September 17, 2007
For Immediate Release
Shooters, a Canadian War Documentary Flow Program for Ken Burns’ The War
PBS border stations across the northern United States will broadcast the Canadian documentary, Shooters, in conjunction with Ken Burn’s’ new documentary series, The War. The broadcast at 6:00 on Sunday, September 23rd precedes the premiere of The War at 8:00 that same evening.
Shooters is programmed as the lead-in show to The War at two stations covering BC, Alberta, Eastern Ontario and Southern Quebec. As well, Shooters will be broadcast immediately following The War in Southern Ontario. Broadcasts across Canada will follow in October and November. PBS sees this as a nod to its Canadian viewers.
Shooters details the exploits of the Canadian Army Film and Photo Unit (CFPU) during the Second World War. The CFPU was the last such unit to be formed in the allied forces yet stood out as the leading unit, scooping the world press and newsreels on major actions in Europe: the Invasion of Sicily, D-Day, the Liberation of Paris and the Elbe River Link-up of Soviet and American armies. The CFPU also captured unique footage, such as the only filmed action leading to a Victoria Cross, the only colour photographs of D-Day, and the first feature-length documentary shot while under enemy fire.
Producer James O‘Regan’s father, Brian, was a member of the unit. As a dispatch rider, he found Bill Grant’s iconic film of D-Day in the sand on Juno Beach, was the first Canadian soldier over the city limits of Dieppe after the invasion and was the subject of a photo that was sent around the world of the Elbe River Link-up.
Released in 2005 as a DVD-on-demand and a broadcast program, Shooters has received limited play in spot markets via digital TV networks such as Book-TV, CLT, Country Canada and SCN. The PBS broadcast marks its first free TV and basic cable broadcast available across Canada. Check this URL for the complete PBS schedule:
http://www.jamesoregan.com/Shooters/pbsair.htm
The Canadian Society of Cinematographers calls Shooters "a remarkable, compelling story," while Dave Brown of the Ottawa Citizen says it is "an important piece of historical work." Military writer Terence W. Loveridg calls it " a remarkable feat... solid historical video-document" with “ tremendous impact…”
-30-
Contact:
James O’Regan,
613-824-4706,
oregan@jamesoregan.com
www.jamesoregan.com/Shooters