Season premiere: Global Currents, Global, Oct. 13

From a media release:

Global Television is pleased to present an all-new season of the critically acclaimed “Global Currents” documentary series.

Premiering October 13th at 10 p.m., each weekly, one-hour, independently-produced documentary features the talents of Canada’s best socio-political, environmental, humanist and scientific documentary filmmakers.

Gemini Award-nominated, “Global Currents” reflect character-driven stories about socially relevant issues important to all Canadians. Documentaries in this strand were selected by Global Television for their unique content and distinctly Canadian point of view.

“Global Currents” Fall 2007 Season Premieres Schedule:

o October 13 – Death In The Forest
o October 20 – Stolen Sisters
o October 27 – The Bully’s Mark
o November 3 – Sabrina’s Law
o November 10 – Time Bombs
o November 17 – Fatherhood Dreams

*Broadcast schedules are subject to change.

Global Currents is also introducing a new online blog on its website where independent filmmakers will provide commentary on each of their documentaries. The site will also host a series of web forums for viewers to discuss major topics covered by the documentaries. All these plus photos and video clips can be found at www.globaltv.com/globalcurrents.

Fall 2007 Season Documentaries:

Death In The Forest – Written and directed by Vancouver-based Gordon McLennan, “Death in the Forest” examines the dangers of the logging industry in British Columbia through the eyes of ‘tree fallers,’ who were once proud icons of the great north woods. This documentary explores how one of Canada’s most lucrative industries is also one of the most deadly. It calls attention to safety hazards caused by cutbacks and deregulation, and the consequences of the increasing pressures individual loggers face from forestry companies.

Stolen Sisters – Directed and produced by Saskatoon-based Antonio Hrynchuk, “Stolen Sisters” investigates the increasing number of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada – as many as 500 women in the last 20 years. Based on a report of the same name issued by Amnesty International, indigenous women in Canada are five times more likely to die as a result of violence than women of any other ethnicity. This documentary follows the trials and tribulations of Aboriginal families trying to find their missing loved ones, and the rising tensions that exist between law enforcement and Aboriginal communities.

The Bully’s Mark – Written and directed by Vancouver-based Helen Slinger, “The Bully’s Mark” explores the long-term psychological effects of school-age bullying and follows Erin Thomson on an odyssey back into the darkness of her grade eight year. The journey home to face her bullies, and the friends who deserted her, parallels the equally-intimate bullying stories of today – some of which make Erin’s harassment pale in comparison. With the advent of technology and online communications, these tools become a bully’s weapon, further aggravating a problem that many anti-bullying programs have been unable to solve.

Sabrina’s Law – Directed and produced by Winnipeg-based Barry Lank, “Sabrina’s Law” is about a young, energetic and ambitious girl named Sabrina Shannon whose tragic death from anaphylactic shock inspired a law named in her honour to protect other children. Sabrina’s mother, Sara, promised her daughter that she would help make a difference and does so by sharing Sabrina’s story with the rest of the world.

Time Bombs – Directed and produced by Montreal-based Guylaine Maroist and Eric Ruel, “Time Bombs” focuses on Canadian war veterans who were sent to Nevada on a top secret mission in the 1950s. What they didn’t realize was these soldiers were deliberately used as guinea pigs in a nuclear test program for the Cold War: Operation Plumbbob. Years later, at a time when nuclear tests are being conducted again by powerful nations, these war veterans are sharing how they were deliberately exposed to nuclear radiation and are now fighting the government for recognition and compensation.

Fatherhood Dreams – Directed and produced by Vancouver-based Julia Ivanova, this documentary explores the divide between sceptics and supporters of gay couples as parents. Some Canadians are uncomfortable with the concept of gay male couples raising children. Many think these children may be “different” or at the very least, disadvantaged. Fatherhood Dreams delves into the reality of alternative families and their struggle for equality.

About Global Currents
Global National’s Kevin Newman together with Global Television and CanWest MediaWorks present Global Currents, a critically acclaimed, unique series of hour-long, independently produced documentaries. The documentaries represent the talents of Canada’s best socio-political, environmental, humanist and scientific documentary filmmakers. www.globaltv.com/globalcurrents.