Editor's blog

James Hanlon and Darren Capik in association with their production company PikLon Entertainment today announced that their controversial documentary “POPWHORE - A New American Dream won two major awards at this summer's New York International Independent Film and Video Festival (NYIIFVF). The documentary received the prestigious Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary and James Hanlon was the recipient of the award for Best Director of a Documentary. This marks the 11th accolade for Hanlon, a retired FDNY firefighter turned filmmaker, who won a string of awards for the documentary 9/11, including an Emmy, a Peabody and the Edward R Morrow award.

Over 250 films screened in competition at this year's NYIIFVF including 60 high-quality documentaries from all over the globe. POPWHORE - A New American Dream explores the life choices of a young wife and mother with no money who decides to start a Porn Website starring herself in search of fame and fortune. The film follows San Francisco-based Tatum Reed AKA "POPWHORE" on a 12 month journey with her family pursuing the "American Dream." Along the way the film shows a 360' view of the current sexual fabric of America including interviews with members of the Christian Right, The ACLU, Sex Therapists and Adult Performers and intermingled with footage shot on location in San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles. The film ends its final chapter with POPWHORE moving to Beverly Hills with her family seemingly on her way but at what cost?

In a statement prepared by NYIIFVF's Founder/Executive Producer Stuart Alson, “The awards recognize the achievements of our independent filmmakers and I am extremely pleased for James Hanlon. POPWHORE was very well directed and possessed all the essential components of a compelling documentary. Its sensationalist and controversial subject matter really had an impact on our New York audiences and the Jury are all in agreement that James Hanlon is an ambitious, versatile and perceptive filmmaker and a deserving winner. I feel confident that we will be seeing more great projects from James in the future.”

Hanlon who co-produced the film with Darren Capik made the film to “show the human drama that comes from the very difficult choices an individual makes in their life and how these choices can impact and shape the futures of everyone around them.”

"I feel very honored to have won two major awards, said James Hanlon. The New York International Independent Film and Video Festival was a perfect place for POPWHORE's world debut and it was very interesting to observe a New York audience, " said Hanlon.

Producer Darren Capik commented, “We knew we had a well made controversial film and it was validated with the polarized audience response. Nearly everybody had a strong opinion on the subjects' choices and relationships with debates raging in the lobby afterwards, as documentary filmmakers you can't ask for more.”

POPWHORE had a sold out world premiere and a press screening at City Cinemas Village East and received favorable reviews from NYC media, including film critic Gerald Wright who said, “Hanlon does an excellent Job of exploring the mixed feelings of the subjects involved in this chaotic lifestyle.” Show Business Weekly's Christopher Zara wrote, “James Hanlon once again shows that he does not shy away from controversy." POPWHORE was mentioned twice in the popular celebrity gossip column Rush and Molloy in the NY Daily News and on the Howard Stern Show and Access Hollywood.

NYIIFVF known as “the voice of indie film” took place from July 19-26th, 2007 and was attended by over 10,000 filmmakers, press, distributors, festival delegates and indie film lovers. A complete list of winners are posted at www.nyfilmvideo.com.

For further information about POPWHORE - A New American Dream, please contact James Hanlon at 917 821 9018 or Darren Capik at 310 729 6938.