From the Filmmakers Behind the Oscar® Winning Film An Inconvenient Truth, Comes an Engaging, Inspiring and Provocative Look at Public Education and the Extraordinary People Working to Change It: Waiting for 'Superman'

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Academy Award®-winning director Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) delivers another provocative film experience with his compelling and inspirational examination of American public education in WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN", arriving on Blu-ray and DVD February 15, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment.  Named the Best Documentary of the year by the National Board of Review, and cited by the American Film Institute as one of the year's best movies, WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" was called "an electrifying call to action" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), and has launched a movement to achieve real and lasting change in the nation's schools.  The film depicts the moving and poignant struggles of real-life students and their families and the efforts of educators and reformers who are working to find viable solutions within a dysfunctional system.  A stirring, must-see clarion call that has left audiences inspired and motivated to make a difference, WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" is truly "a powerful, passionate, revolution-inducing documentary" (Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly).  

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101223/LA21688)

WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" is a Paramount Pictures release of a Participant Media presentation in association with Walden Media.  The film is written by Davis Guggenheim & Billy Kimball.

"I think that every kid, no matter where they are born or what they have been given in life, deserves a great education and a piece of the American dream.  The idea of education reform becomes a lot less abstract and a lot more compelling when you see these beautiful kids and realize all their potential," said director Davis Guggenheim.  "Now there are reformers out there who are defying the odds and proving it's entirely possible to create outstanding schools even in the most troubled neighborhoods.  That's what drove me to tell this story and to make this movie."

"Even if you don't have kids, you should care about public education," said Lesley Chilcott, producer of WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN".  "If we want to solve global warming, poverty, health care and the economy, we need to have an educated society.  Education is ground zero for tackling all these issues."

In addition to the inspirational film, the Blu-ray and DVD feature four additional stories of real students and teachers, commentary by Davis Guggenheim and Lesley Chilcott, a conversation with Davis Guggenheim, the making of John Legend's original song "Shine", which was composed specifically for the film, a look at what's changed in education since the movie was filmed and more.  

DonorsChoose.org & Get Schooled Donation Programs

As part of an effort to assist viewers in finding a way to make a difference in public schools across the country, DonorsChoose.org will give consumers a $25 credit for each WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" Blu-ray or DVD purchase that can be donated to any classroom project listed on DonorsChoose.org.  This generous donation exceeds the expected retail price of the DVD.  Consumers simply visit the website, select a project and then enter their unique code to make the donation.  

DonorsChoose.org was created in 2000 by a teacher who sensed that many people would like to help distressed public schools, but were frustrated by a lack of influence over their donations.  DonorsChoose.org allows people to help fund a specific project—all of which are submitted by real teachers and carefully vetted by the DonorsChoose.org team—based on the class location, the subject of the request, the level of poverty in the region or any other criteria they choose.  Once a project is fully funded by donations, DonorsChoose.org purchases the requested classroom materials and ships them directly to the school.  The recipients then provide photos of the project and thank you letters to the donors.

In addition, Paramount Home Entertainment will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" DVD and Blu-ray to Get Schooled, an independent non-profit organization founded by Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  Get Schooled uses the power of media and popular culture to motivate and inspire young people, their families and teachers to improve high school graduation rates and college-going rates.  It works in close partnership with principals of high-need high schools around the country.  To find out more, visit www.getschooled.com.

WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" Blu-ray &DVD

The WAITING FOR "SUPERMAN" Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Brazilian Portuguese subtitles.  The DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, Spanish 5.1 Surround and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The discs include the following special features, all of which are in HD on the Blu-ray:

• Changing the Odds - A poignant look into the challenges students and teachers have faced within the public school system and the successful programs that have been put in place to change the face of public education in the U.S.
• Updates—A look at what's changed in education since the movie was filmed
• A Conversation with Davis Guggenheim
• The Future is in Our Classrooms
• The Making of "Shine"
• Deleted Scenes—Four additional stories of real-life students and teachers
  • Keith and Tiffany
  • Locke High and Steve Barr
  • Bill Strickland
  • The Green Family
• Commentary by director Davis Guggenheim and producer Lesley Chilcott

About Paramount Home Entertainment

Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment.  PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands.  PHE is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Paramount Famous Productions, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

For artwork please visit: https://arc.paramount.com

SOURCE Paramount Home Entertainment