Biggest Names in Music Urge Fans to See New Film Countdown to Zero and Join the Movement to Eliminate Nuclear Weapons and Ratify New START Treaty

For Immediate Release

July 12th, 2010

Contacts:

In Washington: Trevor Fitzgibbon, 202-406-0646

Macy Gray, Trent Reznor, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., Maroon 5, Tom Morello, Dave Matthews Band, Steve Earle, Ok Go, Bodeans, Circa Survive, Rise Against, Los Amigos Invisibles, Neon Indian, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, Bostich & Fussible, Mayer Hawthorne, Michael Franti, They Might be Giants, Ozomatli, Mexican Institute of Sound, Lotus, Fanfarlo, Jay Electronica, Weezer, Entrance Band, The Gossip’s Beth Ditto, Subsonica

Directed by Lucy Walker and Produced by Academy Award Winner Lawrence Bender, the Film presents compelling stories to inspire a demand for a nuclear free world.

Countdown To Zero Hits Theaters July 23

Washington DC: Many of the biggest names in the music industry have joined the campaign to urge fans to see the new Lawrence Bender produced film Countdown to Zero when it hits theaters July 23rd and to join the Global Zero movement to eliminate all nuclear weapons.

Countdown to Zero opens in New York City and Washington DC July 23rd and in twenty other cities nationwide on the 30th (schedule below).

“I am thrilled to help support and promote the film “Countdown to Zero” and the Global Zero movement – the threat of nuclear weapons and the movement to eliminate them is critical to all of humanity.” Macy Gray

Pearl Jam permitted their song “The Fixer” to be used on the film’s closing credits while many of the artists and musicians have recorded online PSA’s (see below) and will be tweeting and urging concertgoers to see the film when it hits theaters on opening night and to sign the Global Zero declaration.

“We’re proud to support and help spread the word about the film Countdown to Zero and this critcical movement – everyone should check it out. As so many global leaders across the political spectrum have correctly figured out, the Global Zero movement to eliminate nuclear weapons is one of the defining issues of our time, and something we should all get behind.” R.E.M.

The BoDeans collaborated with Participant Media on a video of their new single, “Headed for the End of the World” off of their album “Mr. Sad Clown” that promotes both the film and the Global Zero movement

“I wrote the song about extremism - about the importance of finding a middle ground for the sake of humanity as a whole. I support Global Zero and want to encourage people to see Countdown to Zero because it is imperative that we come together to end nuclear proliferation. I wish we could end extremism. Wish we could come together at the middle-for the sake of all. Since that is unlikely, it is imperative that we eliminate nuclear weapons,” said Kurt Neumann of the BoDeans.

Additionally, many of the artists are taking part in Participant Media’s and TakePart’s Social Action campaign, which can be accessed online at takepart.com/zero or by texting “zero” to 77177 – the effort includes petitions urging U.S. Senators to ratify the New START Treaty as well as building support for Global Zero’s Declaration to eliminate all nuclear weapons.

Countdown to Zero traces the history of the atomic bomb from its origins to the present state of global affairs: nine nations possessing nuclear weapons capabilities with others racing to join them, with the world held in a delicate balance that could be shattered by an act of terrorism, failed diplomacy, or a simple accident. Written and directed by acclaimed documentarian Lucy Walker (The Devil’s Playground, Blindsight), the film features an array of important international figures, including President Jimmy Carter, Mikhail Gorbachev, Pervez Musharraf and Tony Blair. It makes a compelling case for eliminating all nuclear weapons worldwide, an issue more topical than ever with world leaders working to achieve this goal today.

The Magnolia Pictures release was produced by Academy Award® winner Lawrence Bender (Inglourious Basterds, An Inconvenient Truth) and developed, financed and executive produced by Participant Media and the World Security Institute. Jeff Skoll, Diane Weyermann, Bruce Blair and Matt Brown are the film’s executive producers.

“Having produced An Inconvenient Truth with Participant Media, I have witnessed the power of a movie to educate people and inspire them to join a movement. The film will help build the growing Global Zero movement -- I am a founding leader of this movement which includes more than 250 political, military, faith and civic leaders, dozens of organizations and over 380,00 activists working for the worldwide elimination of all nuclear weapons. We have a lot of momentum on the issue – from the historic UN Security Council session last year endorsing the goal of Global Zero, to the new START treaty and the Nuclear Security Summit – but we have a long way to go. We believe this film will engage the public in a big way, bring this issue to the top of the political agenda and build an unstoppable movement. I urge everyone to see this compelling movie and get their friends and family to see it and I urge everyone to sign the Global Zero declaration and join the movement today at globalzero.org.” Lawrence Bender

Global Zero Action Plan: http://static.globalzero.org/files/docs/GZAP_6.0.pdf

Global Zero Signatory List: http://static.globalzero.org/files/docs/gzbrief_25March10.pdf

Global Zero is comprised of more than 250 political, military, faith and civic leaders, dozens of organizations and over 380,000 activists working for the worldwide elimination of all nuclear weapons.

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