CROSSING OUR BORDERS WINS ‘BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE’ AT HOBOKEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) June 16, 2010 -- June 11, 2010 - TEANECK, NJ - Crossing Our Borders, narrated by Hollywood Actress Maria Conchita Alonso, won 'Best Documentary Feature' award at the Hoboken International Film Festival Awards Gala last night. The documentary premiered at the Festival in Teaneck New Jersey on June 5th, where Maria Conchita Alonso and independent filmmaker Gladys Bensimon also had a heated Q&A session with the film’s audience about the issues surrounding Latin America, and in particular, Venezuela.

Crossing Our Borders delves into the problems that have faced Latin-America for more than 100 years - corrupt governments and dictators who perpetuate their power indefinitely forcing thousands to flee their countries to the United States and other nations, with the most recent example being Hugo Chavez in Venezuela.

“Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez is the most recent example of how the breakdown of democratic government creates an insidious stew of fear in the citizens of various Latin American countries causing them to flee,” said Bensimon. “We analyze why more than 600,000 professionals and middle class citizens have fled Venezuela over the past 8 years under Chavez’s regime and what this means for the US.”

Bensimon started this project more than two years ago and said the film is fueled by personal motivation, as she is a native of Caracas, Venezuela. “I have seen what is really going on in Venezuela, a beautiful country that is rich with resources and natural wealth.”

Bensimon used donated footage from various human rights organizations and Latin American governments as she had a very limited budget to create and produce the film. “I am incredibly thankful for the support of everyone who helped with footage, interviews, and of course to the HIFF for selecting my film.”

Narrator Maria Conchita Alonso was born in Cuba but was raised in Caracas, Venezuela. As an activist, she is known for being strongly against Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, and recently received much media attention for her open letter to Sean Penn, criticizing his support for Chavez.

“For me it is very important to use my voice to somehow help the political prisoners in Venezuela,” said Alonso on making the film. “It is very important to speak up because I see the children of my friends, the children of my nieces and nephews growing up in a country where they are going to be indoctrinated…and I can’t accept that.”

Director Oliver Stone premiered his pro-Chavez documentary South of the Border at the Venice Film Festival last year. Stone started work on South of the Border fresh from the release of his biopic of U.S. president George W. Bush, after visiting Chavez in 2008. Stone’s documentary favorably portrays the leader.
“Let Venezuelans speak about what Chavez is doing,” said Bensimon. “Let the families of the political prisoners speak. Let the people speak. Since Chavez doesn’t let them in Venezuela, I am doing what I can to give them a voice here in the US.”
Since Crossing Our Borders premiered last week, Bensimon and Alonso have been contacted by hundreds of Venezuelans and human rights activists with words of thanks and encouragement.
HBR Productions say there are plans for Miami, Los Angeles, and D.C premieres as well.

The documentary is available in both English and in Spanish. To see a list of experts involved, or for more information about purchasing the documentary or an upcoming premiere, please visit www.crossingourborders.com.
press@crossingourborders.com

dictators     Hugo Chavez     Venezuela