Kickstarter

Dear Wonderfully Patient (perhaps now getting rather impatient) Friends,

Apologies for the delay in sending you the NLC DVD. Here is what is happening. This is since September 2012, when I was getting ready to press the consumer DVDs.

Bullfrog Films have picked up the film for educational distribution. The negotiations started in approximately October 2012. I signed the contract in January 2013. They want to sell to universities at an educational price -- i.e. with a license to show to non-paying audiences. Therefore, they ask that I not send out the consumer DVD (which is what I would send you) until January 2014.

I am in debt to the tune of $20,000 for the film, so I have to sell as many copies through Bullfrog as I can. That is the main way I can recoup my losses. FYI,  I also have a "Donate Now" button on my website so if you feel you want to give more to this project in order that I may spread the word even more about the film, please feel free to go ahead! http://nothinglikechocolate.com/support.php

I really hate this set of delays -- please forgive me. That being said, I also have to recoup my losses, and Bullfrog, therefore, wanted me to promise them that I won't undermine educational sales by sending out consumer DVDs now. This makes sense to me -- and I hope it allows you to better understand this series of delays.

I have attached the cover for the DVD FYI -- so you can see the film is doing very well on the Film Festival circuit, for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Again, my deepest apologies for this delay until January 2014. Please do write back with your thoughts/complaints/ideas.

Cheers for now, Kum-Kum

Dear Friends

It has just been confirmed that my film will screen in Malibu, California (please see below) on the above date. I know this is very short notice, but if you are in LA, please do come to the screening. And if you are not in LA, please do send this message to everyone you can think of!

I think I also mentioned that I have signed a contract with Bullfrog Films for Educational Distribution starting as of now'ish. I am very pleased (indeed I am honoured) as they are the finest educational distributor in the USA (and perhaps in the world!). However, this means I cannot send out consumer DVDs until mid July 2013, at the earliest. But you may, of course, come to any screenings you can. But then I will send you your copy.

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Sunday, December 9, 4:30PM (Note earlier time) 

 Screening of NOTHING LIKE CHOCOLATE 

with filmmaker Kum Kum Bhavnani for Q & A 

 Deep in the rain forests of Grenada, anarchist chocolate-maker Mott Green operates an unusual chocolate factory that turns out delicious creations unknown to a world saturated with industrially produced cocoa. Nothing like Chocolate, a documentary narrated by Susan Sarandon, tells the moving story of the relentless and headstrong Mott Green, founder of the Grenada Chocolate Company, as he pursues his unique vision to create the best chocolate in the world. See how the smallest chocolate factory in the world is doing enormous things for cocoa communities, and the world's sweet tooth. http://nothinglikechocolate.com/ 

 I am a university professor by day and a filmmaker by night. I have lived on a few continents in my life, but have been settled in California for the last 20 years, via India and London. I live with my two fabulous children, Cerina and Amal (see if you can spot them at the end of the trailer!), and my equally fabulous partner, John. My first film was the feature documentary, The Shape of Water, narrated by Susan Sarandon (www.theshapeofwatermovie.com), which screened in Istanbul, Rome, Barcelona, London, Toronto, San Francisco, Washington DC, and Abu Dhabi. The Shape of Water won a number of awards including Best Documentary (Queen’s International Film Festival and Miami Women’s International Film Festival), the World Cinema Award (DC Independent Film Festival), and Best Director (San Francisco Women’s Film Festival), as well as two HUGO awards. The Shape of Water was also selected as the centerpiece for the Human Rights section at the 2008 Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi. After the screening, I was on a panel with Susan Sarandon, discussing human rights in relation to the film. Imagine how pleased I was with that event! In making The Shape of Water, I discovered how much I love making films – from concept right up to the final push in post-production. Films reach a much wider audience than do academic books and articles, and as a medium for social justice and changing the world, films have a different and, at times, a very immediate impact. That is why I now make films: to try to speed up process of social justice. I am very passionate about my new film Nothing Like Chocolate. Knowing the harsh conditions faced by the people, often children, who harvest cocoa in West Africa and elsewhere around the world, I knew I had to spread the word about how all of this might be done differently. My hope is that this story will help inspire a new generation of people also passionate for change. – Kum-Kum Bhavnani

 “Mixing the bitter with the sweet, the factual and the idealistic, the documentaryNothing like Chocolate gives a macro and micro perspective on the beloved sweet stuff. Smartly directed...” – Josef Woodard, Santa Barbara Independent

 “An engaging movie that provokes both the brain and the taste buds.” –Brent Simon, Shockya.com

Date: Sunday, December 9, 2012 Time: 430PM 4PM to see the Hieroglyph of the Human Soul Location: Olandar, Home of Carla and Leigh McCloskey in Malibu,CA 

RSVP as Space is Limited Donation: $15. 

For address, more information and RSVP: Please email: carlamccloskey@aol.com or call 310-457-5398

Dear Friends

I wanted to let you know that my film will screen at the Ritzy, Brixton, in London, tomorrow, 8th October. Please send good vibes. If you can be there please let me know so I can be sure to save you a seat.

I have also, this past week, signed a contract with Bullfrog Films for educational distribution, and will produce consumer DVDs by early January. I will then send one to each of you.

Thanks, as always, for your generous and strong support.

Love

Kum-Kum

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UK premiere: NOTHING LIKE CHOCOLATE, narrated by Susan Sarandon 

Directed by Kum-Kum Bhavnani http://NothingLikeChocolate.com 

 Monday 8th October 7 pm 

The Ritzy Cinema, Brixton, London 

NOTHING LIKE CHOCOLATE offers the compelling and intimate stories of anarchist chocolate-maker, Mott Green, founder of the Grenada Chocolate Company Co-operative and independent cocoa farmer, Nelice Stewart. This tree-to-bar factory co-operative, claimed to be the smallest in the world, turns out luscious creations that are organic and ethical. In a world saturated with industrial chocolate – often made with cocoa harvested by exploited child labour in West Africa – this factory, working alongside farmers like Nelice, turns out a deliciously radical experience. 

Q and A with Kum-Kum Bhavnani (Director) and Mott Green (a lead character) 

FREE!!!!!!