Bishop T. D. Jakes' Film Adaptation of Best-Selling Book Woman Thou Art Loosed Makes World Television Premiere on BET

Bishop T. D. Jakes' Film Adaptation of Best-Selling Book Woman Thou Art Loosed Makes World Television Premiere on BET

Saga of Abuse, Poverty, Addiction and Spiritual Rebirth Starring Kimberly Elise, Clifton Powell, Loretta Devine and Debbie Morgan Televises on December 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most spiritually-uplifting feature films in recent memory is coming to BET this month. Woman Thou Art Loosed, a powerful two-hour movie adaptation of religious leader Bishop T. D. Jakes' self-help novel of the same title, makes its world television premiere on December 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT exclusively on BET. The film stars Kimberly Elise (Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Manchurian Candidate), Clifton Powell (Ray, Friday After Next), Loretta Devine (Crash, King's Ransom), Debbi Morgan (Coach Carter, Love & Basketball) and "America's Preacher" Bishop Jakes himself. BET negotiated the deal with Magnolia Pictures to televise the film, and is also in talks with Jakes to develop other projects. The telecast of the film marks a first for BET, which secured the rights to premiere Woman Thou Art Loosed prior to its release on premium cable.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051208/NYTH060 )

"Woman Thou Art Loosed is an unflinching look at real life, which makes its message of redemption even more powerful," said Reginald Hudlin, BET President of Entertainment. "We are proud to show this important contribution to independent film."

The storyline of Woman Thou Art Loosed grasps every emotion in chronicling triumph over tragedy and low self-esteem. Michelle Jordan (Kimberly Elise) is a young woman raised in a devastating home life riddled with abuse and molestation at the hands of her mother's boyfriend (Clifton Powell) -- a situation that her mother Cassie (Loretta Devine) unwittingly condones. Her destructive pathway leads Michelle to jail and a life-changing connection with Bishop Jakes. Critics rave about the award-winning film's sensitive, thought-provoking treatment of issues that touch the lives of men, women and children everyday. It delivers a resounding message of victory over despair against a backdrop of seemingly insurmountable odds.

"I am proud that BET has chosen to share the Woman, Thou Art Loosed story with its viewers, and excited that the tremendous influence of the BET family is being levied at both entertaining and inspiring its audience," said Bishop Jakes. "Woman Thou Art Loosed is a gripping dramatization of a woman whose pain reflects many people's reality. Its powerful theme, though Christian-based, is relevant to a whole generation of people who often look the other way about the crucial issue of abuse."

Reuben Cannon, the film's producer added, "Woman Thou Art Loosed is a special film because of its unique ability to entertain and heal."

Last year when the film made its theatrical debut, critics raved about the standout performance from Elise as the movie's complex, but relatable protagonist. Hollywood Reporter noted "Particularly fine is Elise, who provides her character with a highly realistic blend of vulnerability and toughness," while the Washington Post uses the term "mesmerizing" to describe Elise's starring turn. The film won several key awards, scoring three NAACP Image Awards, "Best Film" at the American Black Film Festival, "Best American Film" at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and two nominations for Independent Spirit Awards. Woman Thou Art Loosed was also a hit at the box office, debuting at #6 in its opening weekend with an impressive $2.35 million gross on only 408 screens.

BET will televise encore presentations of this must-see film on Saturday, December 17 at 11 p.m. ET/PT; Sunday, December 18 at 1 p.m. ET/PT; and Monday, December 26 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

ABOUT BET

BET, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B), is the nation's leading television network providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs programming for the African-American audience. The BET Network reaches more than 80 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is a dominant consumer brand in the urban marketplace with a diverse group of branded businesses: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks -- BET Jazz, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; and BET Event Productions, specializing in a full range of event production services, including event management, venue selection, talent recruitment, sound, lighting and stage production.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051208/NYTH060
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: BET (Black Entertainment Television)

CONTACT: Tosha Whitten-Griggs, +1-818-655-6712, or
tosha.whitten-griggs@bet.net ; or Zabrina Horton, +1-818-655-6737, or
Zabrina.horton@bet.net , both for BET (Black Entertainment Television)

Web site: http://www.bet.com/

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