PR: WHAM! BAM! ISLAM! on PBS - online screening of THE 99 and live chat tomorrow

I am sending this as-is because they sent me a screening copy that I haven't had a chance to watch yet. Mea culpa.

 It airs at remarkably inconvenient times in our area  - Howard University's channel seems to be your best bet.

 

Sunday, October 16  —  1:00am  26 - WETA

Saturday, October 22  —  8:00pm 32 - WHUT

Sunday, October 23  —  12:00am  32 - WHUT

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

PBS's Independent Lens To Host Online

Screening of THE 99, the First Animated Muslim Superheroes

 

Join Creator Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa and Wham! Bam! Islam! Director Isaac Solotaroff for Exclusive Screening and Q&A on October 14th

San Francisco, CA (October 12, 2011)— Can a team of superheroes from the Muslim world called THE 99 challenge Western prejudices, stem the tide of extremism, provide positive role models for Muslim children, and make a profit as well? THE 99, a comic book and animated television series, featuring the first animated Muslim superheroes, might be able to do just that.

On Friday, October 14th, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST/ 2:00 PM ET PBS's Independent Lens will present on its Livestream page, an exclusive online screening of the animated series in advance of its international television premiere in early 2012. The 45-minute event will feature episode 10: The Sphinx and a Q&A with THE 99 creator Dr. Naif Al-Mutawa and Isaac Solotaroff  director of the  PBS Independent Lens documentary Wham! Bam! Islam! 

Airing tonight, Thursday, October 13 at 10 PM (check local listings) Wham! Bam! Islam!, traces the tumultuous journey behind the creation of THE 99 as Dr. Al-Mutawa runs up against suspicion from Muslims and the harsh realities of the global marketplace. The documentary will be available for download on iTunes beginning October 14 and for a limited time on PBS video after its television premiere.

 

About episode 10: The Sphinx: When evil mastermind Rughal is attacked by a masked intruder called Sphinx, he's so impressed by her power that he recruits her to his team of super-villains. Sphinx's first mission is to settle a long-standing score with Cat or Mumita The Destroyer, a leading member of Dr. Ramzi's 99 team. But who exactly is Sphinx and what is her mysterious connection with Rughal's second-in-command, Blackwolf?

 

THE 99 has been produced in full 3D CGI by Endemol UK in association with Teshkeel Media, with the animation work being completed in India by Sanraa Media. The series is scheduled to premiere across the Middle East, in Australia, and several other countries in early 2012. There is no date set for the series to be on-air in the USA. To learn more about the film and the issues involved, visit the companion website for Wham! Bam! Islam! at www.pbs.org/independentlens/wham-bam-islam/.

 

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