 
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOON TO RELEASE "ROAR: LIONS OF THE KALAHARI"
LARGE-FORMAT FILM OFFERS DRAMATIC LOOK AT AFRICAN LIONS WASHINGTON, D.C. May 16, 2003 -- Expanding its slate of large-format films following the extraordinary success of its maiden effort ("Mysteries of Egypt"), National Geographic Television announced plans for a Fall 2003 release of a ground-breaking natural history film, "Roar: Lions of the Kalahari." Filmed on location over 2 years by renowned filmmaker Tim Liversedge, "Roar: Lions of the Kalahari" includes lion behavior never before presented on the giant screen. National Geographic supports "Roar: Lions of the Kalahari"" with a comprehensive website and educational materials, as well as extensive marketing, merchandising, and promotion.
An epic story of power and dominance, success and failure, famine and excess, "Roar: Lions of the Kalahari" was filmed in the stark expanse of Botswana's Kalahari Desert. Filmmaker Liversedge's 35-years experience in the region allowed unsurpassed sweep, as well as unparalleled detail of the natural behavior of lions, their prey, and the incredible profusion of life congregated at the single water source for 100 miles. Balancing suspense and action, with insightful information, a strong story line and breakthrough cinematography, Liversedge delivers a passionate film that will thrill and enlighten audiences of all ages.
"This film brings audiences closer to lions in the wild than they've ever been," said Tim Kelly, President of National Geographic Television and Film. "That's in the tradition of National Geographic and it's in the track record of Tim Liversedge, with whom we've worked for more than a dozen years. He was an early master with 16 mm film and then high definition - and now he's extended his storytelling leadership to the most immersive medium of all."
Added Liversedge, "Our wildlife films not only document the rapidly changing African wilderness, but I believe they are also vitally important for long-term conservation. I have been studying large-format filmmaking for the past eight years and am convinced that, through this medium, we will be able to not only entertain but educate the world as to the need for protection and preservation of our wildlife and the environment in which they live."
Liversedge continues: "Being able to capture this sort of action with wild lions so close at times that they brushed my tripod and filled the viewfinder, has been one of the most challenging and exciting times of my life."
Following the life of an exceptionally large male lion, audiences will also meet his two lionesses and three tiny cubs as they struggle to survive around the last-remaining waterhole in this desolate region of Africa. As the backdrop for the film, the waterhole becomes the focus of thirsty elephant, giraffe and herds of desert antelope as the gripping story of succession among the male lions unfolds. The entire film will be mastered digitally, using the latest software and hardware, all tested by veteran large-screen post production company Imagica, USA.
Executive producer for "Roar: Lions of the Kalahari" is Lisa Truitt, head of National Geographic's Large Format Film Unit and a producer on "Mysteries of Egypt" and "Lewis and Clark". Also currently in production is "Forces of Nature" with Graphic Films.
Directed and produced by Tim Liversedge, "Roar: Lions of the Kalahari" also benefits from the input of scientific advisors Ronald Ritter, a Rhodes scholar from the University of Oxford in England, and Graham Hemson, an Oxford University scholar presently studying lions for his doctoral thesis. Hemson contributes insight on the status of the lion population and details regarding both behavior and movement of the lion prides while Ritter is involved in the creation of educational materials for the project. Jini Dayaneni, a producer in high tech entertainment for the past 12 years, serves as producer and post-production supervisor for the film. Richard Jones was the second unit wildlife cameraman and Jack Tankard is shooting aerials.
Having established Tim Liversedge Productions in 1988, Tim along with his wife and business partner June, live and work in Africa's Kalahari region. Committed to lifelong beliefs in conservation, Liversedge serves as a special consultant as well as an honorary Game Warden and naturalist in Botswana. His camerawork on "Okavango: Jewel of the Kalahari" for the BBC and WNET in 1988 earned the Best of Festival Award at Wildscreen Natural History Film Festival while in 1990 he earned an Emmy nomination for his work as producer and cameraman on "Year of the Flame Bird" for National Geographic Television and Partridge Films, which also earned a Best Short Film at Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival in 1991. Since that time, he has gone on to produce the one-hour special "Okavango - Africa's Wild Oasis" for NGT and NHK, "Painted Dogs of the Okavango" for NGT and Partridge Film, "Okavango Diaries" for NGT, "African Garden of Eden" for Turner Television and NHK, a seven part promotional series for the government of Botswana entitled "Botswana Land of Contrasts" and "A Herd of Their Own."
National Geographic dominated the U.S. box office with its first foray into the large format arena with "Mysteries of Egypt," ranked as the highest grossing film (large format or standard feature) on a per screen basis worldwide (Source: Variety). The film, released in 1999 and starring legendary actor Omar Sharif, led audiences on a journey through Egypt.
National Geographic Ventures manages the Society's television, film, interactive, online, merchandising, travel and related businesses. Building on its reputation for remarkable visuals and compelling stories, NGV's subsidiary, National Geographic Television, augments its award-winning documentary production (winner of over 100 Emmys and more than 800 other industry awards) with new prime time drama, large-format, and feature film programming, as well as international broadcast and video distribution. At present, NGT's programming can be seen in the U.S. on the new National Geographic Channel, CNBC and PBS as well as on home video and DVD, and internationally through video & DVD distribution and broadcast syndication in more than 100 different outlets in some 90 territories. The National Geographic Channel, a business enterprise of National Geographic Television (NGT) and Fox Cable Networks Group, recorded the industry's most successful U.S. launch on January 7, 2001. Abroad, those partners are joined by NBC, and the National Geographic Channel reaches nearly 100 million households in 129 countries and in 18 languages. More information about NGT is available at www.nationalgeographic.com.
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Contacts:
Ellen Stanley/NGT
202/775-6755
estanley@ngs.org
Jeff Pryor/Pryor & Associates
818/382-2233
jeff@pryorpr.com
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