LOS ANGELES, CA -- 07/29/08 --
War and its impact on society have
historically been subject matter for powerful artistic expression.
Beginning August 17, Ovation TV, the only network devoted exclusively to
art, culture and personal creativity, will focus on how war has been
depicted across artistic disciplines and across the centuries with an
unprecedented programming event: "The Art of War."
"Coming on the eve of the national political conventions where the topic of
war will be front and center, the 'Art of War' will explore the myriad of
ways artists have attempted to deal with the subject," said Kris Slava,
Senior Vice President, Programming and Production, Ovation TV. "It is one
of the great pragmatic functions of art -- when weighty decisions have to
be made, human beings turn to art to distill insight, understanding and
even solace out of chaos and suffering. These programming selections are
certainly powerful examples of that function."
Included in the week's programming schedule are a number of
thought-provoking films and documentaries; some of which are classics and
others that are US premiere presentations. Here are a few highlights:
-- "War Oratorio" -- (US Premiere) Sunday, August 17, 8 p.m. ET,
9 p.m. PT. Shot in war-torn Afghanistan, Kashmir and Uganda,
this powerful music film is an artistic statement about the
globalization of warfare in the 21st century. Presented with
limited commercial interruptions.
-- "J.S. Bach in Auschwitz" -- Sunday, August 17, 9:30 p.m. ET,
10:30 p.m. PT. Michael Daeron's documentary interviews 11 of the 40
women prisoners who played in an orchestra in Auschwitz during the
Holocaust. These musicians were able to survive by playing for Nazi
officers and fellow prisoners.
-- "The Death of Klinghoffer" -- (Ovation TV Premiere) Monday, August 18,
8 p.m. ET/PT. From award-winning filmmaker Penny Woolcock, this is an
incredibly moving and original adaptation of John Adam's critically
acclaimed and controversial opera based around the hijacking of the
Achille Lauro cruise ship by Palestinian terrorists in 1985.
-- "Genius of Photography: Right Time, Right Place" -- Thursday, August
21, 9:00 p.m. ET/PT. Set against the backdrop of WWII and its
aftermath, this episode of the popular photography series examines
how photographers dealt with dramatic and tragic events like D-Day,
the Holocaust and Hiroshima.
-- Stanley Kubrick double feature -- Friday, August 22
* 10 p.m. ET is "Paths of Glory," a fact-based, absurdity-of-war film
starring Kirk Douglas as a commanding officer who defends three
scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within
the French Army in 1916.
* Midnight ET is "Full Metal Jacket" (Uncut and Uncensored). In
Kubrick's stunning critique of war, an 18-year-old Marine recruit
named Private Joker goes from boot camp to heavy fighting in Hue
during the 1968 Tet Offensive. Presented with limited commercial
interruptions.
In addition, OvationTV.com will feature the work of Zoriah, an
award-winning photojournalist who was embedded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Working with author and guest curator Lily G. Casura, OvationTV.com secured
permission from the photographer to include his blog posts and images on
how art helps to heal combat wounds and trauma for both veterans and
victims of war. Zoriah's work has been featured in some of the world's
most prestigious galleries, museums and publications. Ms. Casura is a
writer and editor with a passion for veterans' issues and she blogs
regularly on these topics on www.HealingCombatTrauma.com.
About Ovation TV:
Ovation TV entertains, inspires and engages the artist in all of us. The
24-hour channel is the only television network devoted exclusively to art,
culture, creativity and making the arts more accessible to viewers in their
daily lives. The network showcases the world's greatest artists in
theater, dance, opera, literature, film, visual and fine art, music,
design, photography and architecture. Ovation TV reaches a national
audience of more than 28 million households through its carriage on DirecTV
(channel 274), Dish Network (channel 157) and on cable systems in major
markets across the country. The channel has master distribution agreements
in place with major cable operators and telco distributors. Ovation TV
features original programming, a multi-platform content strategy and
partnerships with leading American performing and cultural arts
institutions and arts education organizations. Additional information is
available at www.OvationTV.com.
Contacts:
Mark Kern
323 936-1055
Email Contact
Patricia Frith
818 876-0480
Email Contact
