NEW YORK, NY – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and Sony BMG Entertainment hosted an evening reception with community activists and human rights organizations including Amnesty International and Facing History and Ourselves to promote the DVD release of “Screamers,” the award-winning, documentary detailing the history of modern-day genocide from the Armenian Genocide in 1915 and the Holocaust era to the Rwandan massacres on the ongoing Darfur Genocide.

“Screamers theatrical release in the last year raised the profile of genocide recognition in America and around the world. Now, the DVD release goes a step further because each and every DVD sale says to mainstream America ‘We care about this issue, this matters to us as Armenians and as Americans, especially with a genocide going on now in Darfur.’ So this is a chance for those to make a real difference by buying the film, which has helped put this issue on the map. Each DVD also has an educational track which omits the strong language so that we can really get the message out to young people across the nation in schools. That is why Matt Damon’s ad for the genocide education charity Facing History is at the top of the DVD. They support the message of this film The ANCA is also helping to get Screamers into the classroom which I am very excited about,” commented Screamers director Carla Garapedian.

The exclusive featured appearances by Grammy Award winning System of a Down lead singer Serj Tankian and Garapedian, both of whom offered insights on the DVD release. Participants were also able to view special features now included in the DVD detailing the making of the documentary as well as a special trip by System of a Down members to their high school alma mater, Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian School.

Later that evening, ANCA ER Executive Director Karine Birazian had an opportunity to interview Tankian and Garpedian regarding their expectations of the movie’s impact, particularly in terms of student outreach and the growing movement to end the cycle of genocide. The interview will be available soon on the ANCA website.

“It was wonderful to team up with SONY BMG Entertainment to kick off the SCREAMERS DVD release with so many individuals, including The Aramian Irrevocable Trust, and groups who play a critical role in genocide education,” commented Birazian. “In speaking with Serj and Carla – outspoken advocates in the battle to end the cycle of genocide – we see the important role the SCREAMERS DVD release will play in expanding the anti-genocide constituency nationwide. That’s why the ANCA is particularly proud to be launching the “Take SCREAMERS to School” program to ensure that every library and school has a copy of this important documentary.”

The DVD, which can now be purchased online by going to http://www.screamersmovie.com also offers a “Educational Version,” as well as bonus features including an extended version of the interview conducted with the late Hrant Dink, who was assassinated by a Turkish nationalist in January 2007.

‘SCREAMERS’ is a production of MG2 productions in association with BBC Television and The Raffy Manoukian Charity. Award winning director Carla Garapedian, a veteran reporter who has made a career of covering the most difficult stories, from Chechnya to repression in Afghanistan, follows the European tour of “System Of A Down” and their ongoing efforts, through music and activism, to raise awareness about denial of the Armenian Genocide and its legacy of a century of atrocities culminating in the ongoing genocide in Darfur. The film, distributed by Maya Entertainment, debuted at the American Film Institute (AFI) Film Festival in November, 2006, where it won the coveted AFI Audience Award.

The ANCA teamed up with Save Darfur and the Raffy Manoukian Charity in bringing SCREAMERS to a Congressional audience in January 2007 and once again in October 2007, with the participation of Congressional Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

Photo Caption:
L to R: ANCA supporter Sue Aramian, System of a Down lead singer Serj Tankian, ANCA ER Director Karine Birazian, and ANCA ER Board Member Isabel Ohanian

System of a Down lead singer Serj Tankian and Screamers director Carla Garapedian