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October 15, 2018
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MEN IN THE ARENA
A MOVING FILM ABOUT YOUTH WHO OVERCOME THE RUINS OF WAR IN SOMALIA AIRS ON DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE
Scientology Network’s DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE, the weekly series providing a platform for Independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues, presents Men in the Arena, a surprising tale of war, friendship and soccer, on October 19, 2018.
DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE premieres Fridays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Scientology Network.
Filmmaker J.R. Biersmith’s award-winning film Men in the Arena is the story of two Somalian teenagers, Saadiq and Sa’ad, bound by friendship and a dream to inspire youth in Somalia through soccer. Biersmith’s goal was to give the audience another perspective about this poor, war-torn but beautiful country. What he found in these two young men was a story that transcends sports. His camera captures a tale of human rights and perseverance in their quest to overcome almost insurmountable obstacles.
ABOUT J.R. BIERSMITH
Men in the Arena is J.R. Biersmith’s first feature film. He began his journalism career at The Miami Herald and has been a content creator across platforms for over a decade. His uplifting documentary has been recognized by film critics at festivals around the world, and it won the Bronze Award at the Mexico International Film Festival.
In an interview with the Scientology Network for DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE, Biersmith reflected on his film.
“I thought, what is it like to be a young person in Somalia and emerge when the whole world looks at you as a pariah, and how do you come out of that? I really wanted to illuminate what it’s like for any young person to dream. Imagine an entire generation that can look at these two and say, ‘Oh, I now have a role model, and I didn’t have that before. I see somebody on TV that looks like me, and just maybe when I’m feeling really beat down, that’s something I can look to.’ That’s a big deal.”
ABOUT DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE
Fundamental to Scientology is a humanitarian mission that extends to some 200 nations with programs for human rights, human decency, literacy, morality, drug prevention and disaster relief. For this reason, the Scientology Network provides a platform for Independent filmmakers who embrace a vision of building a better world.
DOCUMENTARY SHOWCASE debuts films weekly from award-winning Independent filmmakers whose goal is to improve society by raising awareness of social, cultural and environmental issues.
For more information, visit scientology.tv/docs.
The Scientology Network debuted on March 12, 2018. Since launching, the Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages. Satisfying the curiosity of people about Scientology, the network takes viewers across six continents, spotlighting the everyday lives of Scientologists; showing the Church as a global organization; and presenting its social betterment programs that have touched the lives of millions worldwide. The network also showcases documentaries by Independent filmmakers who represent a cross section of cultures and faiths, but share a common purpose of uplifting communities.
Broadcast from Scientology Media Productions, the Church’s global media center in Los Angeles, the Scientology Network can be streamed at scientology.tv and is available through satellite television, mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms.
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