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PRESS RELEASE
"DEATH" WINS THREE 1998 AVANTI AWARDS Underdog Productions' documentary, DEATH, was awarded three Avanti awards at a glittering ceremony on the 27th of March 1998. The unique documentary won a Gold Award in the Documentary category as well as two Craft Awards, one for Editing and another for Camera and Lighting. Barry Ronge, co-presenter of the 18th Annual Avanti Awards, described the work submitted in the documentary category as "some of the best submitted to the judges this year, making selection very difficult". The prestigious Avanti Awards recognize "excellence in the television, video and multimedia industry for broadcast and non-broadcast purposes". The lavish ceremony was well attended by many of the leading lights of the South African Film and Television industry. DEATH, a two part, two-hour documentary examines how the living - the different people and cultures in South Africa - understand and view death. It seeks to explore the mystical, the strange, the ritualistic and the every-day ways we deal with its presence. DEATH is scheduled to be broadcast on the 20th and 27th of May 1998 on SABC 3 at 9:30pm. Viewers will experience a harrowing autopsy, visit the ancestors in a Bushman trance-dance and take a glimpse into a past life in ancient Egypt: A journey of fear, laughter and mystery, sharing the most universal experience we must all face... death. Using various stylistic and narrative techniques, such as a two camera shoot, fast paced editing, modern music and the use of image grading, the documentary aims to appeal both to the senses and the mind. DEATH is a controversial, questioning and enlightening documentary that combines rarely seen footage and a unique off-beat perspective. Director Luiz DeBarros and Producer Marc Schwinges, the young, award-winning Underdog team, have a history of producing controversial projects, both documentaries and short films that have been shown around the world at various film festivals. They have also been involved in productions for the Discovery Channel. This is their first project with the SABC and the first to be submitted to the Avanti Awards. For more information visit the DEATH web site (http://www.underdog.co.za/death) which includes a synopsis, crew information, downloadable video clips and high-resolution stills for press use. The information contained in this press release is also available on the web site, as is additional information about DEATH and Underdog Productions. Stills are also available in hard copy, on CD-ROM and Magneto Optical disk from Underdog Productions and the SABC on request. To arrange a preview viewing of DEATH please contact Underdog Productions.
For further publicity material or more information on this project please contact:
Or Michael Van Dyk at SABC 3 -ends-
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