Portuguese Language Version: Saturday March 20th at 10PM ET
English Language Version: Saturday, March 27th at 11PM ET
March 11, 2010 – Toronto, ON – OMNI Television is proud to present the world television premiere of Suck It Up Princess, as part of its Language Documentary Specials series. The 60 minute documentary launches its Portuguese language version on OMNI.1, Saturday March 20th at 10 p.m. ET.
English language audiences are invited to tune into OMNI.1 one week later on Saturday, March 27th at 11:00 p.m. ET.
Suck It Up Princess, from director Nina Beveridge and producer Susan Nation of Hop To It Productions, profiles the courage, strength and incomparable attitude of Renee Rodrigues, a victim of congenital muscular dystrophy. Despite being in constant pain, 20 year old Rodrigues maintains an exciting and productive life that includes her multi-faceted career as a writer, website moderator, and charity organizer.
The documentary’s title, Suck It Up Princess, refers to Renee Rodrigues’ own outlook. “Life is full of ups and downs, so suck it up and move on! Take life and enjoy it because one minute it’s there and the next it’s gone,” she advises.
“We are pleased to support Suck It Up Princess for its inspiring portrait of a dynamic individual whose positive attitude and growing list of accomplishments outshines many who are more able-bodied,” says Madeline Ziniak, National Vice President of OMNI Television.
Renee Rodrigues faces the world from a 500 pound wheel chair and speaks with a voice altered by a tracheotomy, but none of that stops her for a second. In addition to her various career activities, she counts among the hundreds of friends she’s made, particularly on-line, a number of celebrities, such as Shawn Desman, Danny Fernandes and Hilary Duff.
“Susan and I will always be thankful to Renee and her mother Edite for allowing us into their lives,” says Nina Beveridge, Director of Suck It Up Princess. “And we thank OMNI’s Independent Producers Initiative for helping us celebrate Renee and her amazing attitude in the face of significant challenges — Suck It Up Princess really puts things in perspective.”
Writing in her blog about the upcoming broadcast launch of Suck It Up Princess, Renee Rodrigues has some final advice for viewers, “I only ask one favour ha-ha which I know most won’t be able to promise, NO CRYING!”
Suck It Up Princess was exclusively funded through OMNI’s Independent Producers Initiative, a $32.5 million independent production fund that to date has supported over 400 new documentary programmes.
About OMNI Television:
OMNI™ is a free, over-the-air multilingual/multicultural television system committed to positive portrayal and broadcast reflection of Canada’s diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible programming. With five television stations — in BC; Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) and Ontario (OMNI.1 and OMNI.2) – OMNI reaches more than 23 million people in major market areas. As well as specializing in Canadian multilingual / multicultural programming, OMNI carries well-known International series and films – including East Asian Super Cinema and South Asian Bollywood Freetime Movies. OMNI Television is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited., a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. For more information visit www.OMNItv.ca
About Hop To It Productions Inc.
Hop To It Productions produces relevant, compelling and unique content and products that empower and entertain, websites that engage. Programming from Hop To It Productions promotes diversity, active healthy living and strong female roles. The company specializes in creating projects that have the potential to work on multiple platforms, with strong international appeal. Suck It Up Princess is the third independent film for Nina Beveridge, an award winning producer/director with a multi-disciplinary background in fine arts that encompasses 3D animation, web design and sports broadcasting (including two Olympic Games).
OMNI Media Contact:
Veronica Logue – Publicity Manager,
Sandy Zwyer – Programme Information Coordinator,
Hop To It Productions Media Contact:
Susan Nation – Writer/Producer,
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