Please Boycott "Tropic Thunder"

a word from David Tolleson of the National Down Syndrome Congress
I am taking the unusual step of contacting you over the weekend, because we have a lot of work to do and a short time in which to do it. On Friday, our Resource Specialist, Sue Joe, and I attended a special screening of DreamWorks new film, "Tropic Thunder". Journalist Pat Bauer also attended the screening and reports on the contents of the film on her blog, www.patriciaebauer.com. So far, we are the only members of the nationwide disability community who have seen the film, though more screenings are planned for Monday for leaders in other cities.
To say this film is offensive is an understatement. For me, watching this film felt like sitting through an assault.
The National Down Syndrome Congress is a founding member of a coalition of disability-rights organizations who have been in discussion together -- and with DreamWorks -- about this film. Now that we have seen this movie, there is no doubt but that we must come together to fight what has been characterized as damaging and hurtful hate speech.
Members of the Down Syndrome Association of Los Angeles, led by Gail Williamson, will be among the local and national representatives providing informational leafleting and picketing at the Hollywood premiere of this film on Monday. However, we need your help.
If you are in Southern California and can get to Los Angeles on Monday, please contact Gail at gail@dsala.org.
If you cannot make it on Monday, please start planning for Wednesday's nationwide premiere by polling your members for those who might be able to show up at one or more theatres in your area that day to share our message that movies like "Tropic Thunder" do cause harm, both emotionally and by giving insensitive individuals new ways to taunt children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It would be best to have a large turnout at one theatre than to have one or two people at many, and it is important to involve self advocates.
Lest you think the movie is so ridiculous that no one will take it seriously, Josh Tyler, Editor-in-Chief of CinemaBlend, has already given the film a glowing review, noting that his "current favorite" quote, "You never go full retard," comes from the film.
On Monday morning, we will provide information gathered from various coalition members, to use in your efforts.
In Solidarity, David Tolleson
National Down Syndrome Congress
UPDATE:
Liz Ditz has a comprehenisive list of posts on this offensive film.
Jess at Raising Joey has the New York Times article on the upcoming protests.

Help promote sales of "Bella" DVD

Learn how to promote the film that saved 15 lives here.
HT Life Site News

"Golden Compass" ad in diocesan newspapers pulled

Medlinger(responsible for pulling the ad) explained that when a sales representative first approached him about pitching advertisements for the film, "I said we have to find out what the USCCB movie rating is."
"When our sales rep heard that the rating from the Bishops Conference was A II he sent out that note," continued Medlinger. "Afterwards we had a conversation and we are not placing those ads."Asked what caused him to change his mind despite the positive USCCB review, Medlinger was hesitant and would only respond: "It was my decision, it was just business we didn't want to do."
Faithful Catholic activists and bloggers can take a pat on the back for the outcome. In a rare move, the Catholic League was quick to publicly condemn the review. Other Catholic leaders have called on the USCCB to fire their movie critic Harry Forbes, especially in light of the fact that he also caused scandal by giving a glowing review to the homosexual propaganda film Brokeback Mountain. (see coverage: http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2007/dec/07120304.html )LifeSiteNews.com readers, activists and Bloggers such as Amy Wellbourn, Thomas Peters of American Papist, among many others, have pursued both the USCCB review and the proposed ads stirring a healthy controversy.
Congratulations, fellow Catholic bloggers, job well done!

Youth can get free tickets to see "Bella"

A generous donor has given Bella's producers a large sum to make it possible for 10,000 Catholic youth to see this movie at no cost nationwide.

The tickets are free, but must be reserved through Bella in blocks of 100 or more. To do so:
* Check to see if and when Bella is coming to your town: bellathemovie.com/theater
* Click on your city in the left column for a listing of local theaters showing Bella.
* To identify the best local show time for your group, click on:
FOR SHOWTIMES AND TO PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL TICKETS FOR THIS THEATER CLICK HERE.
* Tip: get tickets for a Sunday p.m. show to give out at masses over the weekend.
* To reserve your free block of tickets
o call Joanna Styczenski at (228) 596-7912
o or e-mail Liz Saroki at liz@bellathemovie.com
* Bella staff will then provide a "toolkit" to assist you in this short-term promotion.

The free tickets can then be distributed however is easiest:
* in advance or on a first-come-first-served basis at the theater
* give them out at youth group meetings today & Saturday
* request permission to make announcements from the pulpit (Bella can provide a sample announcement)
* pass them out after weekend masses


You could even make it a fundraiser with no overhead!
* Reserve 200+ tickets to secure the theater for a private showing.
* Distribute tickets as above.
* Welcome moviegoers before the film.
* Take 5 minutes at the end to connect the message of the film with the needs of real women in your community.
* Conclude with an "ask" for donations to your local pregnancy help center, non-profit adoption service, maternity home, or outreach to at-risk youth.
* Place 2-3 volunteers at the exits to collect donations.

Bella was number 17 at Box Office this weekend

It was right behind "Elizabeth: the Golden Age" and ahead of the film on Jesse James, and Halloween, thankfully. Not bad, considering it was only opened in 165 theatres. "Bella" will be opening in many more theateres this weekend, check the website. My little daughters loved it and weren't upset by the car accident. I enjoyed seeing it for the first time since January.

Bella actor thanks prolifers who supported the movie

Eduardo Verastegui, who plays the lead role in the film and is a former star actor and singer in Mexico, says he has been "overwhelmed with joy" by the support.
In the email, Verastegui said three miracles have marked the progress of the film -- finding investors to make the movie, completing the movie itself, and winning the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival's People's Choice award.
But seeing the outpouring of support form pro-life groups is the most rewarding of all, he said.
"The most touching of all has been traveling the country and meeting all of you, and your support this week has been inspirational," he wrote.
Verastegui said hundreds of theaters showing the movie have pre-sold all of their seats to members of pro-life groups and that some organizations are buying hundreds, and even thousands of tickets, for their members.
He also said that one woman who has seen an advanced screening of the film has decided against having an abortion.
"It is a beautiful film that to me was created by something bigger than us all, and I will never forget all of the passion, support and life this film has inspired," he wrote.
He called on pro-life groups to continue promoting the movie leading up to its Friday premier. And they are doing just that.
Life News
I will mention "Bella" and show a trailer as part of my talk Saturday at the Society of Catholic Social Scientists Meeting at St. John's University Law School.