What Happened to Freedom of Speech?

    LOS ANGELES, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- It's a movie that Ferris Bueller
 would take the day off to go see. What freedom-loving student wouldn't be
 outraged to discover that his high school science teacher is teaching a
 theory as indisputable fact, and that university professors unmercifully
 crush any fellow scientists who dare question the prevailing system of
 belief? This isn't the latest Hollywood comedy; it's a disturbing new
 documentary that will shock anyone who thinks all scientists are free to
 follow the evidence wherever it may lead.
     (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070822/CLW037 )
     Produced by Premise Media, Expelled, in theaters February 2008, is
 being marketed by Motive Entertainment, the company that has spearheaded
 significant Hollywood blockbusters, including The Passion of the Christ,
 Polar Express and The Chronicles of Narnia. Rocky Mountain Pictures, an
 established distribution company, which has enjoyed numerous box-office
 successes, will distribute the film.
     Ben Stein, the lovable, monotone teacher from Ferris Bueller's Day Off
 and The Wonder Years is on a journey to answer one of the biggest questions
 ever asked: Were we designed or are we simply the end result of an ancient
 mud puddle struck by lightning? Stein, who is also a lawyer, an economist,
 a former presidential speechwriter, author and social commentator, is
 stunned by what he finds on his journey. He discovers an elitist scientific
 establishment that has traded in its skepticism for dogma. But even worse,
 along the way, Stein uncovers a long line of biologists, astronomers,
 chemists and philosophers who have had their reputations destroyed and
 their careers ruined by a scientific establishment that allows absolutely
 no dissent from Charles Darwin's theory of random mutation and natural
 selection.
     "Big Science in this area of biology has lost its way," says Stein.
 "Scientists are supposed to be allowed to follow the evidence wherever it
 may lead, no matter what the implications are. Freedom of inquiry has been
 greatly compromised, and this is not only anti-American, it's anti-science.
 It's anti-the whole concept of learning."
     Expelled uncovers that educators and scientists are being ridiculed,
 denied tenure and even fired in some cases for the fact that they believe
 there is evidence of "design" in nature, challenging the idea that life is
 a result of random chance. For example, Stein meets Richard Sternberg, a
 double PhD biologist who allowed a peer-reviewed research paper describing
 the evidence for intelligence in the universe to be published in the
 scientific journal Proceedings. Not long after publication, officials from
 the National Center for Science Education and the Smithsonian Institution
 where Sternberg was a research fellow began a coordinated smear and
 intimidation campaign to get the promising young scientist expelled from
 his position. This attack on scientific freedom was so egregious that it
 prompted a congressional investigation.
     On his journey, Stein meets other scientists such as astrobiologist
 Guillermo Gonzalez, who was denied tenure at Iowa State University in spite
 of his extraordinary record of achievement. Gonzalez made the mistake of
 documenting the design he has observed in the universe. There are others,
 such as Caroline Crocker, a brilliant biology teacher at George Mason
 University who was forced out of the university for briefly discussing
 problems with Darwinian theory and for telling the students that some
 scientists believe there is evidence of design in the universe. The list
 goes on and on.
     Unlike some other documentary films, Expelled doesn't just talk to
 people representing one side of the story. The film confronts scientists
 such as Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, influential biologist
 and atheist blogger PZ Myers and Eugenie Scott, head of the National Center
 for Science Education. The creators of Expelled crossed the globe over a
 two-year period, interviewing scores of scientists, doctors, philosophers
 and public leaders. The result is a startling revelation that freedom of
 thought and freedom of inquiry have been expelled from publicly-funded high
 schools, universities and research institutions.
     "The incredible thing about Expelled is that we don't resort to
 manipulating our interviews for the purpose of achieving the 'shock
 effect,' something that has become common in documentary film these days,"
 said Walt Ruloff, co-founder of Premise Media and co-Executive Producer.
 "People will be stunned to actually find out what elitist scientists
 proclaim, which is that a large majority of Americans are simpletons who
 believe in a fairy tale. Premise Media took on this difficult mission
 because we believe the greatest asset of humanity is our freedom to explore
 and discover truth."
     The extensive grass roots campaign for Expelled, spearheaded by Motive
 Entertainment president, Paul Lauer, will include nationwide screenings and
 endorsements with key leaders, promotional materials, a promotional
 resource DVD, publicity, radio promotions and Internet. In addition, a
 pre-launch campaign will include unprecedented partnerships and a
 widespread campaign together with educators, youth, scientists, families
 and the media nationwide.
     Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is scheduled for release in February
 2008. For more information on Ben Stein's journey visit
 www.expelledthemovie.com.
     About Premise Media: Premise Media Corporation develops, finances and
 produces independent films, books and DVD's for the domestic and
 international marketplace, "Producing world class media that stirs the
 heart and inspires the mind to truth, purpose and hope." Company principals
 and producers Logan Craft and Walt Ruloff can be contacted via its website
 (www.premisemedia.com).
     About Motive Entertainment: Los Angeles-based Motive Entertainment,
 which directed the grassroots marketing campaigns for Mel Gibson's The
 Passion of the Christ, the Tom Hanks/Robert Zemeckis film Polar Express and
 the record- breaking Walden Media/Disney epic series, The Chronicles of
 Narnia, is a leading company in film and entertainment marketing
 (www.motivemarketing.biz).
     About Rocky Mountain Pictures: Specializing in the independent motion
 picture industry, Rocky Mountain Pictures provides full-service theatrical
 film distribution including strategic marketing development. Principal
 partners Ron Rodgers and Randy Slaughter each have more than 35 years of
 theatrical distribution and marketing experience, having previously served
 in executive positions with some of the largest and most profitable
 independent production and distribution companies in the U.S.
 (www.rockymtnpictures.com).
     For interview opportunities contact:
     Lesley Burbridge-Bates
     Motive Entertainment
     (615) 321-6400
     lesley@motivemarketing.biz
 
 

SOURCE Premise Media Corporation