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Winter Series | Spring Series

WASHINGTON — "The War Room." "A Mighty Heart."

Hollywood’s portrayal of journalism has offered up countless images of news people, from the noble truth-seeker to the compromised scandalmonger. Influential and timeless, the "reel" reporter has helped shape the public’s view of real journalists.

Beginning May 18, 2009, the Newseum and the American University School of Communication present the spring version of the marquee film series "Reel Journalism," showcasing classic and contemporary films depicting the integral role of journalism in American life.

Veteran journalist Nick Clooney, author of the book "The Movies That Changed Us: Reflections in the Screen," will host the series. Clooney is also a familiar face to viewers of the American Movie Classics cable network. Each program will include screenings of the films accompanied by live discussions with prominent filmmakers, award-winning actors and top journalists.

Screenings will take place in the Newseum’s state-of-the-art Walter and Leonore Annenberg Theater. Programs begin at 7 p.m., and doors will open 30 minutes before start time. Ticket purchasers will be able to visit the Newseum throughout the day of the screening, and the Newseum's coffee bar will be open until 6:45 p.m. with light fare and beverages available for purchase.

This not-to-be-missed series will include the following modern and contemporary classics:

Event Recap Watch video of Steve Stecklow, John Bussey and Steve LeVine discussing "A Mighty Heart."		June 1, 2009 A Mighty Heart Guests: Steve Stecklow, John Bussey and Steve LeVine Starring Angelina Jolie, "A Mighty Heart" depicts the 2002 kidnapping and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, based on his widow, Mariane Pearl’s, harrowing 2003 memoir. Steve Stecklow, the last person to share a byline with Daniel, reflects on Daniel’s life, death and what it means to work as a journalist in peril in a post-9/11 world. John Bussey is the Journal's Washington bureau chief. He was the paper’s foreign editor and Daniel Pearl’s boss when Pearl was kidnapped in Pakistan. Bussey is featured in the film aiding in the search for Pearl. Steve LeVine covers foreign affairs and energy for BusinessWeek. He is a former Journal correspondent for Central Asia and the Caucasus and worked closely with Daniel Pearl in Pakistan. LeVine, who is also featured in the film, was a key player in the search for Pearl.
Event Recap Watch video of George Stephanopoulos, Paul Begala and Dee Dee Myers discussing "The War Room."		May 18, 2009 The War Room Guests: George Stephanopoulos, Paul Begala and Dee Dee Myers The movie takes viewers behind the scenes of the 1992 presidential campaign of Bill Clinton to reveal how the young Arkansas governor took on incumbent President George H.W. Bush — and won. More than 15 years later, George Stephanopoulos, Paul Begala and Dee Dee Myers, former Clinton advisers, share their thoughts on the spin machine, the love-hate relationship between candidates and the press, and how American politics has evolved over time. Stephanopoulos is the host and moderator of ABC’s "This Week" and chief Washington correspondent for ABC News. Begala is a political contributor for CNN, a top Democratic strategist, and a research professor of government and public policy at Georgetown University. Dee Dee Myers, the first woman to serve as White House press secretary, worked for President Bill Clinton during his first administration. She is currently a contributing editor for Vanity Fair and a political analyst and commentator.