A PENGUIN TELEVISION & DAVID GRUBIN PRODUCTION
With Major Funding From PBS/CPB Challenge Fund Initiative
ALEXANDRIA VA, WASHINGTON DC & LONDON, ENGLAND (Oct 04, 2004) - With major funding from the CPB/PBS Challenge Fund, Penguin Television and David Grubin Productions announced today the production of DESTINATION AMERICA, a 4 x 60' history of immigration to the United States. The documentary is expected to air on PBS in Fall 2005.
DESTINATION AMERICA tells the history of worldwide immigration to America through the lens of specific freedoms that millions of immigrants have sought in the United States for nearly four centuries. The four episodes will trace America's roots as a nation of immigrants from the perspective of peoples seeking liberty - Freedom from Want, Freedom of Religion, Freedom to Create and Freedom for Women. Each episode will connect the history of U.S. immigration together with contemporary profiles of modern-day immigrants. More than 20 individual stories will be told from countries and regions as diverse as Russia, Taiwan, Mexico, Italy, Iran, Tibet, Norway, Guatemala and Central Europe.
The project has received significant funding from PBS and CPB through the Program Challenge Fund, with the balance of funding provided by Penguin Television.
"Immigrants the world over are inspired by our country's ideals," said CPB President and CEO, Kathleen Cox. "DESTINATION AMERICA redefines the meaning of the American Dream with stories that illustrate the diverse backgrounds and talents of those who seek opportunity here. This topic is perfect for public television and meets CPB's goal to serve diverse audiences."
"America is a nation of immigrants, and PBS is committed to telling the stories of our diverse country as a way to explore our past and our present," said John F. Wilson, Sr. Vice President, PBS Programming. "This series will add a new chapter to this rich history."
The project has completed principal photography on location in more than 15 countries and will be completed in early 2005. It will be accompanied by a major publishing event by Dorling Kindersley in the United States and in certain other international markets in Fall 2005.
Noted American actress Blair Brown will narrate the PBS release. Original music will be created by award-winning composer Michael Bacon.
About Penguin Television
Penguin Television is a contemporary independent television production company specialising in documentaries, children and lifestyle programming. Our catalogue contains more than 150 programme titles, produced in more than 80 languages and sold worldwide to more than 50 countries. Penguin Television is the TV production arm of Penguin Group, the world's best-known consumer publisher, and part of Pearson plc, the international media company based in London.
About David Grubin Productions
New York-based David Grubin Productions is headed by David Grubin, a producer, director, writer, and cinematographer who has won every major award in his field, including three George Foster Peabody awards, two Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University awards, and nine Emmys. As the president of DAVID GRUBIN PRODUCTIONS, INC, Mr. Grubin has produced over 100 films on subjects ranging from history to art, from poetry to science.
A member of the executive committee of the Society of American Historians, Grubin has received a Guggenheim Fellowship, has been a Montgomery Fellow at Dartmouth College, and is the recipient of an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Hamilton College. He is member of the Directors Guild and the Writers Guild, and is a former chairman of the board of directors of The Film Forum. His recently completed biography of Robert F. Kennedy will be aired on PBS in October 2004 as part of The American Experience series.
About PBS
PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise that serves the nation's 349 public noncommercial television stations, reaching nearly 90 million people each week. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is the leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of educational services for adult learners. PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (pbskids.org), continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, the leading dot-org Web site on the Internet. PBS is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.
About CPB
CPB, a private, non-profit corporation created by Congress in 1967, develops educational public radio, television and online services for the American people. The Corporation is the industry's largest single source of funds for national public television and radio program development and production. CPB, a grant making organization, also funds more than 1,000 public radio and television stations. www.cpb.org.
-PBS-
CONTACT:
Laura Jones, Penguin Television, +44 (0) 207 010 3676; laura.jones@penguintv.com
Carrie Johnson, PBS, 703/739-5129; cjohnson@pbs.org
Jeannie Bunton, CPB, 202/879-9687; jbunton@cpb.org