EP generated unprecedented distribution success with Coverup,
using contacts developed during distribution of EP's first
two films, Destination Nicaragua and Viva La Paz.
The film has won numerous awards and critical acclaim:
The Los Angeles Times calls Coverup
"chillingly lucid and consistent." The Chicago Tribune says
It Is "calm.coherent and persuasive...." while the Denver
Post calls It "a challenging piece, very much worth seeing,
no matter whatyour politics."
Coverup exposes several of the most disturbing
chapters in the history of U.S. covert foreign policy. It presents
a tale of politics, drugs, hostages, weapons, assassinations,
covert operations and the ultimate plan to suspend the U.S.Constitution.
Coverup was the first film to reveal the 'October
Surprise' hostage deal (the Reagan/Bush campaigndeal with Iran
to delay the release of the 52 American hostages until after
the 1980 election), and is the only film which presents a comprehensive
overview of the most important stories suppressed during the
Iran Contra hearings. It is the only film that puts the entire
Iran Contra affair into a meaningful political and historical
context. The 1988 film is updated with information from recent
court cases and events, reconfirming much of the material presented.
Coverup won the American Film & Video Association,
Blue Ribbon Award for Best Documentary. Social Issues;National
Education Film & Video Festival, Crystal Apple for Best Documentary,
Social & Political Issues; Golden HugoBest Independent Video,
Chicago International Film Festival; the Prix Du Public for
Best Documentary. Women's International Film Festival (Films
DC Femmes, Paris, France); Gold Award for Best Video Documentary,
Philadelphia International Film Festival Int'l Assn. of Motion
Pictures & TV Producers).
Coverup was released in theaters in 80 cities
across the United States in 1988-89. It was the subject of
200 local radio shows and 150 newspaper articles, including
reviews, news stories, and editorials. In almost every city
where the film showed, the audience participated in a question
and answer/discussion period following each screening, and
a direct action organizing campaign. During the height of
its theatrical release,Coverup was screening
in 35 towns simultaneously, creating a venue for over 150
organizing meetings per week.
Coverup was released to individuals, video
stores, community groups, schools, and libraries through avariety
of distributors. Over 10,000 video copies are now in circulation.
In late 1990, the Central Educational Network (CEN), a regional
PBS distributor, agreed to offer Coverupall
local PBS affiliates during 1991. As a result, stations in
the following state networks and cities haveaired, or plan
to air the program during the 1990-1991 season:
- The states of Connecticut, Nebraska and
Oregon; Denver, El Paso. Fort Wayne. Flint, Indianapolis,
Kansas City.Memphis, Minneapolis/St. Paul. Plainview NY,
Plattsburgh NY. San Bernardino CA, San Francisco, Topeka.
and the U.S.Virgin Islands. KQED in San Francisco was the
first U.S. station to broadcast Coverup in
May 1990. As with eachbroadcast so far, viewer response
to the KQED airing was overwhelmingly positive, called "phenomenal"
by the series programmer.
Coverup has also enjoyed unusual international
attention. Following festival screenings in seven countries.
Coverup has been broadcast in part or whole
in the U.K., the Netherlands. Ireland. Algeria andGermany.
Theatrical and/or educational releases have been secured in
the U.K., France, Canada, AustralNew Zealand, Argentina, Belgium,
Germany, French-speaking Switzerland, Norway and Denmark.
Watch the trailer
1988
Running Time: 72 min
