Genius Products Presents a Timely and Thought-Provoking Film Direct From the Front Lines of One of Today's Most Divisive Issues

Genius Products Presents a Timely and Thought-Provoking Film Direct From the Front Lines of One of Today's Most Divisive Issues

COCHISE COUNTY, USA - CRIES FROM THE BORDER

Arriving on DVD May 2, 2006, Controversial Documentary Includes Extraordinary Footage of Actual Border Crossings and Interviews With Those on Both Sides of the Battle Over Illegal Immigration

LOS ANGELES, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- As politicians argue over proposed changes to immigration laws and Homeland Security struggles to protect the U.S., a quiet rural community in Arizona has become Ground Zero for the undocumented alien invasion. So says the controversial and thought-provoking documentary COCHISE COUNTY, USA -- CRIES FROM THE BORDER arriving on DVD May 2, 2006 from Genius Products. Produced, directed and written by Cochise County resident and filmmaker Mercedes Maharis, the shockingly gritty film explores the real life impact of this national tragedy on border communities. Though home to only 130,000 permanent residents, Cochise County sees as many as one million illegal immigrants cross its borders into the U.S. each year and is the birthplace of the first Minuteman Project. Providing a balanced exploration of the complex and multi-faceted problem of regulating illegal immigration, the DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $19.98.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/LATU069)

Through interviews with elected officials, residents, activists, border patrol, volunteer civil defense and even immigrants themselves, this extraordinary film highlights the grim reality of the cultural clashes and escalating danger that human trafficking leaves in its wake. These vivid first-hand accounts reveal the frustration and abandonment felt by those closest to the struggle as the film tackles politically charged issues including drug trafficking, terrorist threats, the environmental impact of border protection, as well as the economic and social consequences of vast numbers of undocumented aliens entering the U.S. COCHISE COUNTY, USA -- CRIES FROM THE BORDER was one of only 25 films selected from submissions from around the world for the Liberty Film Festival in 2005.

About Genius Products, Inc.

Genius Products, Inc. (BULLETIN BOARD: GNPI) , one of the industry's fastest growing independent home entertainment distributors, produces and distributes an ever-expanding library of home entertainment products including DVDs and CDs. Sold in retail outlets nationwide under such well-known brands as Wellspring, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment(TM), NBC News, TV Guide(R) and Baby Genius(R), the company's products are distributed through the Genius Products Branded Distribution Network, an extensive, proprietary distribution network that extends throughout the U.S. to mass, drugstore, supermarket and specialty retailers.

Genius Products boasts a premiere management team comprised of seasoned executives from major Hollywood studios, who have steered the company into the forefront of the industry through their landmark distribution deal with The Weinstein Company.

Upcoming films planned for release by Genius Products include films by The Weinstein Company such as HOODWINKED, an updated retelling of the classic story of Red Riding Hood with the voices of Anne Hathaway, Glenn Close, and Jim Belushi; MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS, starring Judi Dench and Bob Hoskins; WOLF CREEK, an Australian horror film, THE MATADOR, starring Pierce Brosnan; DOOGAL, a comical animated adventure with the voices of Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart and Willliam H. Macy: and THE LIBERTINE, starring Johnny Depp. Potential new releases include sequels to SIN CITY, SCARY MOVIE, KILL BILL and TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES.

COCHISE COUNTY, USA - CRIES FROM THE BORDER
Price: $19.98
Street Date: May 2, 2006
Running Time: 80 minutes
Catalog Number: 78539
MPAA Rating: Not rated

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060418/LATU069
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN1
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: Genius Products, Inc.

CONTACT: Shawna Lynch, shawna_lynch@bhimpact.com, or Sarah Gumina,
sarah_gumina@bhimpact.com, both of BENDER/HELPER IMPACT, +1-310-473-4147, for
Genius Products, Inc.; or Steve Wegner of Genius Products, Inc.,
steve.wegner@geniusproducts.com

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