Participant Media today announced that its television network, Pivot, has acquired rights to the documentary WHEN ELEPHANTS FIGHT narrated and executive produced by Golden Globe award winner Robin Wright ("House of Cards"). This eye-opening film spotlights the illicit mineral trade in the Democratic Republic of Congo and shows how global tech corporations' complicity has affected the continued conflict in the region. The award-winning documentary makes its U.S. television premiere on Pivot, tonight, March 16 at 7 p.m. ET.
"We are proud that this film shines a light on the illegal and illicit mining practices in the Congo," states Ms. Wright. "We couldn't be happier that the film and the #StandWithCongo campaign is reaching a broad and socially conscious and active audience at Pivot."
The Democratic Republic of Congo is home to some of the world's richest seams of copper, coltan and other minerals increasingly sought after by global electronics manufacturers for use in smartphones and computers. However, like other resource rich countries in Africa, rather than improving life for the poorest Congolese,
BILLIONS of trade dollars are redirected to tax havens and to local militias. The illegal mineral trade has fueled a war that has taken nearly 6 million lives since 1996.
The film is an extension of the #StandwithCongo campaign which mobilizes students and consumer activists to pressure policy makers, stakeholders, and investors for greater transparency and accountability in the mining sector of the Democratic Republic of Congo. To take action, viewers can follow #StandwithCongo on social media and text CONGO to 77177. The campaign is led by actor Robin Wright, activist JD Stier of Stier Forward, and director Mike Ramsdell.
"When Elephants Fight" is directed by Ramsdell and executive produced by Wright. Janson Media of Tappan, New York handles worldwide distribution.
About Participant Media Participant Media (http://www.participantmedia.com/) is a leading media company dedicated to entertainment that inspires and compels social change. Founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll, Participant combines the power of a good story well told with opportunities for viewers to get involved. Participant's more than 70 films, including Spotlight, Contagion, Lincoln, The Help, He Named Me Malala, The Look of Silence, CITIZENFOUR, Food, Inc., and An Inconvenient Truth, have collectively earned 50 Academy Award(R) nominations and 11 wins. Participant has also launched more than a dozen original series, including "Please Like Me," Emmy(R) Award-winning "Hit Record On TV with Joseph Gordon-Levitt," and "Fortitude," for its television network,
Pivot (
http://www.pivot.tv/).. Participant's digital hub, TakePart (
http://www.TakePart.com), serves millions of socially conscious consumers each month with daily articles, videos and opportunities to take action. Follow Participant Media on Twitter at @Participant and on Facebook.
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