New Documentary Executive Produced and Narrated by Forest Whitaker
Captures a Long, Amazing Ride to the 2012 Olympics
Opening in New York City and Los Angeles on August
2
From director T.C. Johnstone and told by Forest Whitaker comes RISING FROM ASHES, which
will have its worldwide theatrical premiere on August 2 in New York and Los Angeles.
In RISING FROM ASHES, two worlds collide when cycling legend Jock Boyer
moves to Rwanda to help the
first Rwandan National Cycling Team in their six year journey to compete
in the Olympic Games in London. Setting out against impossible odds
both Jock
and the team find new purpose as they rise from the ashes of their past.
Executive produced and narrated by Forest Whitaker,
this stunningly shot film follows Jock (the first American to compete in
the Tour
de France) and his Rwandan riders as they slowly but steadily learn what
it means to be a professional cyclist - how to train, how to compete,
how to
live the life of a top level athlete. As they get better and better, the
riders of Team Rwanda give their countrymen a vision of
something greater than themselves and their history: hope for a future.
In Rwanda, ‘The Land of a Thousand Hills’, the bicycle is essential to
life. It is how you move. It is how you work. And during the
Genocide, it is how you survived. Stand on any corner of any village
throughout the country, and farmers will scream down hillsides barefoot
on 25
year old bikes loaded with 100 pounds of potatoes, taxi drivers peddle
diligently with a mother and daughter in tow, and a child amuses himself
for
hours guiding a bent wheel down alleyways. It seems natural that bike
racing has a rich history in Rwanda. For decades the country has
participated in
the sport, hosting local races for bragging rights, riding barefoot,
many times without brakes or gears. During 100 days in 1994, as Rwandans
were
systematically murdered, thousands escaped certain death on their bikes.
When the dust settled and the perpetrators were subdued, the country
mourned
the death of nearly one million of their countrymen. Amidst the
heartache and trauma, a committed group of young cyclists began
importing racing bikes
into the country with the hopes of resurrecting the sport. In 2005,
legendary bike builder Tom Ritchey explored the country
on his
bike, and upon meeting a group of cyclists who called themselves Team
Rwanda, left with the vision there was potential for a National Team,
and a
question. What if they could make it to the Olympics?
Jock
Boyer is one of America’s most fabled cyclists. He grew up
battling Tom Ritchey in Northern California’s competitive cycling
leagues, out of this rivalry a mutual admiration and friendship was
born. At the age of 17, Jock left the U.S. to compete professionally
against the
World’s elite in France, and in 1981 he made history as the First
American to ever ride in the Tour de France. Upon his return to the
United
States, after a prolific racing career, he would lose it all. In this
period of darkness Tom reconnected with his long lost friend with an
unlikely
proposition, an offer to become the Coach of Rwanda’s first National
Cycling Team.
The star of Team Rwanda is Adrien Niyonshuti.
Adrien lost 60 family members in the Genocide, including six brothers
and his mother’s entire line of heritage. Maybe because he sought
purpose behind his pain, maybe he just had a gift, but Adrien started
cycling.
In 2006, he rode a mountain bike for the first time -- catching Jock and
winning a local race, which forged the beginning of a relationship
between
two broken men. In 2011, Adrien qualified for the Olympic Games, a bold
achievement that would send shockwaves throughout Rwanda, a living
example
that the ghosts and demons of our past have no power over our future.
RISING FROM ASHES was produced by two partnering non-profit’s, Gratis 7 Media Group and Project Rwanda. They in turn support
Team Rwanda.
Team Rwanda started out as a cycling organization however
they quickly learned they had to care for the greater needs of each
athlete. Many of the riders could not read or write, lived in homes
without fresh
drinking water, were malnourished, and had never received healthcare.
But there was still a greater issue, the issues of the heart. These
riders were
all recovering from the traumatic psychological effects of the 1994
genocide. Team Rwanda had to look deeper.
Team Rwanda has not solved all of these problems but it is making a difference.
-
Riders are provided a modest salary to help provide for
themselves
and their families.
- Riders are given English lessons and taught how to read
and write.
-
Health care is provided for the ongoing issues of malaria
and
water-borne diseases.
- When funds are available, the riders are given
regular health checks and dental care.
While the team has taken care of
the physical and mental issues it has provided something greater: Hope.
Rwanda is a country recovering from one of the world’s most devastating
genocides and they have longed for heroes. The riders of Team Rwanda
have become more than just a cycling team; they have become ambassadors
of hope and men to look up to. They have given the country a vision of
something greater then themselves and a renewed sense of purpose.
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
T.C. Johnstone (Director
/ Producer / Editor) began making
films in Steamboat Springs over 10 years ago. After producing his first
feature he moved to California and began working as a DP and documentary
director on a wide variety of projects ranging from national television
(ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, Discovery) to independent films. He currently
focuses on
independent documentary feature films.
RISING FROM ASHES
80 minutes, documentary, English, 2013DCP, 16:9, Color, Dolby Digital 5.1
Directed and Produced by T.C. Johnstone
Edited by T.C. Johnstone, Elisa Bonora
Narrated by Forest Whitaker
Executive Producers: Forest Whitaker, Jon Halbert , Linda Halbert , Peb Jackson, Dan Cooper
Producer: Greg Kwedar
Composer: Joshua Myers
Cinematographers: David Eggerichs, Ryan Scheer Jeremy Rodgers, Jeffrey Waldron
Press kit, photos, & more available at www.firstrunfeatures.com/risingfromashes_press.html
No comments:
Post a Comment