Award-Winning documentary, Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election, set for release on DVD/VHS June 24th from Shout! Factory.

The film the White House doesnt want you to see/Controversial festival winner continues to generate excitement as 2004 election approaches; Consumer DVD edition contains forty minutes of additional footage

Contact: Alisse Kingsley/Rachel Dierks   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Muse Media                     
818) 506-7905

"A powerful piece of agitprop filmmaking seemingly designed to re-ignite a fire under Democrats and perhaps make Republicans take an honest look at their partys actions"
--Variety

AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY, UNPRECEDENTED: THE 2000 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, SET FOR RELEASE ON DVD/VHS JUNE 24TH FROM SHOUT! FACTORY

The film the White House doesnt want you to see/Controversial festival winner continues to generate excitement as 2004 election approaches; Consumer DVD edition contains forty minutes of additional footage

Los Angeles, CA. "Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election" is the ground breaking documentary of the notorious race for the presidency in 2000, when George W. Bush was elected President amongst scandal and controversy. A riveting and disturbing look at the undermining of democracy in America "Unprecedented" will be released on DVD/VHS by Shout! Factory on June 24th and the DVD contains forty minutes of updated film footage not seen in "Unprecedenteds" theatrical release
   
In "Unprecedented", filmmakers Richard Ray Pérez and Joan Sekler bring to light the injustices, foul play, and mischievous tactics used by the Republican Party to ensure the election of George W. Bush. Pérez and Sekler present undisputed facts, interviews with key players close to the election and a true and accurate portrayal of the shenanigans (corruption) that took place in the state of Florida, and what emerges is a disturbing picture of an election marred by suspicious irregularities, electoral injustices, and sinister voter purges in a state governed by the winning candidates brother. Bonus footage exclusive to the retail DVD release includes an interview with Gore Vidal, more information on the voter purge and negligent media and a section on organizing for democracy, as well as critical perspectives on the election crisis. As a sidebar, it is interesting to note that "Unprecedented" is being translated into Spanish for wide release in Hispanic theatrical and television markets.
   
Amongst the issues brought to light in "Unprecedented" is the unheard of discrimination at the voting polls which African-Americans in Florida encountered as thousands of them were purposely included on a statewide felon purge list and denied their right to vote. This Republican strategy was intended to suppress the democratic vote since 93 percent of African Americans are registered Democrats. In another disturbing issue, more than 175,000 ballots were uncounted by Floridas voting machines and no complete hand recount was ever conducted. It was only a year later, when a consortium of U.S. media organizations published results of an exhaustive examination of these unread ballots, that the conclusion was reached that Al Gore received more votes and would have been the forty-third president of the United States.
   
"Unprecedented" features interviews with many witnesses to the undemocratic practices and the rise of corporate dominance in elections that occurred in 2000. The actions of key players Jeb Bush and Katherine Harris are closely examined, as are their ties and loyalties to the Bush campaign. Members of the NAACP, People for the American Way and numerous political representatives repeatedly describe the cut-throat mentality the Republican Party adopted in the race for the presidency before, during and after the election.
   
"Unprecedented" is the winner of the Grand Festival Award for documentary at the Berkeley Video and Film Festival, the Audience Documentary Award at the Sacramento Film and Music Festival and the Route 66 Award for best documentary feature at the Winslow International Film Festival. It was also chosen as an official selection at the AFI Film Festival, Austin Film Festival, Denver Film Festival, Vermont International Film Festival and the Festival Internacional del Nuevo Cine Latinoamericana. "Unprecedented" has already screened at 40 film festivals and will continue to screen at various festivals throughout 2003. It has screened in independent theatres around the U.S., has aired on television in Australia, and will soon air on satellite television in Europe.
   
Not since before the civil rights movement of the sixties have the personal rights of citizens been so blatantly denied and disregarded as in the 2000 Presidential election. "Unprecedented" is a play-by-play documentary of the events that led up to George W. Bush winning the presidency under questionable terms. Public information that was not highly promoted by the media is presented in a nonpartisan fashion, leaving the viewer to decide what happened to democracy in America.
   
Shout! Factory is a multi-platform integrated entertainment company that was started by Richard Foos-co-founder of Rhino Records, Bob Emmer-former Warner Music Group and Rhino executive and Garson Foos-former Rhino executive. It focuses on audio music catalog development and music-related home video/DVD projects and television properties. Conceived as a broad-based retro pop culture and entertainment label, Shout! Factory video and DVD projects range from live music and music documentary programs to offbeat special interest titles ranging from animation to sports content.

www.shoutfactory.com

Title: Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election
Selection # DVD 30154
Running Time: 90 mins.
Price: $19.98

For interviews, review copies and additional questions please contact Alisse Kingsley/Rachel Dierks at Muse Media, (818) 506-7905, e-mail AlissetheMuse@aol.com.