IN 2006 BLACK GOLD SCREENED AROUND THE WORLD TO SELL-OUT AUDIENCES AND SENT SHOCKWAVES THROUGH THE GLOBAL COFEEE INDUSTRY. NOW, ONE YEAR AFTER SUNDANCE, AS PART OF ITS US THEATRICAL RELEASE, BLACK GOLD OPENS IN LA ON FRIDAY 12TH JANUARY 2007.
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD!
DATE: FRIDAY 12TH JANUARY
VENUE: LAEMMLE GRANDE 4-PLEX
345 S. FIGUEROA ST.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, 90071
“Black Gold threatens to do for the multibillion-pound coffee industry what Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me did for fast food: Shock consumers into thinking again about what they are buying…… Starbucks is now spearheading a public relations counter-attack”
(The Times of London)
“Black Gold tells an unresolved modern version of the age-old David and Goliath story”
(Stephen Holden, The New York Times)
“As coffee drinkers know, not all beans are equal, but the meaning of inequality gets an entirely different spin in Marc and Nick Francis’ handsome and astute doc, Black Gold”
(Robert Koehler, Variety)
“Mesmerizing…. a cup of coffee from the corner shop might perk up one’s afternoon, but possibly so on the backs of starving families a world away”
(Seattle Times)
“Fascinating”
(San Francisco Chronicle)
“Scathing, Vivid and Galvanising”
(Time Out, New York)
“Remarkable – A moving but scandalous story. Black Gold has extraordinary power”
(David Gritten, London Daily Telegraph)
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As westerners revel in designer lattes and cappuccinos, impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers suffer the bitter taste of injustice. In this eye-opening expose of the multi-billion dollar coffee industry, Black Gold traces one man’s fight for a fair price.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE.
TO CONTACT THE LAEMMLE GRANDE THEATER, call 213-617-0268.
For those of you who are interested in the issue of Fair trade, there is a powerful documentary out called “Black Gold,” that documents the lives of Ethiopian coffee farmers and clearly demonstrates why all of us should be asking for Fair Trade coffee. The film was recently released in the theater but is now available to the public on DVD via California Newsreel. You can read more about the documentary or pick up a copy of it here at http://newsreel.org/
SAVING PARADISE!!
I live in Quito, Ecuador, which is as close to paradise one might get. In fact all of Ecuador is unique. There is probably no other country like it in the world. The climate is great, the people are wonderful, and there are four very distinct climatic areas in the country. It is one of the few travel secrets left in the world.
Unfortunately this paradise is slowly being destroyed by a few multinational companies who have absolutely no regard for this fragile environment.
Several years ago companies such as COCA-COLA, PEPSI-COLA, INBEV (BECK’S BEER, BASS, BUDWIESER)
SAB-MILLER (MILLER BEER, CASTLE BEER, AMSTED LAGER), started introducing most of their beverages in non-returnable containers. The soft drink manufacturers now produce a wide range of non-returnable plastic containers of all their products.
The beer manufacturers also are now producing non-returnable drinks in bottles and cans.
These products include soft drinks, bottled water, beer, fruit juice drinks and energy drinks.
Unfortunately no where in Ecuador is there a refund law requiring these multinational companies to accept responsibility for their irresponsible marketing strategies.
Because of this total disregard for the environment and only their concern for high profits, the country is literally becoming choked by the non-returnable containers.
The garbage generated by these products is becoming a very serious problem.
ALL THESE COMPANIES are doing NOTHING!
These are not the only companies selling these non-returnable containers. Included in this list are whiskey manufacturers such as Johnny Walker, Cutty Sark, Chivas Regal, most of the California wine companies, Chilean wine companies, Heineken Beer, Budweiser. etc.
All these companies are not allowed to carry on these type of irresponsible marketing practices in North America or Europe, but because there is a lack of laws in countries such as Ecuador, they do whatever they want and feel no obligation to correct these criminal practices.
If you go to the web pages of these soft drink companies or liquor companies, they all talk about their social responsibilities. Believe me this is only a farce. Not only do they pollute the country side with their products, they illegally sell to establishments that do not have permits to sell liquor, they sell their products close to local high schools and churches.
They also openly sponsor amateur and professional sports teams. Again, in North America and in Europe this would not be permitted. What kind of message are they sending to the youth that it is alright to mix alcohol with sports?
I am asking your support to put pressure on these companies. I would like you to first start a worldwide boycott of products manufactures by AMBEV, SAB-MILLER, COCA-COLA, PEPSI-COLA, JOHNNY WALKER WHISKEY, CUTTY SARK; CHIVAS-REGAL.
I would like you to start an email campaign sending a clear message to all these companies that they cannot carry on with unacceptable marketing practices such as they do in Ecuador.
The people and the country of Ecuador are no different than the people of North America and Europe. We deserve to be treated with the same respect and dignity.
This country cannot be used as a personal dumping ground for these types of multinational companies. If their marketing and sales practices are unacceptable in North America and Europe, why should they be allowed to do as they please in a small country such as Ecuador?
Finally, I would ask that you send this letter around the world to all environmental groups, politicians, news media, and anyone who can pressure these types of companies into permanently stopping these types of environmentally destructive practices.
Thank you;
Zoltan S. Strigan
zoltan_strigan@yahoo.com