SHOWBIZ
Rain Man Director Delves Into Entertainment And Politics
2009-10-02 11:12am
As America works its way through one of the most intense and contentious political periods in its history, a new feature-length documentary directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barry Levinson provides an in-depth and provocative look into the often convergent worlds for entertainment and politics.
The Oscar winning director Barry Levinson, who created Rain Man, Bugsy, Diner and Avalon, sets out to explore the collision and collusion between politics and Hollywood.
The film gives the viewer a front-row seat and backroom access to the most significant presidential campaign of the 21st century, featuring interviews with high-profile celebrities and powerful political figures. Poliwood gives insider access to the influence Hollywood has over today's political process as we discover the thin line between politician and actor, news and entertainment, policy and tabloid.
The doco trails a number of politically active actors, writers, directors, and musicians, and the producers say it is sure to spark debate about the role media and celebrities should have in modern-day politics.
The celebrities featured in Poliwood include Annette Bening, Anne Hathaway, Sting, Susan Sarandon, Spike Lee, Fergie, Zooey Deschanel, Danny Glover, Tim Daly, Ellen Burstyn, Kerry Washington, Elvis Costello, Alfre Woodard, Angela Bassett, Billy Baldwin, Charlie Daniels, Connie Britton, Dana Delany, David Crosby, Hayden Panettiere, Josh Lucas, Matthew Modine, Maura Tierney, Alan Cumming, Mos Def, Rachael Leigh Cook, Richard Schiff, Steve Earle, The Pharcyde, Tony Goldwyn, and Will.i.am.
CBS' Showtime Networks will premiere Poliwood on Monday, November 2.
(c) NewsRoom 2009