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Korna Stonz Productions Announces DVD Release of Award Winning Film “Take No Prisoners”, Directed, Written and Produced by McClinton Stanley and Executive Produced by Def Poetry Co-Founder, Deborah Pointer

(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 05, 2008 ) NEW YORK – McClinton Karma Stanley and Def Poetry co-founder, Deborah Battle Pointer were surprised when they received a phone call from the mother of one of the actors in their low budget independent film, Take No Prisoners, “Your film is being sold in the streets of Brooklyn”. Take No Prisoners juxtaposes poverty and middle class values living side by side in the projects of Brooklyn and speaks to the resilience of the human spirit, the power of the ballot and the community empowerment. It was sold on the streets of New York next to bootleg copies of Hollywood blockbusters like American Gangster and Batman three weeks before the official release date by York Entertainment.

Take No Prisoners, an independent feature film written and directed by McClinton Karma Stanley and executive produced by Deborah Battle Pointer (Co-Founder, Def Poetry Jam) became another film victim to the $6.1 billion dollar black market sales of bootlegged DVD movies. The film was released and available on DVD July 22, 2008 and distributed by York Entertainment. Bootleg copies of the film are being sold in the streets of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania three weeks before the official release date.

“I can’t believe it; this isn’t one of those Hollywood blockbusters, but a low budget film that we put our hearts and souls into it, said filmmaker McClinton Karma Stanley. I know that film bootlegging is a billion dollar business but I never expected this to happen to me. I am both flattered that the bootleggers liked the film and also disappointed that the bootleggers will see money before we do.”

“That phone conversation about the film being bootlegged three weeks before the release date has changed my attitude completely about the bootleg enterprise said executive producer, Deborah Pointer. I will never look the same way at films being sold on the streets again. I believe that everybody should work hard and eat, but as the youth would say, “Let McClinton and I see some cheddar first. Our goal now is to turn a negative situation into a blessing. We need to make as much money as we can from Take No Prisoners, so that we can make more movies. We have scripts and treatments just sitting and waiting for financing. Because we financed the movie ourselves, that is why this was such a blow to us”, said Ms. Pointer.

This engaging film made and produced in Brooklyn, New York showcases some of the finest young actors and Def Poetry Jam poets in the New York area. Take No Prisoners crosses over inter-generational lines and stresses the importance and power of voting, community empowerment and the resilience of the human spirit.

The starring cast includes: Julian Thomas as Raz, John Beckles as Keyo, Kiro Jo Williams as Cynthia, Javier Corniell as Dizzy, Jennifer Pinto as Keisha and John Shaw as King Pin. Def Poetry poet, Narubi Selah gives an outstanding performance as Donna and is joined by poet and writer Raul Maldonado as Top Boss, Hector Lino as Jem-K, actress Joan J as the mother and Albert Avedon as the detective.

Featured also are Def Poetry Jam poets: Flowmentalz, Gemini, Butterfly Soul, Yolanda Wilkerson and Helena Lewis.



Take No Prisoners is presented by Korna Stonz Productions Inc., McClinton Karma Stanley and Deborah Battle Pointer. Mr. Stanley is an international filmmaker who has worked with Spike Lee, Ossie Davis, Melvin Van Peeples and Lindsey Barrett. Mr. Stanley was a part of the film team that won the “Golden Eagle Award” for the documentary film “Diggers” and the Academy Award winning documentary film, “When We Were Kings”.

Ms. Pointer is the co-founder and co-executive producer of the acclaimed Peabody Award-winning HBO series "Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry" and was executive consultant on Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam on Broadway which won both critical hosannas and the coveted 2003 Tony award for "Best Special Theatrical Event". Ms. Pointer and the others executive producers of Def Poetry have also been nominated for the NAACP Image Award. This is Mr. Stanley's first feature film directorial debut and Ms. Pointer's first feature film to executive produce.

Korna Stonz Productions, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, is a multi-service company specializing in independent film, television programming and documentaries. The company was founded in 1993 by company president, McClinton Stanley.


"For the past five years there has been tremendous growth in the underground poetry slam movement and the number of one person shows, screenplays, movies and group ensembles written by the members of the hip-hop generation. This movie, written, directed and produced by McClinton Stanley gives voice to the hip-hop generation and transcends generational boundaries. During a time when many newly registered young voters are energized about the Presidential candidate, Barak Obama and the value of their vote, Take No Prisoners speaks to the importance of voting and the history that surrounds our votes. It is also a strong film about behavior and consequences," says Pointer.

"I wanted to give a voice to the voiceless", says McClinton Karma Stanley. I wrote, directed, edited and produced this movie because I wanted to show that the issues that we faced in the 60's are still with us today. The current election demonstrates that we must continue to organize and work together to bring about a change in our community. Barak Obama as a community organizer in Chicago has shown us that government begins from the ground up," says Stanley.

"It was terrific", said Staten Island resident, Darrell Banks. The crack head was so believable that I thought she would overdose in the movie.”



"The movie had me in tears, said Ronald Johnson. For anyone who has ever lived in the projects, they can truly identify. It was unbelievable! Ms. Pointer has the magic touch. She keeps it real, just like she has done with Def Poetry and, McClinton Stanley should be proud of his directorial debut. The movie was fierce."


Take No Prisoners is a contemporary story with all of the elements of a Shakespearean tragedy: love, power, honor, betrayal and death. ItÂ’s an action packed movie about the streets with a message.


For more information about Take No Prisoners contact Korna Stonz Productions at (718) 469-4379 or debpointer1@aol.com.

http://www.takenoprisonersthemovie.com

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This press release was issued through GroupWeb EmailWire.Com. For more information on unlimited press release distribution service, go to http://www.emailwire.com

Korna Stonz Productions
Deborah Pointer
(718) 469-4379
debpointer1@aol.com.

Source: EmailWire.com

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