Black STARZ! Presents the World Premiere of 'Justice' Starring Roger Guenveur Smith and Monica Calhoun

Black STARZ! Presents the World Premiere of 'Justice' Starring Roger Guenveur Smith and Monica Calhoun Film Focuses on Racial Bias in the Criminal Justice System Debuts Friday, December 3, 2004 ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Black STARZ! presents the world premiere of "Justice" before its February theatrical release. Justice, the story of an ambitious lawyer out to change racial bias and a corrupt legal system, premieres on Black STARZ! at 9:35 p.m. et/pt, Friday, December 3, 2004 with additional play dates throughout the month. The film stars Roger Guenveur Smith ("A Huey P. Newton Story," "School Daze") and Monica Calhoun ("The Best Man," "Civil Brand"). Taking a fact-based look at flaws and racial bias in the criminal justice system, "Justice" is a moving and inspirational drama about J.C. Carter (Roger Guenveur Smith) who is not your typical public defender. Under pressure to accept a plea bargain resisted by his street-wise client, Carter stands by his client angering the judge and his boss (Anna Maria Horsford). At home, Carter's wife Sharice (Monica Calhoun), a socialite who grew up in the suburbs, struggles with the challenges and sacrifices of raising two young children in the inner city. Sharice pushes Carter to use her family's connections to get a job in an upscale law firm. Carter leaves the PD's office but not to join a private law firm. Following his conscience, Carter opens a law firm in the inner city to fight against a criminal justice system that prizes efficiency over real justice. When Carter and his team of lawyers and activists launch a controversial campaign targeting the court system, Carter finds himself at the center of a corrupt government scandal. Shot in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, "Justice" was written, produced and directed by Jeanne-Marie Almoner and John Shulman, a husband and wife team of civil rights lawyers. Almoner, who grew up in Brooklyn and attended Harvard Law School, left a career in corporate law to become a civil rights lawyer and activist. The first-time filmmakers were inspired to produce the film to tell the story of what they saw happening to young African American men in the criminal justice system. "We are delighted to partner with Black STARZ! to premiere this film that focuses on civil rights," Almonor said. "'Justice' will be in theaters in major cities across the nation in February. Black STARZ! viewers have a special opportunity to see the movie first." "'Justice' is a powerful film that sends a strong message about the criminal justice system," said Brett Marottoli, director multicultural programming acquisitions. "It brings to light some inescapable truths. At Black STARZ! we like to bring tough, hard, unique stories to the forefront. We hope that our viewers will be uplifted and inspired by this film." "Justice" has been well received at festivals across the country. It was awarded Honorary Mention Best Dramatic Narrative at the 2004 Oakland International Film Festival, was an Official Selection at the 2004 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and was the Opening Night Gala screening at the 2004 Twin Cities Black Film Festival. "Justice" includes a soundtrack from the Grammy(R) award-winning Sounds of Blackness. "Justice" is the first film from Jujitsu Films, LLC which was established to make independent films with a social purpose. The company is headquartered in Minneapolis, MN. Black STARZ! is still the only movie channel created exclusively to meet the unique entertainment choices of the African American community. Black STARZ! has produced several original film projects, most recently "The Last of the Mississippi Jukes," and the Peabody Award winning "A Huey P. Newton Story" starring Roger Guenveur Smith, directed by Spike Lee and also nominated for two NAACP Image Awards. Other productions include the critically acclaimed "Funny Valentines" (in association with Studio USA Pictures and STARZ! Pictures), starring Alfre Woodard, Loretta Devine and CCH Pounder, and original documentaries "Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist," hosted by actor Morgan Freeman and the highly regarded "Classified X" by the godfather of contemporary African American cinema, Melvin Van Peebles. Starz Entertainment Group (SEG) is the largest provider of premium movie services in the United States with approximately 167 million pay units. SEG offerings include the Starz Super Pak(R), with up to 13 digital movie channels and more than 750 movies per month, Starz On Demand(R), the only on-demand pay TV subscription service available on the cable and satellite platforms, and its broadband equivalent, STARZ! Ticket(SM). SEG also offers a suite of advanced video offerings, including STARZ! HD(SM), Encore HD(SM), and Starz On Demand HD(SM). Starz Encore Group is a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation (NYSE:L)(NYSE:LMCb), www.starz.com. Contacts: Chelsye J. Burrows Tom Chen Starz Entertainment Group mPRm 720/852-5838 323/933-3399 chelsye.burrows@starz.comtchen@mprm.com Source: Black STARZ! CONTACT: Chelsye J. Burrows of Starz Entertainment Group, +1-720-852-5838, chelsye.burrows@starz.com; or Tom Chen of mPRm, +1-323-933-3399, tchen@mprm.com, for Black STARZ! Web site: http://www.starz.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment