ONE Celebration Event at Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love Los Angeles Premier
Los Angeles, Calif.-On Friday, July 3, the global anti-poverty organization ONE will celebrate the Los Angeles premier of the award-winning film Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love. The film chronicles the remarkable story of Youssou Ndour, Grammy-award winning artist and social activist who also serves as a member of ONE’s Policy Advisory Board.
The film will premiere at the Laemmle Sunset 5 Theater, 8000 Sunset Blvd., at 7 p.m. ONE will hand out free special-edition t-shirts to all audience members, as well as take part in a question and answer session with director Chai Vasarhelyi. Audience members will also have a chance to sign up to the grassroots group both before and after the film. Tickets are available for purchase on Friday, July 3 at www.lammle.com or at the box office. The premiere is open to the public.
ONE is a grassroots campaign and advocacy organization backed by more than two million people, including thousands in Los Angeles, who are committed to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. ONE’s millions of members work in their local communities to raise awareness of global poverty and disease and help build the political will to address these challenges. Cofounded by Bono and other campaigners, ONE works closely with policy experts, African leaders, and anti-poverty activists, including the film’s star, Youssou Ndour. Ndour is the highest selling African artist of all time and has collaborated with countless musical superstars, including Bono.
An audience sensation at film festivals worldwide Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love takes you behind the scenes and into the world of Africa’s most famous musician. This never-before-told story follows N’Dour at a turning point in his life and career, as he releases his most personal and controversial album Egypt. But the singer’s hope for promoting a more tolerant face of Islam erupts in scandal and outrage in his native country, and many reject the album and denounce it as blasphemous. Part explosive documentary, part stirring drama, Youssou Ndour: I Bring What I Love is an unforgettable musical journey with an artist whose courage and conviction shook the music industry and ultimately awakened the world.
Including in his work with ONE, Ndour has been committed to social justice and the fight against poverty for decades. In 1985, he organized a concert for the release of Nelson Mandela. He was a featured performer in the 1988 worldwide Amnesty International Human Rights Now! Tour. He started Project Joko to open internet cafés in Africa and to connect Senegalese communities around the world. He also performed at three of the Live 8 concerts in July 2005.
The new film has won multiple awards worldwide including ‘Circle Audience Award,’ 2009 Film Fest DC 2009, ‘Impact of Music Award,’ Nashville Film Festival 2009, ‘Special Jury Prize’ 2008 Middle East International Film Festival, ‘Audience Award’ 2008 Bahamas International Film Festival, ‘Spirit of Freedom Award’ 2008 Bahamas International Film Festival, ‘Audience Award’ 2008 Sao Paulo International Film Festival.
The film is currently playing in New York at Village East Cinemas and opens on Friday, July 3 at Laemmle Sunset 5 in Los Angeles and Edward’s University Town Center in Irvine. The film will open in an additional 25 cities throughout the summer. The film is rated PG and the running time is 102 minutes. For more information on the film, including opening dates in additional cities please visit www.ibringwhatilove.com