Three Original IFC NEWS Documentaries will Feature Rollins Exploring New Orleans, Northern Ireland and South Africa
Documentary Style Specials Premiere in October on IFC’s IFC Free On Demand Platform
New York, NY – May 19, 2008 – IFC, the first and only network dedicated to independent film and related programming, announced an IFC NEWS programming event featuring singer, actor, author, and talk show host Henry Rollins. Premiering in November, IFC NEWS will present Henry Rollins: Uncut, a series of three original IFC NEWS documentary specials featuring Rollins exploring the political and cultural issues of three of the world’s most troubled and controversial locales-New Orleans, Northern Ireland and South Africa. The hour-long specials expand on the network’s growing IFC NEWS division, which covers issues and events that encompass not only film, but also popular and political culture.
IFC’s long relationship with Rollins began, in 2005, when the network debuted Henry’s Film Corner, a monthly movie review show. The series’ first season garnered critical acclaim and was renewed for a second season under an expanded format and a new name, The Henry Rollins Show. Rollins’ weekly series took an uncensored approach to late-night programming, featuring raw discussions on politics, world affairs, religion and pop culture. IFC kicked off the series’ 2007 season with Henry Rollins: Uncut from Israel, which captured Rollins’ tour around a politically-charged Jerusalem.
"Following the success of Henry Rollins: Uncut from Israel, this new, and uncensored Uncut series will allow one of the most important voices from independent culture to provide a real perspective on compelling issues from around the world," stated Debbie DeMontreux, SVP of Original Programming for IFC. "Viewers have embraced Rollins’ brilliant balance of attitude, humor, angst and intellect, and we are thrilled to work with him again. Through our IFC NEWS division, IFC continues to make relevant stories and current events accessible to our audience, and these three specials are representative of that commitment."
The Henry Rollins: Uncut series will couple Rollins’ own brand of humor and intensity with thought-provoking commentary to boldly explore the unique political and cultural realities of each region. The following are details about each IFC NEWS original documentary:
UNCUT FROM NEW ORLEANS
Although certain areas of New Orleans have been rebuilt since Hurricane Katrina hit, the city is still in turmoil and it will take many more years for it to fully recover. Among those leading the charge to revive this great city are the celebrities and musicians who have made New Orleans their home. Rollins will explore the city, which, despite financial deprivation, remains rich in artistic value.
UNCUT FROM NORTHERN IRELAND (Belfast)
For most of the last century, Northern Ireland has been at the center of a civil war. Although a peace treaty is in place, the country remains divided among Republican Catholics and Loyalist Protestants with no moral resolution in sight. Rollins’ onstage performance garners some hearty laughs from the people of Belfast, and they are equally as excited to share their hopes of peace when Rollins takes to the streets for one-on-one discussions with the city’s residents. Through interviews with locals and former IRA militia men, civil rights leaders and top politicians from both sides of the conflict, Rollins discovers that, contrary to what the world may think, Northern Ireland wants to be at peace. Throughout this special, Rollins draws parallels to what is occurring in the Middle East and questions whether Northern Ireland, despite its lingering tension, could serve as a model for peace in that part of the world.
UNCUT FROM SOUTH AFRICA
To many, South Africa is a geographical representation of the world’s historical struggle with race relations. To others, it is a dying nation with one in five adults infected with HIV and over 1,000 deaths each day. Following his performance at a major university, Rollins closely examines both the beauty and pain of this country first-hand. Combined with the reflective narration of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Rollins explores the nations’ ghettos, the former prison cell of Nelson Mandela and he uncovers the strength of anti-apartheid music. Throughout his experience, Rollins learns that while South Africa is actually a nation in progress, the destitution and lack of education for certain ethnic and religious groups is an ongoing tragedy.
The IFC News specials with Henry Rollins are executive produced by IFC’s Christine Lubrano, Debbie DeMontreux and Evan Shapiro, and produced by Swift River Productions.
Rollins first gained fame as lead singer for the band Black Flag in 1981. When the band broke up in 1986, Rollins formed the Rollins Band, with which he has been making records and touring the world ever since. Rollins also owns a publishing company, 2-13-61, which has released more than a dozen books, several CDs and DVDs by Rollins and others. Always outspoken, Rollins accepts dozens of speaking engagements throughout the year and is known for bringing a raw energy to his talks. He has performed in several movies and television shows, and has won a Grammy Award for best spoken word record. Rollins also hosts the weekly radio show "Harmony In My Head" on Indie 103.1 FM in Los Angeles and travels on behalf of the USO to entertain troops in far flung locales such as Afghanistan, Siberia, South Korea, Iraq, Kuwait, Honduras and Qatar. Most recently, Rollins just wrapped up his nine month long Provoked world tour and is currently planning an as yet unnamed US tour to coincide with election season ’08.
About IFC
IFC (The Independent Film Channel) is the first and only network dedicated to independent film and related programming, 24 hours a day, uncut and uncensored. Operating under the mantra ’always, uncut,’ IFC presents feature-length films, "cult classics," thought-provoking original documentaries such as At the Death House Door and This Film Is Not Yet Rated, shorts, animated series, exclusive web series, and television’s most comprehensive independent film library. The network also offers some of the most innovative and edgy original series on television, including the sketch comedy "The Whitest Kids U’ Know." Providing a voice for independent thought not found anywhere else on television, IFC broadens the audience for independent film and supports the independent film community through its exclusive live coverage of notable film events like the Independent Spirit Awards. The network’s On Demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of all of IFC’s original series in HD before they air on the linear network. IFC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through its IFC Entertainment division, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a theatrical feature film distribution company; IFC First Take/IFC in Theaters, a day and date theatrical feature film/VOD initiative; the IFC Center in New York City; IFC Productions, a feature film production company; and IFC Entertainment, which owns and operates a film library. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company, and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.