John Robbins Hosts Film Bold Native on the "Nation's #1 Domestic Terrorist Threat."

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY - THURSDAY NOVEMBER 18 - John Robbins, best-selling author, activist and former heir to the Baskin-Robbins ice cream empire, will host the San Francisco premier of the independent feature film Bold Native, the first fiction film about the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), a non-centralized group of animal liberators and economic saboteurs that the FBI calls their top domestic terrorist priority. The San Francisco screening concludes an independently booked summer tour by Bold Native which brought the film to capacity audiences in Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, Washington DC, Des Moines, and New York City. The film will screen for one night only this Thursday, November 18th at 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Red Vic Movie House, 1727 Haight Street, San Francisco.

A preview of the Bold Native trailer is available at this url - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB0ITQfWjfk

In Bold Native, Charlie Cranehill (newcomer Joaquin Pastor), an ALF member wanted by the government for domestic terrorism, emerges from the underground to coordinate a nationwide action, while his CEO father (Randolph Mantooth, Emergency) tries to find him before the FBI does. Simultaneously, a young idealist campaigns for more humane treatment of farmed animals on behalf of a large non-profit organization, and a woman from Charlie’s past threatens to undermine his plans.

“Bold Native is the controversial story of young adults who just can’t sit by and stay silent in the face of massive cruelty to animals. Unwilling to passively succumb to resignation and despair, they take a stand, not just with their words, but with their actions. Some might see them as threats to society, others might admire them as self-sacrificing heroes, but no one could see this remarkable film and not gain a greater understanding of what courage really means.” Robbins said.

The film reflects a growing cultural debate about the use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment, and scientific research. It introduces viewers to the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA) of 2006, a law which enables the prosecution of activists as terrorists if their actions result in economic damage to corporations in animal industries like factory farms, slaughterhouses, research labs or fur farms. In addition to narrative storytelling, the film incorporates undercover footage from labs, farms, and real-life animal liberations for stunning realism.

Secret industry newsletter "Extremist Watch" warns it's pharmaceutical and agri-business clients that Bold Native can be expected to "inspire and recruit more activists to the animal rights movement."

“The animal rights movement is unique both in seeking to endow rights to sentient beings currently classified as property, and in terms of government targeting, indicting and imprisoning activists, even for involvement in above-ground, constitutionally protected protest activity,” said producer Casey Suchan. “The ALF does break the law, but they outright forbid any action that might cause harm to humans or non-humans – a track record unmatched by even the FBI itself.”

At the New York City premier, media mogul Russell Simmons called the film “creative, fun, impassioned and entertaining” and former NBA star John Salley called it “the best movie I’ve seen all year!”

“Bold Native is first and foremost an adventure story about people who risk their freedom for the lives of the innocent and defenseless,” said writer/director Denis Hennelly. “While it’s a film about a serious subject, it’s also a celebration of life, so it has a sense of humor and playfulness that people don’t expect.”

Robbins will introduce both screenings of the film. Following each screening, animal liberation activist Jake Conroy, a SHAC7 co-defendent who served three years for nonviolent activism that targeted an animal research lab, will say a few words followed by a Q&A with filmmakers and cast. Advance tickets - available at http://www.redvicmoviehouse.com/show.php?pageid=1015 - are highly encouraged.