July. Aug. Sept. Oct “Wisconsin's Mining Standoff” Film On Tour


371 Productions is launching a statewide tour of our investigative documentary Wisconsin's Mining Standoff, which premiered on Al Jazeera America’s series "Fault Lines" in June. Please see our press release below.

MEDIA ALERT

Milwaukee-based 371 Productions launches a statewide screening and discussion series for their Al Jazeera America Fault Lines documentary “WISCONSIN’S MINING STANDOFF” about GTAC’s controversial proposal to dig an open-pit iron mine in Northern Wisconsin.

This summer and fall, “Wisconsin’s Mining Standoff,” 371’s documentary about the proposed iron mine in Northern Wisconsin, will tour the state in a series of film screenings followed by community discussions and panels. The documentary premiered June 14th, 2014 on Al Jazeera America’s award-winning investigative documentary program “Fault Lines”. It addresses a crucial issue for Wisconsinites heading to the polls in November for gubernatorial elections.

Produced and directed by Milwaukee-based 371 Productions, the film takes viewers to Ashland and Iron Counties, where the company Gogebic Taconite or “GTAC” (a subsidiary of Cline Resources of Florida) has set off a battle over the state’s natural resources by proposing to dig what could be one North America’s largest open pit mines in Wisconsin’s Penokee Hills. The film explores the potential impacts of the mine and how legislation changed the state’s mining laws.

The following screenings are planned or in the process of being planned. Others will be added as they are finalized. All are open to the public.

Thurs, July 24 – Ashland, WI – Northern Great Lakes Visitors Center, 7pm

Tues, July 29 – Milwaukee, WI – Urban Ecology Center Riverside Park, 7pm

Weds, Aug. 13 – Madeline Island – Tom’s Burned Down Cafe, 9pm

Thurs, Aug. 14 – Mellen, WI – Mellen Library, 7pm

Sun, Aug. 17 – Montello, WI – MORE Healthy Foods Cafe, 4pm

Thurs, Aug. 28 – Milwaukee, WI – St. John’s on the Lake, 3:30pm

Weds, Sept. 10 – Janesville, WI – Basic Natural Foods, 6:30pm

Tues, Sept. 16 – Superior, WI – UW-Superior Manion Theatre, 7pm

Tues, Sept. 23 – Eau Claire, WI – UW-Eau Claire Woodland Theatre, 7pm

Tues, Oct. 28 – Beloit, WI – Beloit College (venue TBD), 7pm

UW-Milwaukee screening - date TBD

More details on screenings are can be found at 371productions.com.

About the film: “Fault Lines” correspondent Josh Rushing travels to Ashland and Iron Counties to report the story. Viewers meet the players at the heart of the standoff, visiting a century old family-owned dairy farm that could be impacted by the mine. We hike deep in the woods in the harshest of winters to spend time with the Chippewa tribes who have set up an education and resistance camp to oppose the mine. The Bad River Chippewa tribe, who have lived in the region for generations, raise concerns that acid mine drainage would contaminate the water, fish and wild rice on which they depend. And we meet Leslie Kolesar, Chairwoman of the Iron County Mining Impact Committee, who tells “Fault Lines” the mine would bring 700 desperately needed jobs to a region with high unemployment.

“Fault Lines” talks to Wisconsin State Senator Bob Jauch, who opposes this mining project and tells us how GTAC ignored its critics. We also talk to Bob Seitz, Director of External Affairs for GTAC, who denies allegations that the company had a hand in writing mining legislation and defends the company’s record of environmental and safety violations.

It’s an unfolding battle in a pristine wilderness where even the tiny Iron County board election attracts money from outsiders like the Koch brothers-funded Americans for Prosperity. This is a story about money and power versus environmental concerns and a way of life for thousands of local residents. It’s a story ultimately about the state of our democracy.

Reporters may contact us to view a preview of the film. The running time is 25 minutes.

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Al Jazeera America’s Fault Lines is a weekly documentary show airing Saturday evenings at 7pm ET/4 pm PT that covers current affairs in the United States and throughout the Americas. The recipient of two prestigious Peabody Awards, Fault Lines goes beyond the headlines to investigate the impact of politics and policies on communities in the U.S. and abroad.

ABOUT AL JAZEERA AMERICA

Al Jazeera America is the new U.S. news channel that provides both domestic and international news for American audiences. It is headquartered in New York City with bureaus in 12 cities across the United States. Viewers in Wisconsin can find us on ATT U-Verse (Channel 1219 in HD), Time Warner Cable (Channel 376), DIRECTV (Channel 347) and on DISH Network (Channel 215). Visit Al Jazeera America online at http://www.aljazeera.com for the latest updates. You can also like us on Facebook http://facebook.com/aljazeeraamerica, follow us on Twitter @AJAM (http://twitter.com/ajam) and join the conversation using #AlJazeeraAmerica.

ABOUT 371 PRODUCTIONS

371 Productions is an award-winning media company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 2003 by Brad Lichtenstein, the company has produced such films as the Emmy nominated As Goes Janesville (PBS) and Dupont Award winning Ghosts of Attica (Court TV/BBC). Visit us online at http://371productions.com.

MEDIA CONTACT: DEVON CUPERY

devon@371productions.com / (414) 617-5843