Sweethearts Of Rhythm DVD Release

This press release just came in from Jezabel productions over the intertubes for a great new DVD.

DVD RELEASE OF CLASSIC JAZZ FILMS


JEZEBEL PRODUCTIONS is pleased to announce the DVD release of our
award-winning trilogy of films on women and jazz.  Led by the newly
remastered classic International Sweethearts of Rhythm: America?s
Hottest All Girl Band, the collection also includes Tiny & Ruby: Hell
Divin? Women and Maxine Sullivan: Love To Be In Love.

International Sweethearts Of Rhythm is a toe-tapping music film that
tells the story of the multi-racial all-women?s swing band that rose
to success in the 1940?s despite gender and racial prejudice.  Critics
have called it ?an audible treat? (Village Voice), ?a delightful trip
down memory lane? (New York Times), ?a powerful testament to survival
and affirmation? (American Historical Review) and a film that ?makes
you glad documentaries were invented? (Atlanta Journal and
Constitution).

Since its release in 1986, International Sweethearts Of Rhythm has
been screened at over 150 film festivals world-wide.  Selected
screenings and awards include:
? New York Film Festival
? Blue Ribbon, American Film Festival
? National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C.
? World Cinema Spain ?Best Films of the Decade? 2002
? First Prize at Festival de Films de Femmes, Paris
? Jury Prize, Leipzig International Documentary Festival, Germany
? Broadcast in over 20 countries including Britain, France, Holland,
America (PBS, BET and Bravo), China, Denmark, Australia, Zimbabwe,
Canada and Japan.

Tiny & Ruby: Hell Divin? Women, a companion film to International
Sweethearts of Rhythm, is the first documentary to feature a Black
lesbian couple: legendary jazz trumpeter Tiny Davis and her partner of
42 years, drummer-pianist Ruby Lucas. Weaving together rare jazz
recordings, live performances, vintage photographs, and narrative
poetry, the film has been called ?vibrant, sassy and evocative? (City
Limits, London).  Long before today?s gay marriage debates, Tiny &
Ruby received the 1989 Axel Award from the Copenhagen Gay and Lesbian
Film Festival ?for its contribution to the equality and enlightenment
of gays and lesbians in today?s society?.  The film has swept awards
around the world, including the Silver Plaque at the Chicago
International Film Festival, the Teddy Award at the Berlin Film
Festival, Audience Favorite at Festival de Films de Femmes, Paris, and
Blue Ribbon (First Place) at The American Film Festival.

Maxine Sullivan: Love To Be In Love features the late great jazz
singer in her last studio recording session (with Dick Hyman on piano
and Milt Hilton on bass).  Interviews with Maxine Sullivan and fellow
musicians Marian McPartland and Scott Hamilton are interwoven with
photographs, Hollywood clips, and stunning performance footage. A
contemporary of Ella Fitzgerald, jazz historians credit Maxine with
inspiring Ella to sing traditional songs set to a jazz beat. ?This
beautiful portrait of a true musical legend is a wonderful mix of
entertainment and music history.? (Booklist).  According to the
American Film Festival, ?This thoughtful portrait of Maxine
Sullivan?is an example of excellence and beauty.?

ONE DVD WITH ALL THREE FILMS, with bonus footage of the filmmakers in
discussion at Lincoln Center, is available for $99.00 (schools and
libraries) or $39 (personal home use only).  Order on-line at
www.jezebel.org.   Purchase orders or checks can also be sent to:
Jezebel Productions Box 1348 New York, NY 10011.

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