Al Gomez Productions (agp)
For Immediate Release
New Orleans Hurricane Katrina documentary
REFUGE OF LAST RESORT released
Nationwide on dvd Dec. 5, 2006
LOS ANGELES December 4, 2006 - Al Gomez Productions (AGP) announces the nationwide DVD release of a James L. Bills documentary film Refuge Of Last Resort, New Orleans' only feature length documentary from a first person perspective. As a video diary, Refuge of Last Resort tells a harrowing story of how James took his family to a "Hurricane proof" building in the heart of New Orleans to save them from the ravaging effects of Hurricane Katrina, only to find themselves and thousands of others trapped in the city with no food and water, no emergency services, and no help on the way!
James, a New Orleans resident and local filmmaker, was in pre-production on a feature film when the news that one of the most powerful storms in recorded history was heading his way, "We didn't have the resources to get out of the city in time. So, we grabbed our kids, animals, as much food as we could carry, and went straight to a downtown hotel". Bills had the wherewithal to take his hi-definition video camera with him, and once his family was safely secured, he began to 'document' their ordeal. "We couldn't fathom that New Orleans was going to get hit head on, and neither did many others. As we roamed the streets only hours before the storm hit, people were partaking in hurricane parties in the French Quarter", he relates. "They really didn't know what was coming their way."
Refuge of Last Resort also details the experiences of Gabriel Black, Ariel Pietrello, and Frankie Riley, all residents of New Orleans and the surrounding areas where the flooding first occurred. They each tell their horrifying stories of trying to survive the man made catastrophe after the storm had subsided. In the film Black is interviewed as he holds tightly onto a loaded shotgun and relates, "We soon ran out of food. After a couple of days there was no drinkable water, and the electricity had gone out right after the hurricane. Every night was a dark night. We found ourselves having to survive by whatever means necessary".
The exhausted Ariel Pietrello nervously recalls, "Anarchy broke out in the city. Hundreds of looters took to the streets searching first for food and water, then in a complete frenzy… began to assault anyone who appeared helpless." Frankie Riley, a Chalmette resident only blocks away from a broken levee, sadly speaks of how she and her family suffered from the beginning, "The water came so fast, that we only had minutes to escape. We were lucky that a neighbor came by in a boat, or we all would've drowned!"
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Although they were in a 21st Century American city, they found themselves living like refugees from the Dark Ages. It's only with the raw instinct to survive did they discover the will and means to make sure water was found, food secured, and their families protected. With only a few voices that will speak for thousands who will never get the chance, Refuge Of Last Resort is a film that will serve as a reminder of how this could have happened anywhere in the United States, and how we should deal with the best and the worst in all of us!
For more detailed information, as well as media clips of the film, please visit the Refuge Of Last Resort website at http://www.refugeoflastresort.net
About the Distributor
Founded in 1999, Southern California-based Anthem Pictures develops, produces and distributes original content for all aspects of media: television programming, DVD, feature films, documentaries, short subject and music videos.
A team consisting of some of the best and brightest producers in Hollywood, Anthem seamlessly merges technology with engaging programming. "We are filmmakers distributing films, a group of creative pioneers who see the value of the independent market and take actions to sell those titles worldwide. We are the home of Independents." Please visit Anthem’s website at www.anthemdvd.com
About the Filmmakers
Al Gomez Productions is a Los Angeles based feature film and commercial production company with twenty-five years of creative and production experience. Director James L. Bills is a leading commercial director from New Orleans, who has managed multiple national accounts while pursuing a career in feature film direction.
AGP Press Contacts
Al Gomez James L. Bills
AGP/Los Angeles AGP/Corpus Christi
al.gomez3@verizon.net
jamesbinnola@yahoo.com
http://www.refugeoflastresort.net
For Immediate Release
KATRINA DOCUMENTARY REFUGE OF LAST RESORT CREATES STIR AT TEXAS AID STATION
CORPUS CHRISTI – March 6, 2006 – While waiting to receive job training at a Texas Workforce Commission building in Corpus Christi, a number of Hurricane Katrina evacuees were surprised by an impromptu screening of something they had never anticipated, they thought they would ever see… someone telling their story about surviving Hurricane Katrina. “It told the truth”, said Jack C., a New Orleans resident, now displaced and living in Corpus Christi, “James told it like it was and it was about time somebody did.” Refuge of Last Resort tells a harrowing story of how New Orleans resident James L. Bills took his family to a ‘hurricane proof’ building in the heart of New Orleans' Central Business District to save them from the ravaging effects of Hurricane Katrina. The documentary also shared the experiences of Gabriel Black, his friend Ariel Pietrello, and Bills’ family friend Frankie Riley, all residents of New Orleans and the surrounding areas where the flooding first occurred. They each tell their horrifying stories of trying to survive the man made catastrophe after the storm had subsided.
Wiping away tears, Belinda K., a former teacher and mother of five from Metairie, Louisiana couldn’t help but relate, “Hearing what they had to go through… looking for food and water… keeping their kids out of harm’s way… where was the government when they needed help? It brought back painful memories.” Standing nearby, listening intently was Norm T., who responded, “It just wasn’t right. All that happened down there didn’t have to. Where was FEMA? Where was Nagin? Blanco? President Bush? They were taking care of themselves.” Norm pauses for a moment, nods and continues,” It was good to see him [Bills] and his family walking toward a better life. Gives others hope that the same will happen to them.”
After the documentary ended, the appreciative audience applauded, then stood and gave him a standing ovation. Bills, “I just finished it [the documentary] recently, and didn’t know how others would react. If I never get a dime for it, sharing it with everyone today, and seeing how it touched them was worth going through what me and my family endured. I know that each and every one of these people have a story to tell about how they survived and why they’re here in Corpus Christi instead of being back in their homes. It seems like they connected with mine, and I feel very lucky that my voice can speak for them. ”
Composed entirely with James L. Bills’ original Hi Def footage, Refuge Of Last Resort is being considered for entry at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival 2006 in Durham, N.C., the premier documentary film festival in the United States. For more detailed information, as well as media clips of the film, please visit the Refuge Of Last Resort website at http://www.refugeoflastresort.net
About the Filmmakers:
Al Gomez Productions is a Los Angeles based feature film and commercial production company with twenty-five years of creative and production experience. Director James L. Bills is a leading commercial director from New Orleans, who has managed multiple national accounts while pursuing a career in feature film direction.
AGP Press Contacts
Al Gomez
AGP/Los Angeles AGP
562-843-9026
al.gomez3@verizon.net
http://www.refugeoflastresort.net
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