An Evening with Academy Award Winners
Barbara Trent & David Kasper
of
The Empowerment Project
www.empowermentproject.org
Saturday, October 18th, 7:00 PM
Frank & Jane Dorrel’s
3967 Shedd Terrace, Culver City 90232
See Clips from Their New Film in Progress
"SEIZING POWER"
&
PANAMA To IRAQ:
The Trajectory of US Militarism
(15-min. extra from the re-release of The Panama Deception)
$10 at the Door
Desserts and Drinks Will Be Served -
RSVP: 310-838-8131 - Email: Fdorrel@Addictedtowar.com
SEIZING POWER
Seizing Power, a work in progress, reveals how the United States is being transformed into an authoritarian system of government that views the rights of the individual as dispensable in favor of the security and power of the state. It shows how the civil rights of citizens are being systematically dismantled, as repressive measures are put into place to control dissidents and institute a system of autocratic executive control that contemptuously disregards the Constitution. It investigates illegal detention, torture and domestic surveillance committed and authorized by government officials, and explores the likelihood of war crimes prosecutions. Seizing Power is a clear warning of what lies ahead if the United States continues on the course its government is taking.
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Barbara Trent & David Kasper have made two of the very best documentaries I have ever seen.
They are The Panama Deception and Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair. You will be able to buy copies of these films at this event. You can read about them below.
THE PANAMA DECEPTION - Watch the trailer
A riveting Academy Award winning documentary, this special extended version is made all the more timely by recent U.S. invasions and the current "war on terror". THE PANAMA DECEPTION documents the untold story of the December 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama, the events which led to it, the excessive force used, the enormity of the death and destruction and the devastating aftermath.
Acclaimed filmmakers Barbara Trent and David Kasper uncover the real reasons for this internationally condemned attack, and reveal General Manuel Noriega’s longstanding relationship with the C.I.A., the D.E.A, and George Bush, Sr. Utilizing devastating footage, expert commentary and eyewitness testimony, the film shines a spotlight on this pivotal moment in U.S. history. Network news clips and media critics contribute to a staggering analysis of media control and self-censorship used to deceive the American public–a film hauntingly relevant today.
An example of documentary journalism at it’s best, THE PANAMA DECEPTION is "…tough, provocative, highly opinionated…an answer to the official United States Government line about the 1989 invasion of Panama." (The New York Times)
The Panama Deception was re-released early this year and new DVD Features include : Follow-up Interviews with filmmakers Barbara Trent and David Kasper. The Politics of Demonization and Fear; The Future of Panama and Latin America ; Panama to Iraq; The Trajectory of U.S. Militarism; Panama after the Invasion, with former Panamanian Diplomat Humberto Brown, Phyllis Bennis (Institute for Policy Studies), and former CIA analyst David MacMichael; Trailers from GoodFilms.org; A Resource Guide with live web links; Filmmakers Biographies.
Read more, Watch the trailer
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Coverup: Behind the Iran Contra Affair
Is the third feature-length documentary produced by the Empowerment Project.
The shadow government of assassins, arms dealers, drug smugglers, former CIA operatives and top US military personnel who were running foreign policy unaccountable to the public, revealing the Reagan/Bush administration’s plan to use FEMA to institute martial law and ultimately suspend the Constitution. Strikingly relevant to current events.
The film has won numerous awards and critical acclaim:
The Los Angeles Times calls Coverup "chillingly lucid and consistent." The Chicago Tribune says it is " Calm, coherent and persuasive.." while the Denver Post calls it "A challenging piece, very much worth seeing, no matter what your politics."
Coverup exposes several of the most disturbing chapters in the history of U.S. covert foreign policy. It presents a tale of politics, drugs, hostages, weapons, assassinations, covert operations and the ultimate plan to suspend the U.S.Constitution. Coverup was the first film to reveal the ‘October Surprise’ hostage deal (the Reagan/Bush campaigndeal with Iran to delay the release of the 52 American hostages until after the 1980 election), and is the only film which presents a comprehensive overview of the most important stories suppressed during the Iran Contra hearings. It is the only film that puts the entire Iran Contra affair into a meaningful political and historical context. The 1988 film is updated with information from recent court cases and events, reconfirming much of the material presented.
Coverup won the American Film & Video Association, Blue Ribbon Award for Best Documentary. Social Issues; National Education Film & Video Festival, Crystal Apple for Best Documentary, Social & Political Issues; Golden Hugo Best Independent Video, Chicago International Film Festival; the Prix Du Public for Best Documentary. Women’s International Film Festival (Films DC Femmes, Paris, France); Gold Award for Best Video Documentary, Philadelphia International Film Festival Int’l Assn. of Motion Pictures & TV Producers).
Coverup was released in theaters in 80 cities across the United States in 1988-89. It was the subject of 200 local radio shows and 150 newspaper articles, including reviews, news stories, and editorials. In almost every city where the film showed, the audience participated in a question and answer/discussion period following each screening, and a direct action organizing campaign. During the height of its theatrical release, Coverup was screening in 35 towns simultaneously, creating a venue for over 150 organizing meetings per week.
www.empowermentproject.org
