CUTTING-EDGE DOCUMENTARY “THE N-WORD”
HITS STORES NATIONWIDE JANUARY 24TH

A-List Movie Stars, Hip Hop Artists, Celebrities And Sociologists Weigh-In
On The Controversy That Still Surrounds Use Of The Explosive “N Word”

Los Angeles, California – January 12, 2006) – Urbanworks Entertainment will release the hard-hitting documentary THE N-WORD in stores nationwide on DVD beginning Tuesday, January 24TH, 2006. Written and directed by Todd Larkins, produced by Helena Echegoyen and executive produced by cultural critic and best-selling author Nelson George, THE N-WORD takes an entertaining, insightful and in-depth look at the use of one of the most controversial and explosive words in the English language.

The documentary features some of the nation’s leading celebrities including Whoopi Goldberg, Russell Simmons, Chuck D, Quincy Jones, Bryant Gumbel, George Carlin, Regina King and many more sharing their most candid and personal experiences surrounding the “N word.” “It’s a word that’s been seared into the American psyche,” says the film’s writer/director Todd Larkins. “It’s used to insult, enrage, demean, and oddly enough endear. It was a subject that begged for deeper examination.”

The documentary serves up differing perspectives on the “N word,” many of which are based on generational differences. For example, Grammy Award winning composer/arranger and legendary star-maker Quincy Jones believes Americans should leave the word and all of its derivative baggage in the past. Conversely, Russell Simmons, who is largely credited with ushering hip hop into the mainstream American cultural landscape, believes the “N word” has evolved into a non-racial, familial expression among today’s youth that is often used as a term of endearment.

THE N-WORD producer Helena Echegoyen, who is responsible for developing some of the most profitable urban film franchises of the last decade, including “Friday,” the “House Party’ trilogy and “Set It Off,” says she does not believe the “N word” should be extricated from the American cultural landscape. “It’s like being a little pregnant, no such thing. It’s happened, lets deal with.”

THE N-WORD combines dramatic, historical footage with performances by such contemporary artists as: the late great Richard Pryor, who used the “N word” extensively in his act before publicly renouncing it years later; and Chris Rock whose racially charged stage routines have earned him countless awards and a reputation as the leading stand-up comedian in the nation.

THE N-WORD hits stores nationwide on Tuesday, January 24, 2006.
It runs 85 minutes and will be sold for $19.99.

ABOUT URBANWORKS ENTERTAINMENT
UrbanWorks Entertainment is dedicated to the acquisition, production and distribution of quality content to meet the needs of urban entertainment consumers. They are the creators and producers of the franchise, Platinum Comedy Series, which includes original, independent stand-up comedy programs starring Dave Chappelle, D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey, Mo'Nique, Robert Townsend and many others. In addition to being the exclusive distributor of the BET Arabesque film series, UrbanWorks Entertainment has also been selected as the exclusive North American distributor for the classic animated series Fat Albert. In just a few short years, UrbanWorks has secured over 45% market share in the urban non-theatrical home entertainment market. Their mission is to continue to be the undisputed leader in this genre by providing a wide assortment of quality-driven titles from a variety of segments that contribute to the $890 billion urban consumer market. More information can be found on www.urbanworksentertainment.com.

ABOUT VENTURA ENTERTAINMENT
Ventura Entertainment Enterprises, a dynamic 12-year old home entertainment company is the parent company of Ventura Distribution, UrbanWorks Entertainment, StudioWorks Entertainment, Studio Latino, Ventura Select and Ventura International. Ventura Entertainment Enterprises is a full-service sales, marketing, acquisition, product development, manufacturing and distribution company for independent producers and studios. For more information on Ventura Entertainment, please go to www.venturadistribution.com.

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Filmmakers will be available for interviews. Actors are unavailable. Interested journalists please contact:

Anna Fuson
RED SEA ENTERTAINMENT
(818) 242-3780