, Thomas
Moore, Rev. James Forbes, and Thich Nhat Hanh offer another possibility, while
cautioning viewers “not to pretend” and that “this is not always easy.” When forgiveness is possible, however, these
proponents of forgiveness tell amazing stories about people who have forgiven
unspeakable crimes and reveal the benefits they have received.
The
Power of Forgivenessincludes
research about the physical, mental and spiritual advantages of forgiving, as
we hear from doctors, psychologists and psychotherapists presenting its measurable
benefits and the hidden costs of holding on to anger and revenge. The
documentary demonstrates ways to include forgiveness training in schools and
other programs for children, teachers and victims and their families. It shows an
audacious attempt by some families who lost loved ones on 9/11 try to build a Garden of Forgiveness at Ground Zero (which, if it were to ever be built
is a long way off—it actually can be built only in Lebanon at this time).
A
comprehensive national outreach effort will support The Power of Forgiveness. The
website (www.journeyfilms.com) has a section on
“Forgiveness Community Conversations” containing tips and other resources for
educators and other users. Seven public
television stations have been involved with the campaign from the outset
including: MPT, Maryland; KETC, St. Louis; KPBS, San Diego; WTVI, Charlotte,
NC; WGVU, Grand Rapids; WXXI, Rochester,
NY; KEET, Eureka, CA. Special screenings with the director have
been held in such places as Washington National Cathedral, the United Nations,
and Virginia Tech, with additional showings in New York, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Cincinnati and elsewhere. The average attendance has been 350 persons. Additional screenings are in the works.
A companion book, The Power of Forgiveness, is being released by Fortress Press. It is
written by former New York Times
religion editor, Kenneth Briggs. Major
national promotion is already underway for both the film and the book.
The
Power of Forgiveness is produced by Journey
Films of Alexandria, VA. Producer/Director is Martin Doblmeier and the producers
are Dan Juday and Adele Schmidt, who is also the editor. The program is underwritten by The Fetzer
Institute as part of its Campaign for Love and Forgiveness and The John
Templeton Foundation. Local underwriting is
permissible. It is distributed as a free offer to public television
stations by American Public Television (Exchange), which feeds it Sunday,
March 9, 2008,
1400-1500ET /511 ET /511.
Please
contact me if you have questions.
Programmers will receive a preview DVD early in January. Please let me know if it does not arrive. I will be in touch with you during January and February
about your carriage plans. A fact sheet follows.
Very truly yours,
Regina
Eisenberg
R Eisenberg Presents, Inc.regina@reisenbergpresents.com 510.550.1706 2340 Powell Street, Suite 333, Emeryville, CA94608
Summary:
The Power of Forgiveness includes such
compelling stories as the remarkable response of the Amish to the recent school
shootings and the wide range of responses from hatred to forgiveness of people
impacted by the 9/11 tragedy, along with interviews with Nobel Peace Laureate
Elie Wiesel, renowned Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, and best-selling
authors Thomas Moore and Marianne Williamson. Featuring people who are
able to forgive and those who cannot, the documentary opens up this deeply
layered subject as it explores its complexities, the role it plays in various
faith traditions and how the scientific community now measures the physical and
mental benefits of letting go of grief and resentment.
Parts/Length:
1/60
Rights:
Analog: 6
releases/3 years
Digital: Unlimited
use/3 years
School use: 1 yr.
from each broadcast
NOLA
Code:
POFO 000 SD-Base
Revision 001
Feed:
Sunday, March 9, 2008, 1400-1500ET /511
Video:
SD Letterbox
Audio/Visual:
Stereo/Closed Captioned
DVI:
Yes
V-Chip Rating:
TV-G
Producer:
Journey Films, Alexandria, VA
Producer/Director,
Martin Doblmeier
Producers, Dan Juday
and Adele Schmidt
Editor, Adele Schmidt.
Presenter:
South Carolina
ETV
Broadcast Distributor:
A Free Offer from
American Public Television (APT), APT Exchange
Underwriters:
The Fetzer
Institute as part of its Campaign for Love and Forgiveness and The John
Templeton Foundation
Local Underwriting:
Local underwriting is
permissible
Companion BookThe Power of Forgiveness, released by Fortress Press and written by
former New York Times religion
editor, Kenneth Briggs. Major national
promotion is already underway for both the film and the book.
Outreach:
The website (www.journeyfilms.com) has a section on
“Forgiveness Community Conversations” containing tips and other resources for
educators and other users. Special screenings have been held in such places as
Washington National Cathedral, the United Nations and Virginia Tech and in
cities across the country including New York, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Orlando, Ft. Lauderdale, Cincinnati and others.
Additional screenings are in the works.
From Ground Zero to the Amish countryside, featuring Nobel
Laureate Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Tich Nhat Hanh, best-selling authors
Thomas Moore and Marianne Williamson, the Reverend James Forges and others, The Power of Forgiveness explores this
mysterious “emotion” and reveals how forgiveness might transform one’s life.
R Eisenberg Presents, Inc.
