Today in Madonna History: August 2, 2008

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On August 2 2008, Madonna and Nathan Rissman introduced their film, I Am Because We Are at the Traverse City Film Festival in Traverse City, Michigan.

The film was directed by Nathan Rissman, produced by Madonna and Angela Becker, written by Madonna, narrated by Madonna with music by Patrick Leonard.

The 86-minute film focuses on the effects of AIDS on orphaned children living in Malawi.

The event was co-founded by filmmaker, author and fellow Michigan native Michael Moore.  Moore told the audience that he was humbled to be able to call Madonna a friend:

“She has such an incredible heart and such a generous spirit, she does so much out of the glare of the lights to make the world a better place.”

Madonna was happy to present her film in her home state:

“It’s great bringing my movie to a place that I feel familiar.  Not like the Cannes Film Festival, where nobody’s speaking English, or the Tribeca Film Festival, where no one sits down.  There’s something poetic about coming back to the place where I used to come for holidays – camping trips with my dad and stepmother and my very large family.”

Today in Madonna History: September 22, 2009

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On September 22 2009, Madonna and Nathan Rissman’s I Am Because We Are documentary was released on DVD.

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Today in Madonna History: April 3, 2008

On April 3 2008, it was announced that Madonna would join Sharon Stone and Harvey Weinstein at the annual Amfar Fundraising Gala in Cannes on May 22:

Madonna, Sharon Stone, Harvey Weinstein, Michelle Yeoh, Michel Litvak, Carine Roitfeld, Caroline Gruosi – Scheufele, and amfAR Chairman of the Board Kenneth Cole will serve as chairs of amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS, to be held on May 22 during the 61st annual Cannes International Film Festival. The evening will be presented by Bold Films, Chopard, and the Weinstein Company. The annual star – studded event, which will benefit amfAR, will take place at Le Moulin de Mougins and will feature a formal dinner, along with amfAR’s world – renowned live auction and a special performance by Seal.

In addition, this year’s event will feature a short clip of I Am Because We Are, the Madonna – produced and – narrated documentary about children orphaned by AIDS in Malawi. The full screening of I Am Because We Are is scheduled to take place the evening before, May 21, in Cannes and will be associated with amfAR’s Cinema Against AIDS event. Madonna’s long history with amfAR began in 1992, when she received the Foundation’s Award of Courage.

Harvey Weinstein and Sharon Stone, tireless advocates for AIDS research and amfAR, will conduct the highly anticipated live auction with the assistance of several of the event chairs and other celebrities who will be present. In Past years, the auction has seen legendary impromptu performances by Sir Elton John, Robin Williams, Natalie Cole, Liza Minnelli, Sheryl Crow, Ringo Starr, Macy Gray, Milla Jovovich, and Lionel Ritchie. Last year’s live auction raised million, bringing the evening’s fundraising total to million. amfAR’s annual Cinema Against AIDS gala has been an important and successful fundraising event for the Foundation since 1993, generating more than million for essential AIDS research. Past events have been hosted by Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, and Sir Elton John.

Today in Madonna History: March 26, 2009

On March 26 2009, Madonna’s I Am Because We Are documentary premiered online via YouTube and Hulu. The documentary was directed by Nathan Rissman and narrated by Madonna.

According to the press release:

I Am Because We Are depicts a journey in the second poorest country in the world, Malawi. In a country of 12 million people, so many children without parents has caused irreparable damage. The film attempts to explore what is going on in the heads and hearts of these orphans, and what the future holds for them. Suffering from AIDS, infections and malnutrition, most of the children in Malawi are in need for food, medical care, but also for proper education and guidance. More than just a story about Malawi, I Am Because We Are provides the audience with keys to help changing the situation but also spreads hope for a better world.

Today in Madonna History: September 22, 2009

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On September 22 2009, Madonna and Nathan Rissman’s I Am Because We Are documentary was released on DVD.

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Today in Madonna History: August 2, 2008

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On August 2 2008, Madonna and Nathan Rissman introduced their film, I Am Because We Are at the Traverse City Film Festival in Traverse City, Michigan.

The film was directed by Nathan Rissman, produced by Madonna and Angela Becker, written by Madonna, narrated by Madonna with music by Patrick Leonard.

The 86-minute film focuses on the effects of AIDS on orphaned children living in Malawi.

The event was co-founded by filmmaker, author and fellow Michigan native Michael Moore.  Moore told the audience that he was humbled to be able to call Madonna a friend:

“She has such an incredible heart and such a generous spirit, she does so much out of the glare of the lights to make the world a better place.”

Madonna was happy to present her film in her home state:

“It’s great bringing my movie to a place that I feel familiar.  Not like the Cannes Film Festival, where nobody’s speaking English, or the Tribeca Film Festival, where no one sits down.  There’s something poetic about coming back to the place where I used to come for holidays – camping trips with my dad and stepmother and my very large family.”

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