HBO Documentary Films has teamed up with Moving Picture Company, First Take and Anant Singh's Distant Horizon on the feature documentary The Journalist and the Jihadi: The Murder of Daniel Pearl, which will debut on the network this fall.
Narrated by journalist Christiane Amanpour, the film is directed and produced by Ahmed A. Jamal and Ramesh Sharma. Anant Singh ("Sarafina!," "Cry, The Beloved Country," HBO Films' OscarŽ-nominated "Yesterday") also produced.
The Journalist and the Jihadi: The Murder of Daniel Pearl tracks the parallel lives of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl and jihadi Omar Sheikh. Both highly educated individuals from privileged backgrounds, the two men saw the world differently, but with seemingly similar passion and commitment. One was a humanist, who spent most of his career reporting from the Islamic world on a quest to promote cross-cultural understanding; the other was a militant who ultimately chose a deeply violent path to express his views. After 9/11, their paths crossed in Pakistan, with tragic consequences.
The fall debut of The Journalist and the Jihadi: The Murder of Daniel Pearl will coincide with Pearl's birthday. In addition, the Daniel Pearl Foundation will coordinate worldwide events designed to foster cross-cultural understanding through music and journalism.
Moving Picture is a leading production company based in India. First Take Ltd. is based in the UK. Distant Horizon, which will distribute the documentary worldwide, previously concluded a deal with HBO for the distribution of the HBO Films presentation Yesterday.
The Journalist and the Jihadi: The Murder of Daniel Pearl is an HBO Documentary Films presentation; co-produced by Moving Picture, First Take Ltd. and Distant Horizon; executive producers, Sheila Nevins and Lisa Heller.
Academy AwardŽ and OscarŽ are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Contact Info:
Lana Iny or Jessica Manzi
HBO New York
(212) 512-1462 or 1322
Nancy Lesser or Leslie Martinelli
HBO Los Angeles
(310) 382-3274 or 3329
|
