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We've got the sub and we've got the movie!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2002
Contact: John Martin
(401) 521-3600 |
The Regan Communications Group
Amy Kempe, Lisa Douchet
(401) 351-8855 |
USS Saratoga Museum Foundation hosts
K-19: The Widowmaker New England premiere
Professor and Mrs. Sergei Khrushchev, Francis Gary Powers, Jr., and Katherine Quinn join benefit gala leadership team
Proceeds will benefit the Saratoga Museum Foundation, Save The Bay and Heritage Harbor Museum
PROVIDENCE - June 21, 2002 The USS Saratoga Museum Foundation today announced it will host the New England Premiere of Paramount Pictures' K-19: The Widowmaker, a Russian submarine thriller starring Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson.
Mirroring the peace and understanding theme of the Saratoga project, Brown University Professor Sergei Khrushchev and his wife Valentina head the list of event Honorary Co-Chairs. Francis Gary Powers, Jr., Katherine Quinn, Congressman James Langevin, former Congressman Bob Weygand and his wife Fran, and Providence Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. round out the impressive team of co-chairpersons.
The July 18 gala features a pre-film reception and a dinner after the movie, to which cast members and movie production crew have been invited. The event will benefit the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation, Save The Bay and Heritage Harbor Museum. WJAR Channel 10 and Citadel Communications are the official event broadcast partners.
The evening begins at Hoyts Cinema in the Providence Place Mall at 6 p.m. with a reception preceding the 7 p.m. movie. Following the premiere, guests may attend a gala Russian buffet banquet at Federal Reserve restaurant in downtown Providence. Owner Bob Burke, who has visited Moscow to explore Russian cuisine, offers an exciting menu of classic Russian fare.
Tickets for the event are $50 per person for the reception and movie; $125 for the reception, movie and Federal Reserve Russian feast. In addition, all guests will receive a pass good for a free tour of the Juliett 484. Tickets are on sale immediately by calling 401-331-5881.
The premiere marks the Rhode Island big-screen debut of Juliett 484, the Russian cruise-missile submarine featured prominently in the motion picture. Collier Point Park on the Providence waterfront will be Juliett's home this summer. The only Russian sub of its class on display in the Western Hemisphere, Juliett is the bright new star of Rhode Island tourism.
"This marvelous event, another symbol of the City of Providence's energy and vitality, demonstrates the spectacular asset we have in the Russian submarine," Mayor Cianci said. "Some of our stars are home grown; some we adopt. Either way, I'm delighted to play a role in guiding Juliett 484 to our nationally acclaimed waterfront and bringing the K-19: The Widowmaker premiere to the people of this city."
"We are thrilled to present an exciting, historic evening of fun and entertainment," said Saratoga Museum Foundation President Frank Lennon. "We have a world-class movie premiere that will support not only our efforts, but support our world-class partners, Save the Bay and Heritage Harbor Museum."
About The Movie
K-19: The Widowmaker is presented by Paramount Pictures and Intermedia Films. It stars Harrison Ford, Liam Neeson, Peter Sarsgaard, and Rhode Island's own Juliett 484, the Russian cruise missile submarine used in the making of the film.
Inspired by a true story, K-19: The Widowmaker follows the exploits of Captain Alexi Vostrikov (Harrison Ford) who, at the height of the Cold War is ordered to take command of the submarine K-19, pride of the Soviet Navy. His mission is to prepare his country's first nuclear missile submarine for sea and take her on patrol no matter what the cost. On this first mission, problems arise with K-19's nuclear reactor which threaten core meltdown and a detonation that will certainly kill all aboard and, if misinterpreted, could trigger a nuclear exchange. In a daring act of heroism, Captain Vostrikov must choose between his orders from the Kremlin and the safety of his men.
K-19: The Widowmaker is produced and directed by Kathryn Bigelow. It is a National Geographic/Palomar/First Light/IMF production, produced by Joni Sighvatsson, Christine Whitaker and Edward S. Feldman.
The Team
Sergei Khrushchev, son of the late Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, is senior research fellow at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies. He writes extensively about the history of the Cold War. From 1958-1968, Dr. Khrushchev, a winner of the Lenin Prize, participated in the Soviet missile and space program, including work on cruise missiles for the Juliett class and other submarines.
Francis Gary Powers Jr., is Chairman and Founder of the Cold War Museum, based in Fairfax, Va. He is the son of the late Francis Gary Powers, the American U-2 spy plane pilot shot down in May of 1960, captured and subsequently released by the Soviets. President Eisenhower's initial denial that the U.S. was engaged in reconnaissance missions accelerated growing tension between the two superpowers.
Katherine Quinn, widow of Oscar-winning actor Anthony Quinn, lives in Bristol, RI and has been active in a number of community projects to include the Bristol County Statehouse and Courthouse Foundation. Her knowledge of the movie industry has been an invaluable resource throughout the planning of the K-19 premiere event.
Congressman James Langevin and former Congressman Bob Weygand have strongly supported the efforts of the USS Saratoga Museum Foundation to create a museum, memorial, education center and family attraction at Quonset Point. Their unwavering support over the past several years has helped the Foundation to navigate the sometimes-choppy waters of government and politics.
Mayor Vincent A. Cianci Jr. played a key role in helping secure a home for Juliett 484 and thus enable the submarine to be relocated to Providence. His enthusiasm inspired quick and effective action on the part of his staff, which was one of the major factors behind Intermedia Film's decision to accept the Saratoga Foundation's purchase offer. After a first meeting in January at which the mayor pledged his support, it was less than 90 days before Juliett was moored in Providence.
Save The Bay is a non-profit organization working to protect, restore and explore Narragansett Bay and its watershed. Launched in 1970, the organization was founded on the community's desire to protect our most precious resource. The organization delivers education programs to schools, community groups and the general public. Save The Bay protects Narragansett Bay by advocating for Bay-friendly legislation, reviewing permits and raising public awareness. It restores the Bay to full health by improving salt marshes, building fish ladders and transplanting eelgrass to the Bay.
Heritage Harbor Museum is a consortium of nineteen historical and cultural organizations renovating working together to create a statewide history museum and cultural center for Rhode Island. Heritage Harbor is proud to be an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, a relationship that provides the opportunity to bring Smithsonian artifacts of local and national significance to Rhode Island, as well as host Smithsonian educational programs, traveling exhibits, and other programs. Expected to begin a phased opening in late 2004, Heritage Harbor Museum will be a major new state tourism attraction.
The Premiere Committee consists of community leaders in areas that include, government, business and the arts. The USS Saratoga Foundation extends its thanks to the members of the K-19 Premiere Committee that, as of this morning, includes Joan Abrams, Jim Bennett, Don and Sue Carcieri, R. Mark Davis, Oskar and Laurie Eustis, Barnaby Evans, Robert and Wini Galkin, Warren and Joyce Galkin, ADM & Mrs. James Hogg USN (Ret), Kate Kilguss, Sally Lapides, Peter McWalters, Hon. Bruce G. Sundlun, Joseph and Annette White and Atty. Gen. and Mrs. Sheldon Whitehouse.
Special Thanks to Sally Lapides and Residential Properties, Nixon Peabody, LLP, ProvPort, USGen New England, Inc., Shire Corporation, Northeast Engineers & Consultants, Inc., and Sonalysts, Inc. The Foundation also would like to acknowledge the support and assistance of George Donnelly and Rick Simone at the Providence Tourism Council.
The Cause
Throughout the Cold War, Juliett 484 and others like it targeted major US cities and American aircraft carriers such as the USS Saratoga. The USS Saratoga Museum Foundation acquired Juliett 484 with hope that one day the two former adversaries will be moored side by side, creating a unique venue for understanding the Cold War era and symbolizing lasting peace between Russia and the United States. The USS Saratoga/Juliett 484 experience will be a resource for area schools, a popular family tourist attraction, and an international destination for history buffs and serious scholars.
"The USS Saratoga Museum Foundation has worked for more than four years to establish a non-profit museum, memorial, educational center and family attraction to Narragansett Bay, featuring the retired aircraft carrier USS Saratoga as the centerpiece," Lennon said. "The Saratoga played a major role in the Cold War, protecting American interests in every confrontation between 1956 and 1994, to include the Cuban Missile Crisis, various Middle East conflicts, Vietnam, the Gulf War and Bosnia.
"During most of these deployments USS Saratoga was shadowed by Soviet submarines, particularly Juliett-class cruise-missile boats," Lennon added. "Given the opportunity to acquire one of only two remaining Julietts, we leaped at the opportunity.
"The submarine has enormous potential to unite with Saratoga, her former adversary, for a peaceful and educational purpose. Individually and in concert, the two naval vessels will become major teaching tools to help ensure the youth of today and the youth of tomorrow never forget the sacrifices of those who have gone before."
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