THE DOCUMENTARY CHANNEL® PREMIERES FOUR FILMS
AS PART OF MONDAY “PRIMETIME PREMIERES” SCHEDULE
THAT BEGINS ONE HOUR EARLIER THIS JANUARY
DOC Moves Start Time To 8 PM And Will Repeat Exclusive “Primetime Premieres” Slate On Saturdays

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Dec. 9, 2009) — The Documentary Channel® (DOC) premieres four engaging films during January as part of its Monday “Primetime Premieres” lineup, including one world premiere (“Misha Vs. Moscow”) and two U.S. television premieres (“Personal Che” and “What Remains of Us”). This weekly primetime schedule will be telecast one hour earlier beginning in January, kicking off at 8 p.m. ET/PT (with the exception of NYC TV’s 9 p.m. ET start in New York). Also in January, DOC will showcase an encore performance of its “Primetime Premieres” programming on Saturday evenings, also at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

“Our documentary films feature people and situations which no television writer could invent,” says Kate Pearson, The Documentary Channel senior vice president of programming. “The stories are fascinating and best of all, real. All the drama and controversy anyone could ask for, without a script.”

Many films have sought to reveal the man behind the myth of Che Guevara, but in its exclusive U.S. television premiere on Monday, Jan. 4, “Personal Che” does just the opposite, seeking to explore the myth, not the man. Legends about Argentine-born physician Ernesto “Che” Guevara take on a life of their own as people from around the globe reinterpret it for themselves. From a rebel living in Hong Kong fighting Chinese domination to a German neo-Nazi preaching revolution and a Castro-hating Cuban, the testimonies in the film—written and directed by Adriana Marino and Douglas Duarte—prove that the Argentinean revolutionary’s historical impact reverberates still, 42 years after his execution at age 39.

On Monday, Jan. 11, DOC presents the U.S television premiere of “What Remains Of Us.” Shot between 1996 and 2004, the film uses small digital cameras and takes viewers to the heart of the tragedy that has consumed Tibetan society for over half a century, without the knowledge of the Chinese authorities. Key footage was provided by Kalsang Dolma, a young Tibetan refugee in Quebec, who crosses the Himalayas to carry a video message recorded by the Dalai Lama into one of the largest prisons in the world. The film tackles the crucial issue of individual and collective responsibility towards three generations of Tibetans who, despite the disappearance of 1.2 million of their fellow citizens, have always refused to yield to violence.

“Beyond Wise Guys,” making its network debut Monday, Jan. 18, features an interview and clip-driven look at Italian-Americans in the movies, from early films through the present. The film includes commentary from some of America’s greatest Italian-American actors, directors, screenwriters and authors such as: Paul Sorvino, Marisa Tomei, Martin Scorsese, Ben Gazzara, John Turturro, Frank Capra, Jr., Isabella Rosselini, Joe Pesci, Susan Sarandon, Stanley Tucci, Jack Valenti and David Chase.

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Narrated by Paul Borghese and executive produced by John Turturro, “Beyond Wise Guys” shows how Italian-Americans transformed themselves from outsiders, stereotyped by the Hollywood establishment as mobsters, into industry insiders and a creative force to be reckoned with. Using a mosaic of interviews with well-known contemporary Italian-American filmmakers, the documentary highlights the ways in which these filmmakers use their heritage to positively shape the art and craft of American cinema.

In its exclusive world television premiere Monday, Jan. 25, “Misha Vs. Moscow: The Battle for Georgia’s Future” takes a closer look at Georgian president Mikheil “Misha” Saakashvili, who now finds himself ostracized by his western allies and facing demands at home to resign after having led his country into a disastrous war against Russia. Director John Philip obtains exclusive access to Saakashvili, his inner-circle and his most vocal critics as “Misha Vs. Moscow” asks whether Saakashvili can regain his crown as the darling of international politics or whether the war has torpedoed any chance of peace with Russia.

A summary of network’s exclusive Monday “Primetime Premieres” January schedule is as follows:

Monday, Jan. 4 “Personal Che” (P) *8 p.m. ET/PT
Monday, Jan. 11 “What Remains of Us” (P) *8 p.m. ET/PT
Monday, Jan. 18 “Beyond Wise Guys” *8 p.m. ET/PT
Monday, Jan. 25 “Misha Vs. Moscow” (WP) *8 p.m. ET/PT
(P) – Denotes exclusive U.S. Television Premiere
(WP) – Denotes exclusive World Television Premiere
* - Airs at 9 p.m. ET only on NYC-TV

DOC is available on DISH Network (Channel 197), and several broadcast stations in major markets including NYC TV (Channel 25) throughout the greater New York metropolitan area.

About The Documentary Channel®: The Documentary Channel (DOC) is the USA’s first 24-hour television network exclusively devoted to documentary films and the independent documentary filmmaker, providing viewers with round-the-clock opportunities to see fascinating, eclectic and award-winning documentary films of all lengths and genres. For more information on DOC, visit www.documentarychannel.com.
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Contacts:

The Documentary Channel
Barry Smith / Cathy Vo / Bonnie Winings
SWPR Group
(818) 760-7131
bsmith@swprgroup.com / cvo@swprgroup.com / bwinings@swprgroup.com