'Back Door Channels' To Open 49th Monte Carlo Television Festival

'Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace', an original production of New York-based Channel Production Films has been selected to open the 49th Monte-Carlo Television Festival, CEO David Tomatis has announced.
'Back Door Channels' provides a glimpse into the recent past as it unravels the intrigue and egos behind the landmark 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt - a treaty recently put to the test as violence erupted along their borders with the conflict in Gaza.
The 49th Monte-Carlo Television Festival, under the honorary presidency of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco, will be held between June 7-11, 2009.
The Opening Ceremony and World Premiere of 'Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace' is scheduled for Sunday June 7. This is the first time the Monte-Carlo Television Festival is opening with a documentary film.
'Back Door Channels' takes it name from the immensely important yet seldom understood role that unofficial back channels of communications, often through third-party countries and private businessmen, played in securing the peace between Israel and Egypt. The film's producers conducted in-depth interviews with many of the original participants from the first historic peace process, including former US President Jimmy Carter and many other world leaders.
Tomatis said: "We are extremely honoured to present this film for its international premiere screening. Channel Production Films has a long history of award winning programs which is for us the guarantee of quality production. This is a story that would make for gripping fiction, if only it was not true. As Camp David celebrates its 30-year anniversary, we are proud to be opening this year's festival with a film dedicated to the peace treaty that has become one of the cornerstones shaping the dynamics of the 21st Century Middle East."
Arick Wierson, one of the film's executive producers, said: "We are thrilled to be premiering 'Back Door Channels' in Monte-Carlo. This incredible city, together with the people from around the globe who attend the Festival, create the ideal setting for the debut of a film that is taking on such an important and timely topic. The parallels to today, with an ambitious new Democratic President in the White House dealing with tempers flaring across the Middle East, are uncanny."
Matthew Tollin, another executive producer of 'Back Door Channels', added: "This is really the first documentary film to go in depth, behind the scenes, and into the heads of the men who carved out an impossible peace from land pock-marked with centuries of violence and upheaval. With never before seen footage and riveting interviews, our film tells the story of how, despite their outsized egos, personal ideologies and religious convictions, sworn enemies, each facing immense political pressures at home, laid down their arms and embraced peace."
The 'Back Door Channels' international production team, guided by veteran producer Vered Kollek, criss-crossed the Globe as principal photography was conducted in New York, Washington, Atlanta, Paris, Vienna, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Cairo and in the Sinai, providing a rich and stunning visual backdrop to this epic story.
The five-day Monte-Carlo Television Festival will take place at the Grimaldi Forum of Monaco and will be attended by talent and professionals from the creative areas of television throughout the world. Other highlights of the 49th Monte-Carlo Television Festival include the international television program competition and Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony, premiere screenings, glamourous receptions and parties organised by some of the major European networks and studios which all contribute to the magical atmosphere of Monaco. Each year, hundreds of journalists from around the world are present to cover this unique international television festival attended by the creative forces of the industry.
(KMcA/BMcC)