BRCA GENE FILM AT SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
ANNIE PARKER AND DR. MARY-CLAIRE KING TO ATTEND SIFF SCREENINGS
DECODING ANNIE PARKER
A film by Steven Bernstein
Premiere - Thursday, June 6, 2013 – Egyptian Theatre, 7pm
Also – Saturday, June 8 – Egyptian Theatre, 1:30pm
and at BEST OF THE FEST at the UPtown Theater at 2:30 pm June 16
The two extraordinary women whose lives form the basis of the independent film Decoding Annie Parker will be attending both screenings at the Seattle International Film Festival and participating with writer/director, Steven Bernstein in a Q&A to follow. Dr. King, the American Cancer Society Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, is the geneticist who discovered the BRCA1 gene. Proceeds from both screenings will be donated to benefit Dr. King’s ongoing research.
The film tells the real-life story of two women, separated by thousands of miles, by circumstance, background and education, whose lives gradually intertwine until a final, singular and life-changing revelation. It is the story of Annie Parker (played by Samantha Morton), a sharp-witted, irrepressible young woman who watches her mother, then sister, fall victim to breast cancer. When she is diagnosed with the disease, she is resolved to educate herself and fight back against immeasurable odds.
It is also the story of Dr. Mary-Claire King (played by Academy Award winner Helen Hunt), the geneticist who discovered the BRCA1 gene and its link to breast and ovarian cancer. Dr. King’s breakthrough in the face of the medical establishment’s disbelief became one of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century, and has become headline news once again thanks to the recent revelations by Angelina Jolie and the hearings before the Supreme Court.
While Parker and King occupy a special place in history, writer/director Steven Bernstein also sees in their stories a universal affirmation of courage in the face of insuperable obstacles, of triumph over abandonment, illness, depression, self-pity, and the establishment.
To honor the courageous contributions of Annie Parker and Dr. Mary-Claire King, Mr. Bernstein and his producers have negotiated with the non-profit BRCA Gene Awareness to conduct screenings in charitable partnerships for the benefit of cancer research and awareness organizations, prior to a traditional theatrical release later this year. Benefits are being scheduled throughout the summer.
ABOUT DECODING ANNIE PARKER
Starring: Helen Hunt, Samantha Morton, Aaron Paul, Maggie Grace, Alice Eve, Rashida Jones, Marley Shelton, Corey Stoll, Bradley Whitford, Ben McKenzie and Richard Schiff. Produced in association with Ozymandias Productions, Rix Pix, Media House Capital, Unified Picture, Nolan McDonald Films, Dorado Media & Capital. Produced by: Steven Bernstein, Clark Peterson, Keith Kjarval. Executive Producers: Johnathan Brownlee, Sahil Chanana, Nolan McDonald, Manhad Nerula, Herman Narula, Aaron Gilbert. Producers: Stuart Ross, MaryVernieu
For further information please visit www.decodingannieparker.com ; http://www.brcageneawareness.org
ABOUT STEVEN BERNSTEIN
Having spent more than 25 years as a cinematographer in Britain and Los Angeles, Steven Bernstein is making his directorial debut with Decoding Annie Parker. As a cinematographer, Bernstein has won the Cannes Golden Lion for his early commercials work and has been responsible for the look of many landmark films including Monster and Like Water for Chocolate. His book “Film Production” (Focal Press) has been translated into several languages and at one time was the best selling textbook about filmmaking.