Daily Archives: June 22, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Seventh Art Releasing presents an Artvamp and Benzfilm Group
Production

NICE BOMBS
MY JOURNEY BACK TO IRAQ

Executive Producers: William Haddad, Justin Moyer, Studs Terkel
Produced by: Kristie Alshaibi, Ben Berkowitz, Ben Redgrave
Directed by: Usama Alshaibi
http://www.nicebombs.com

Playing theatrically in NYC and Chicago beginning July 11th 2007 Los Angeles and other dates
coming soon…

NEW YORK
The Pioneer Theatre
July 11, 9pm (followed by a ten day run, ending on July 21.)
155 East 3rd Street- NY, NY
Tel: (212) 591-0434

CHICAGO
The Gene Siskel Film Center
July 11, 8:30pm & July 16 8:15pm
164 North State Street Chicago, Illinois 60601
Tel: 312-846-2600

In Nice Bombs, filmmaker Usama Alshaibi returns to Baghdad to reunite with his family after nearly 24 years. Usama captures the conflicting reactions to the conditions of life in Baghdad. His cousin Tareef enters the room upon hearing an explosion. “It’s a bomb. A nice bomb,” he explains. The phrase is indicative of his family’s nonchalance about their situation. As one young boy put it, “We’re Iraqis. It’s normal.” With humor and resilience Nice Bombs explores Usama’s dual role as both Iraqi and American.

“It pulls off the rare feat of being ‘important’ without forcing a political agenda down the audience’s throat.”

-Time Out Chicago

” …a surprisingly warm first-person video diary…edited with grace and tact.”

-Michael Philips, Chicago Tribune

“Among the many Iraq docs I’ve seen over the last few years, Usama Alshaibi’s ‘Nice Bombs’ offers a refreshing new perspective… Westerners will likely sympathize with Alshaibi and his family in a much deeper way. Because, after all, he is one of us, too.”

-Anthony Kaufman, IndieWIRE

For more information, a screener of the film or to schedule an interview contact:
BENZFILM GROUP
400 S. Main St. #2B LA, CA 90013
213-613-0229 office
213-613-0269 fax
info@benzfilm.com
www.benzfilm.com

Artvamp owner Kristie Alshaibi is partnering with Arab-American fashion designer Maha Cantello to create MAHAmoda. We are currently seeking fashion models for upcoming shoots in July and August, as well as for potential runway shows.

These clothes are inspired by everything from tribal bedouin women to contemporary Middle Eastern styles. Maha expresses the mystery of eyes behind a veil while unveiling the inherent sensuality of the female body.

Shoots are TFP (time for prints/CD) for beginning models and some pay for experienced fashion models.

Check out the new MAHAmoda line: Baghdad in Red and Black at MAHAmoda.com.