Waiting for Superman in the Classroom
Academy Award-winning director Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) delivers another provocative film experience with his inspirational examination of American public education in “Waiting for Superman,” arriving on Blu-ray and DVD Feb. 15, 2011 from Paramount Home Entertainment.
Named the Best Documentary of the year by the National Board of Review, and cited by the American Film Institute as one of the year’s best movies, “Waiting for Superman” was called “an electrifying call to action” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone), and has launched a movement to achieve real and lasting change in the U.S. schools.
[ Also Read: What Companies Do for Kids’ Education ]The film depicts the moving and poignant struggles of real-life students and their families and the efforts of educators and reformers who are working to find viable solutions within a dysfunctional system.
“Waiting for Superman” is a Paramount Pictures release of a Participant Media presentation in association with Walden Media. The film is written by Davis Guggenheim & Billy Kimball.
[ Also Read: Kids Must Read to Succeed and Lead ]“I think that every kid, no matter where they are born or what they have been given in life, deserves a great education and a piece of the American dream. The idea of education reform becomes a lot less abstract and a lot more compelling when you see these beautiful kids and realize all their potential,” said director Davis Guggenheim.
“Now there are reformers out there who are defying the odds and proving it’s entirely possible to create outstanding schools even in the most troubled neighborhoods. That’s what drove me to tell this story and to make this movie.”
[ Also Read: Target to Give $1 Billion in Support of Education ]In addition to the inspirational film, the Blu-ray and DVD feature four additional stories of real students and teachers, commentary by Davis Guggenheim and Lesley Chilcott, and a conversation with Davis Guggenheim.
The offer includes the making of John Legend’s original song “Shine,” which was composed specifically for the film, a look at what’s changed in education since the movie was filmed and more.
[ Also Read: Raman’s Tech Tale Series: Knowledge Stories for Children ]As part of an effort to assist viewers in finding a way to make a difference in public schools, DonorsChoose.org will give consumers a $25 credit for each “Waiting for Superman” Blu-ray or DVD purchase that can be donated to any classroom project listed on DonorsChoose.org.
In addition, Paramount Home Entertainment will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each DVD and Blu-ray to Get Schooled, an independent non-profit organization founded by Viacom and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The announcement was made today, Dec. 23.
