LOS ANGELES, April 26, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The compelling and powerful documentary "Their Eyes Were Dry" will be part of a special in-theater event that celebrates the lives and courage of heroic children as their innocence is held hostage by terrorists. An Evening of Reflection and Song featuring 'Their Eyes Were Dry' on Monday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. local time will also feature a mini-concert by "The Cantor's Assembly" commemorating Israel's Independence Day and the 37th anniversary of the Ma'alot Massacre. www.TheirEyesWereDry.com. Director Brandon Assanti is available for interviews.
Presented by NCM Fathom and The Machine Management, in association with the Consulate General of Israel, StandWithUs, and Jewish Life Television, An Evening of Reflection and Song featuring 'Their Eyes Were Dry' Fathom event will be broadcast to 250 movie theaters nationwide through NCM's exclusive Digital Broadcast Network. Tickets' are available at participating box offices and online at http://www.fathomevents.com/originals/event/theireyesweredry.aspx, which also includes theater locations and prices.
Shot on location in Israel, "Their Eyes Were Dry" is directed by Brandon Assanti and brings to light the Ma'alot Massacre, a historic event that took place on May15, 1974. The documentary offers a moving historical experience The film details the heart-wrenching story of the 1974 Ma'alot Massacre in Israel when 105 students were held hostage by Palestinian terrorists dressed as Israeli soldiers who infiltrated the Lebanese border and stormed into an Israeli elementary school in Ma'alot and it commemorates the lives and courage of these young people.
Filmmaker Brandon Assanti, now 24, grew up hearing stories of the young victims of the Ma'alot Massacre. At 19 years old, Brandon met with Ma'alot Mayor Shlomo Bohbot. During their discussions of this incident, Brandon decided to take the responsibility upon himself to give those silenced children a voice. Brandon spent time filming all across Israel in order to gather the necessary footage for his documentary.
"Children are born innocent. No matter the religion, culture, or background, children should never be the target," reflects Brandon Assanti. "The driving force for this project has been the constant awareness that even today, children globally are being caught in a crossfire."
As a key part of the event, the mini-concert will showcase several of the nation's top Cantors included in the recent showing of "100 Voices: A Journey Home:" Hazzan Alberto Mizrahi, Hazzan Jacob Mendelson, Hazzan David Propis, Hazzan Nathan Lam, Hazzan Faith Steinsnyder, and Hazzan Rebecca Carmi. From the creative team of Danny Gold and Matthew Asner who directed and produced "100 Voices: A Journey Home," Israel was built on the sacrifices of soldiers and civilian victims of terror. So this is about reflection and song."
"An Evening of Reflection and Song featuring 'Their Eyes Were Dry' will touch viewers of all cultures and generations as they experience the realities of terrorism and human nature in this moving documentary and celebration of these brave children during this special in-theater Fathom event," said Dan Diamond, VP of NCM Fathom.
For Stills and Press Kit https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1093909399/fc802a4dafda87d4d7286492dd9fd54b
Cheri Warner
Weissman/Markovitz Communications
(818) 760-8995
cheri@publicity4all.com
Michelle Portillo
NCM Fathom
(303) 792-8651
michelle.portillo@ncm.com
About National CineMedia (NCM)
NCM operates NCM Media Networks, a leading integrated media company reaching U.S. consumers in movie theaters, online and through mobile technology. The NCM Cinema Network and NCM Fathom present cinema advertising and events across the nation's largest digital in-theater network, comprised of theaters owned by AMC Entertainment Inc., Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK), Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) and other leading regional theater circuits. NCM's theater advertising network covers 170 Designated Market Areas® (49 of the top 50) and includes approximately 17,300 screens (16,000 digital). During 2010, over 675 million patrons attended movies shown in theaters currently included in NCM's network (including Consolidated Theatres, Rave Cinemas and R/C Theatres). The NCM Fathom Events broadcast network is comprised of over 600 locations in 162 Designated Market Areas® (all of the top 50). The NCM Interactive Network offers 360-degree integrated marketing opportunities in combination with cinema, encompassing 43 entertainment-related websites, online widgets and mobile applications. National CineMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ: NCMI) owns a 48.5% interest in and is the managing member of National CineMedia LLC. For more information, visit www.nationalcinemedia.com or www.ncm.com. ; (NCMI-F)
About The Movie Machine
The Movie Machine is a one-stop full-service literary management organization and motion picture production company, delivering a full array of development, sales, marketing and promotion, producing, licensing, and merchandising services for writers and artists. Hollywood needs talent and experienced in all facets of the entertainment industry . www.themoviemachine.com
About StandWithUs
(SWU) is a ten year-old, international, non-profit Israel education organization that ensures that Israel's side of the story is told on campuses, communities, libraries, schools and in the media. SWU hosts speakers, programs and conferences in cities around the world, takes missions to Israel, offers website resources and creates brochures and materials about Israel in a variety of languages and on a variety of topics, that are distributed globally.
Based in Los Angeles, the organization has chapters and offices across the U.S., Israel and the UK including New York, Chicago, Pacific Northwest, Detroit, Denver, Orange County (CA), Santa Cruz (CA), San Francisco and Davis (CA).
www.standwithus.com and http://www.twitter.com/StandWithUs and http://www.facebook.com/StandWithUs ;
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The following pictures are available for download:
| [Image] | Brother and Sister victims of terrorism in Ma'alot |
| [Image] | Director Brandon Assanti |