The Burning Season premieres on Canadian television at 10pm on Monday 6 October 2008 on CBC. You can view the CBC's web page at http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/passionateeyemonday/2008/burningseason/
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September 2008
September 27, 2008
September 26, 2008
The Burning Season’s Director visits NYC, Washington DC, and meets Al Gore
Cathy Henkel travelled to the USA in September 2008 to tussle with some heavy hitters: the UN, the World Bank, international distributors, sales agents, and Al Gore.
Cathy's first stop was the office of Ambassador Robert Hill, Australia’s representative to the UN. Mr Hill knows about Dorjee and the Indonesian project, (he is a former Howard government Minister for the Environment) and was impressed by the humanitarian appeal of the documentary. He suggested ways that the UN might be able to support the film and could prove to be a powerful ally in future.
Whilst in New York, Cathy attended the events held for the IFP’s independent film market, “No Borders”, speaking to several distributors and sales agents who can bring 'The Burning Season' to cinema audiences.
She also took a train to Washington DC for the World Bank screening of the film; afterwards, she sent us this report:
“The screening of ‘‘The Burning Season’’ at the World Bank in Washington was the closing item of the Global Forest Leaders Forum attended by 120 people from across the globe. The film had a very appreciative audience including a sizable number of Indonesian delegates, followed by a lively Q & A afterwards. Many people know of Dorjee and the Aceh project. He has a high profile - and good reputation - in this sector.The most significant outcome of this screening was identifying a champion from within the Bank. She works within the PR and marketing department and is very enthusiastic about the film and is going to show the DVD to some of the executives who couldn't attend the screening. She’s also looking into ways the Bank can support and finance the distribution of the film more widely in Indonesia and in Brazil.
Joe Leitmann, the host of today's event and the World Bank's Environment Co-ordinator in Indonesia, has offered to put on a screening of the film in Jakarta in late November / early December. He will invite the President, Forestry Minister and other 'people of influence'.
Cathy Celebrates at (our faithful supporter) Barry's apartment in NYC"New York is once again living up to its reputation. The spring weather is heavenly. I've been to Independent Filmmakers Conference events every day, and met some inspiring and aligned people. The response to ‘‘The Burning Season’’ is so exciting and positive. I am here to find US partners for our global distribution plan and the vision in my head is starting to look viable and do-able. Tomorrow I am meeting two distributors and next week I go to Vancouver to meet a sales agent.
The sound of sirens and barking dogs floats through my window and it is almost midnight. There is a buzz that never stops in this city. I feel as if I am powered by an energy that comes from somewhere beyond my understanding. This is a very humbling and expanding time for me, and I am just allowing myself to flow with the current… ”
Cathy’s next inspiring update came after she attended a high-level forest protection event at the Yale Club, just across the road from Grand Central in New York City…
“This was a good day. Mission accomplished. I personally handed a copy of ‘The Burning Season’ to Al Gore today at the Yale Club. He was the guest at a luncheon for about 120 leaders of the forest protection movement. He told me he would watch it with great interest. As he left the meeting, I saw he still had the film in his hand.The other featured guest was the Nobel Laureate, Wangari Maathai from Kenya, founder of the Green Belt Movement. I had the opportunity of speaking to her. She really understands the urgency and importance of the film and is keen to see a copy. She knows Dorjee and thinks highly of him. Kevin Conrad, a hero of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bali, was also at the lunch and is very positive about the film and its importance to this campaign.
After the lunch, there was a Roundtable on Strategies for Advancing International Forestry Protection. Abyd Karmali (Global head of Carbon Emissions, Merrill Lynch) and Dorjee Sun both spoke at this event and mentioned the film, and I had a lot of interest from delegates afterwards. I have a bunch of business cards from high profile leaders in this field (including the President of Guyana!), who are very keen to see the film.
Dorjee Sun, Guyanan President Bharrat Jagdeo, Cathy Henkel.I am meeting with Dorjee and Abyd tomorrow morning to record an update on the Aceh project and the changes that have occurred including the buyout of Merrill Lynch by the Bank of America.
As I said, this was a good day.”
Cathy’s final post came from Vancouver.
“I had a very productive meeting today with Rob Straight, President of Horizon Motion Pictures in Vancouver, and he officially offered to manage the global cinema and DVD distribution of ‘The Burning Season’.Horizon managed the global distribution of 'Sharkwater' which was released in cinemas in over 20 countries, including a very vibrant cinema release in Australia.
More about Horizon Motion Pictures at www.horizonmotionpictures.com
I head back to Australia on the weekend to begin the publicity for the October 14th ABC broadcast of ‘The Burning Season’.
- Cathy.”
