At The Carpenter Center in Richmond http://www.carpentercenter.com/ Gods and Generals Film Premiere February 18, 2003, 7:30 p.m. Announcement from: http://www.governor.state.va.us/Press_Policy/Releases/2002/Dec02/1226.htm Governor Warner Announces Event to Benefit Virginia Civil War Battlefields and Promote Virginia History - Feature film "Gods and Generals" to premiere in Virginia - RICHMOND - Governor Mark R. Warner today recognized the Virginia Tourism Corporation for its efforts to assist in attracting the feature film Gods and Generals to be filmed in Virginia. The Governor also announced a premiere event to raise money for Civil War historic preservation across the Commonwealth. The Virginia Tourism Corporation's Virginia Film Office worked with the 2000 General Assembly to create the Virginia Civil War Incentive Fund, which was used to attract the epic feature film. The filming of Gods and Generals generated more than $5 million in revenue for local businesses in the Shenandoah Valley, where portions of the movie were filmed. As part of the agreement with Ted Turner Pictures, which produced the movie, Virginia will be featured on promotional material for the movie and in a one-minute promotional trailer featuring "Virginia is for Lovers" in the video and DVD release of the movie. Gods and Generals will serve as the centerpiece of an event to raise funds to preserve historic battlefields throughout Virginia, support area Civil War institutions, and to promote Virginia as an historic travel destination. The event, "An Evening of Historic Proportions" will be held February 18, 2003, and will include dinner at Tredegar Iron Works Gun Foundry for major donor sponsors, followed by the Richmond premiere of the movie at the Carpenter Center for the sponsors, actors, director and the general public. Proceeds from the evening's event will benefit the Tredegar National Civil War Center Foundation, The Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond Civil War Roundtable, The Center for Civil War Living History, and The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. "The Virginia Film Office does an outstanding job of marketing Virginia as a great place to film movies," said Governor Warner. "The film industry is a growing and vital part of Virginia's economy - and this event is a win-win for the Commonwealth in that it raises additional dollars specifically to preserve battlefields and support the efforts of a variety of Civil War historical organizations." Since 1980, the Virginia Film Office estimates that the television and film industry has added an estimated $480 million directly into Virginia's economy. The resulting publicity of films and shows shot on location in Virginia boosts the state's entire tourism promotional effort. Gods and Generals is based on the best-selling novel of the same title by Jeff Shaara. The film focuses on Civil War historic figures Stonewall Jackson, Robert E. Lee, Winfield S. Hancock, and Joshua L. Chamberlain. The movie stars Robert Duvall, Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang, and Mira Sorvino, and has cameo appearances by several U.S. Senators, including Virginia's George Allen. The movie was written, directed and produced by Ron Maxwell, who also wrote, directed and produced Gettysburg. Tickets to the Richmond premiere of Gods and Generals start at $100 and are available by calling (804) 344-8081. To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-hist.html