May 30, 2002
MIRAMAX ACQUIRES THE RIGHTS TO THE THIRD FILM IN THE QATSI TRILOGY "NAQOYQATSI"

Non-Narrative Film Being Presented by Miramax and Steven Soderbergh

Miramax Films has acquired the worldwide rights to "NAQOYQATSI," produced by Lawrence Taub and Joe Beirne and directed by Godfry Reggio, it was announced today by Miramax co-president of production Bob Osher. Steven Soderbergh is the executive producer of the project, which is being presented by Miramax and Soderbergh. Philip Glass composed the music, which features renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma, for "NAQOYQATSI."

"NAQOYQATSI," a non-narrative film that chronicles the transition of the natural world to a "new" nature, a world consumed by technology and violence. It is the third film of The QATSI Trilogy, which included "POWAQQATSI" and "KOYAANISQATSI".

"NAQOYQATSI" was financed by Miramax, Steven Soderbergh, and the Institute for Regional Education and its affiliated Fund for Change, which were also were responsible for developing the project.

"This project would have never happened without Reggio's creativity and vision and Steven's support," said Bob Osher. "This is the type of Independent film that Miramax has always supported. We are happy to be part of such an artistic project."

"Godfrey Reggio has created yet another landmark film," said Steven Soderbergh. "NAQOYQATSI is an explosion of ideas and imagery; a riveting, rigorous, provocative, and breathtaking exploration of how wešve allowed technology to infiltrate our everyday lives. Once again, Harvey Weinstein proves that in addition to being a champion of independent cinema, Miramax Films is both fearless and prescient."

"Philip Glass and myself are honored and most thankful for the trust we have received from Steven Soderbergh and Harvey Weinstein to finance and complete a dream come true, the last film of the QATSI Trilogy, NAQOYQATSI," said Godfrey Reggio. "To embrace a non-narrative film, a poetic cinema of image and music, is by our reckoning, no small miracle."

Osher and Eric Roth, svp of business and legal affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Miramax. Pat Dollard and Mike Adler negotiated on behalf of Soderbergh. Taub negotiated on behalf the Institute for Regional Education/Fund for Change.

Godfrey Reggio, along with Philip Glass, developed the distinctive film style of "concert cinema," which fuses poetic images and original music to create works of extraordinary emotive impact for audiences worldwide. Reggio is prominent in the film world for his QATSI films, which posit technology as the new and comprehensive global environment -- "the new nature." Reggio, who spent 14 years in silence, prayer and teaching while a monk in the Catholic Church, has a history of working with street gangs and of service for social, economic and environmental justice, from the neighborhood level to the global stage.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR REGIONAL EDUCATION

Since its inception, in 1973, the Institute for Regional Education, has been dedicated to promoting and providing information and resources to the general public. Beginning with a major public-interest advertising campaign in 1974 (in conjunction with the American Civil Liberties Foundation), a primary focus of the IRE has been public media and outreach including everything from community-based video, to public art and sculpture displays, to the creation and production of the feature films KOYAANISQATSI (1982), POWAQQATSI (1988) and NAQOYQATSI (2002) as well as the short film ANIMA MUNDI (1991), made for the Worldwide Fund for Nature as part of its Biological Diversity campaign.

Another emphasis has been research, and research training for non-profit and community-based groups, as well as for investigative and other journalists. A further focus includes the providing of technical assistance and support through organizational, administrative, and fund-raising expertise to nonprofit organizations together with serving as advisors to foundations and other donors on issues, potential grantees and managing philanthropic funds.

For more information, please contact the organizationšs President, Steve Goldin at ire@nets.com.

Koyaanisqatsi Added to the National Film Registry
December 31, 2000

KOYAANISQATSI joined an elite list of classic American films when it was added to the National Film Registry. Each year, the Library of Congress chooses 25 "culturally, historically, and aesthetically" significant films to be preserved in its archive system. Fully 50% of all films produced before 1950 have been lost forever due to deterioration of the film stock. The Library of Congress has identified the inducted films as worthy of preservation due to their cultural significance.

Dr. James Billington, Librarian of Congress said, "Our film heritage is America's living past. It celebrates the creativity and inventiveness of diverse communities and our nation as a whole. By preserving American films, we safeguard our history and build toward the future."

"We are honored to be included this year with the likes of "Apocalypse Now", "Dracula", and "Goodfellas" on this prestigious list," said Lawrence Taub, one of the producers of KOYAANISQATSI and POWAQQATSI. "This news comes as we are beginning the production of NAQOYQATSI, the third in the trilogy of films started by Godfrey Reggio in 1975. This wonderful recognition helps and inspires us as we move forward with the third part of our QATSI Project."

For more information and to see the complete list of films in the Registry, please click on the link below:

http://lcweb.loc.gov/film/filmnfr.html