HOLLYWOOD, CA, Dec. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - The Political Film Society in Hollywood has nominated the feature film "Punctured Hope" for two awards in the categories of 'best film expose' and 'best film on human rights' of 2009.

The Political Film Society, founded by Professor Emeritus/Writer Michael Haas, was formed in 1986 to honor outstanding films that raise the political consciousness of the film viewing public. The Political Film Society exists to recognize outstanding achievement in raising political consciousness. Courageous film directors are given awards as a way of encouraging the film industry to make the public more aware of political realities.

Each year, films that best promote political consciousness are selected in four categories - democracy, expose, human rights, and peace.

Since 1986, a short list of films nominated for this prestigious award include:

        The Accused
        Good Morning, Vietnam
        Mississippi Burning
        Born on the Fourth of July
        Driving Miss Daisy
        City of Hope
        J.F.K.
        Hoffa
        The Last of the Mohicans
        Midnight Express
        Schindler's List
        L.A. Confidential
        Saving Private Ryan
        Fight Club
        Boys Don't Cry
        Erin Brockovich
        Hotel Rwanda
        The Constant Gardener
        The Queen
        Babel
        Blood Diamond
        The Last King of Scotland

"It is really an honor to have one of my films nominated by the Political Film Society and in the important categories of Best Film Expose and Best Film on Human Rights. I have started out in this business, with Nobel Prize Winner Dario Fo and I think that, after my many years and obvious dedication to certain social issues, I can say that this nomination represents one of the highest achievements of my life. I want that the rights of women and children are respected. I want to fight intellectual pollution, stupidity, racism and discrimination. I want to show that nonviolent film can be commercially viable and it can help to make a better world. We, as a company, want to win the fight against ignorance and bigotry. I want to use film as an artistic weapon to improve the lifestyle and mentality of the viewers, to make their life better and to make them think in a positive way about major social problems that anguish our world today. Our CAUSE is driven by high ideals and it is more important than anyone of us. It is a new world; it is time for a new morality!" - Director Bruno Pischiutta

PUNCTURED HOPE, an Adhara Properties production, is being released theatrically by Toronto Pictures. It has been screening at the Laemmle Monica 4-plex Theater (1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica, 90401) since December 18. Additional screenings: 11:00 AM on Saturday December 26 and Sunday December 27.

To purchase advance tickets, please go to: http://www.laemmle.com/viewmovie.php?mid=5394

(Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the show at the theater box office).

Academy Members are welcome to attend and they can RSVP at (1) 647-296-3459.

About the POLITICAL FILM SOCIETY: The Political Film Society was formed at Honolulu in 1986. The Political Film Society, headquartered in Hollywood since 1998, exists to recognize outstanding achievement in raising political consciousness. Courageous film directors are given awards as a way of encouraging the film industry to make the public more aware of political realities.

About MICHAEL HAAS: Michael Haas started the Political Film Society as a way to recognize outstanding achievement in raising political consciousness. Haas lived in Hollywood during the 1950s, when politically aware filmmakers were blacklisted. Mr. Haas is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Hawaii and the Chairman of the International Academic Advisory Board of the University of Cambodia. He played a role in stopping the secret funding of the Khmer Rouge by the administration of President George H. W. Bush. He has taught political science at the University of London, Northwestern University, Purdue University, and the University of California, Riverside. He is the author or editor of 33 books on human rights, including International Human Rights (2008), International Human Rights in Jeopardy (2004), The Politics of Human Rights (2000), Improving Human Rights (Praeger, 1994), and Genocide by Proxy (Praeger, 1991).

About PUNCTURED HOPE: "PUNCTURED HOPE - A STORY ABOUT TROKOSI AND YOUNG GIRLS' SLAVERY IN TODAY'S WEST AFRICA" is the first mainstream feature film (USD 5.8 M, Hollywood standard, 35 mm, 91 min., English Language, Color, NR) that is based on an African story, interpreted by an all-African cast of professional actors and shot in Africa, under the direction of visionary Maestro Bruno Pischiutta.

http://www.youtube.com/TorontoPictures

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0994395

A Company with a conscience - About Toronto Pictures (PINK: TTOPF): Targeting a global audience, Toronto Pictures explores different cultures and addresses controversial issues of our time in a dramatic format. Toronto Pictures develops and releases Hollywood standard, 35 mm feature films that provoke thought, not violence.

http://www.torontopictures.com

About Bruno Pischiutta: Born in Udine, Italy in 1947, Bruno Pischiutta began his film career in the late 1960s as an actor in films by Francesco Rosi, Nanni Loy and Billy Wilder. In 1975 he founded the Centro Iniziative di Azione Culturale in Rome. He made his directorial debut in 1975 with COMPAGNE NUDE, and he moved to Canada in 1983. His other films include ULTIMO INCONTRO A VENEZIA (1977), ISOLA MECCANICA (1978), THE COMOEDIA (1981), LIFE'S CHARADE (1987), MAYBE (2003). For more info: http://www.editurl.com/3e7

SOURCE Toronto Pictures Inc.

Back to top