Roadside Attractions, in conjunction with 1019 Entertainment, releases the controversial documentary “COOL IT” to select theatres nationwide Nov. 12, 2010. The film debates current global warming spending, while calling attention to pressing humanitarian crises.
Directed by two-time Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner Ondi Timoner, “COOL IT” is based on the book “The Skeptical Environmentalist” (1998) by economist/political scientist Bjorn Lomborg. The film addresses what Lomborg believes to be the unjustified hysteria surrounding global warming and allocation of $250 billion annually to decelerate climate change. It contrasts the concern for climate with other concerns such as HIV/AIDS, malnutrition, and adequate drinking water, ultimately proposing a re-appropriation of funds to meet the needs of developing countries.
“COOL IT” premiered at the Toronto Film Festival last month. The Los Angeles Times called the film “…enlightening, brain-nourishing stuff,” while Variety predicted it “should attract truth-seekers of all stripes.” Producer Terry Botwick of 1019 Entertainment believes the film will resonate with Christian audiences as well, based on its “care for creation” message.
“The important thing is that we spend our resources in a way that does the most good in the world,” says Botwick. “When you are staring at pressing needs like hunger, poverty and lack of basic education in much of the world, spending trillions of dollars to lower the temperature by less than 1 degree at the end of the century doesn’t seem like the best use of our money. As Christians, we certainly should be concerned with stewardship of the planet; but taking care of the poor seems to be one of the greatest mandates given by God in the Bible. ”
ABOUT ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS
Roadside Attractions is a film distribution company committed to championing independent films with a willingness to entertain. The company works with filmmakers to devise innovative marketing strategies that encourage audiences to see films that are not typical studio fare. Roadside Attractions’ 2009 release THE COVE captured the Academy Award for best feature documentary. Among its 2010 releases is Debra Granik’s critically-hailed WINTER’S BONE, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, the outrageous Jim Carrey/Ewan McGregor starrer I LOVE YOU PHILLIP MORRIS, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s acclaimed BIUTIFUL, for which star Javier Bardem captured the Best Actor Award in Cannes and Ondi Timoner’s COOL IT documentary, which will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Previous theatrical releases include Chris Rock’s GOOD HAIR; RJ Cutler’s THE SEPTEMER ISSUE; Ramin Bahrani’s GOODBYE SOLO, winner of the 2008 Venice Film Festival’s FIPRESCI International Critics’ prize; Patrick Creadon’s Sundance sensation I.O.U.S.A; Toronto Film Festival People’s Choice winner, BELLA; Andrew Wagner’s Spirit Award-nominated STARTING OUT IN THE EVENING; Tarsem’s groundbreaking visual marvel THE FALL; the outrageous comedy SARAH SILVERMAN: JESUS IS MAGIC; Cannes Directors Fortnight hit CARAMEL; Academy Award® nominee SUPER SIZE ME; Spirit Award winner THE ROAD TO GUANTANAMO, as well as box office hits such as AMAZING GRACE, LADIES IN LAVENDER and WHAT THE BLEEP DO WE KNOW?
ABOUT 1019 ENTERTAINMENT
1019 Entertainment is a film production and finance company formed by Terry Botwick and Ralph Winter. 1019 Entertainment has more than 25 projects in development, both internally and at the studios, including DEAN KOONTZ FRANKENSTEIN, TRIXIE also with Koontz, Paul Verhoeven’s SURROGATE starring Halle Berry and the action thriller MAN AND WIFE in conjunction with Peter Chernin.
