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Paramount's New Specialty Division Acquires Participant Production's 'AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH'

It's world premiere screening was at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Film features Al Gore.

It's world premiere screening was at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Film features Al Gore.

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HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount's New Specialty Division has acquired the worldwide rights to Participant Production's global warming documentary, "AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH" featuring Al Gore, it was announced today by John Lesher, President of the new division.

The film, which received standing ovations during its world premiere screenings at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, weaves the science of global warming with Mr. Gore's personal history and longtime commitment to communicating the need to reverse the effects of global climate change.

"This movie is a visually mesmerizing and shocking look at the serious and dire state of our planet," said Paramount Specialty Division President John Lesher. "We are very proud to help Al Gore expose the urgency of global warming to the widest possible audience."

"I decided to take part in this documentary because the filmmakers convinced me that it was the best way to get the word out to as large an audience as possible, and to convince more people to look at the truth of our circumstances. We are recklessly, mindlessly destroying the Earth. As Lincoln said, 'We must disenthrall ourselves. And then we will save our country.' And our planet," said Mr. Gore.

Award-Winning director Davis Guggenheim ("Deadwood," "The First Year") directed the film and Laurie David, Lawrence Bender and Scott Z. Burns produced. The film was executive produced by Jeff Skoll, and Guggenheim, for Participant Productions, producers of the Oscar nominated "GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK." "NORTH COUNTRY" and "SYRIANA." Lesley Chilcott served as co- producer.

"Al Gore strips his presentations of politics, laying out the facts for the audience to draw their own conclusions in a charming, funny and engaging style, and by the end has everyone on the edge of their seats, gripped by his haunting message," said Director Davis Guggenheim.

"We are thrilled to have the new Paramount specialty division as our partners on the worldwide release of this eye-opening film," said Participant Productions Founder and CEO Jeff Skoll. "John Lesher and his team expressed such incredible passion for the subject, and the particular importance of getting it out in a timely manner so that it may have an opportunity to make a difference in the world," said Participant Productions President Ricky Strauss.

Jeff Ivers, Executive Vice President of Finance and Business Affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Participant Productions. Jeffrey Freedmen, Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, represented Paramount's specialty division, which plans to release the film May 26.

To coincide with the release of the film, Rodale Books will publish "An Inconvenient Truth," Mr. Gore's follow-up to his critically praised national bestseller, "Earth In The Balance: Ecology and the Human Spirit."

About Paramount Pictures

Paramount Pictures is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom, Inc., one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies and a leader in the production, promotion, and distribution of entertainment news, sports and music.

About Participant Productions

Founded in January 2004 by philanthropist Jeff Skoll and headed by Skoll and President Ricky Strauss, Participant Productions' focuses on compelling entertainment that highlights important social issues, in order to awaken, inspire and empower audiences to make a difference.

Participant Productions 2005 films were honored with a total of 11 Academy Awards nominations. These include: Good Night, and Good Luck., produced by Section 8 and co-financed by Participant and 2929 Entertainment, directed by and starring George Clooney, and David Straithairn, released by Warner Independent Pictures; North Country, directed by Niki Caro (Whalerider) and starring Charlize Theron, Frances McDormand, released by Warner Bros.; and Syriana, written and directed by Stephen Gaghan and starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Jeffrey Wright, released by Warner Bros. Upcoming projects include Fast Food Nation, directed by Richard Linklater, to be released by Fox Searchlight Pictures. Documentaries include the Oscar nominated Murderball, for which Participant partnered with THINKFilm and MTV Films for its release, and the upcoming The World According to Sesame Street which premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival.

Source: Paramount Pictures