CONTACT: Marina Cadena, (505) 277-2857 or Daniel Ortega, (505) 277-5723

Dec. 4, 2002 UNM CENTER SPONSORS BATAAN DEATH MARCH FILM PREMIERE "Colors of Courage: Sons of New Mexico, Prisoners of Japan," a feature-length documentary film about the Bataan Death March and New Mexico's 200th and 515th Coast Artilleries-the most decorated units of WWII-will premiere Saturday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Armory for the Arts, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, in Santa Fe. The public is invited to reserve seats for either show by contacting the University of New Mexico Center for Regional Studies (CRS) through Friday, Dec. 6, at (505) 277-2857 or via email at crsinf@unm.edu. Some seats may be available on the day of the premiere; call (505) 277-5723 on Dec. 7 for recorded information about availability. Admission is free. Due to the mature theme this film is not recommended for persons under age 16. The UNM CRS is sponsoring the premiere in conjunction with the Bataan Memorial Military Museum and Library. Narrated by Academy Award Winner Gene Hackman, the film is produced by Emmy and Peabody Award Winners Anthony Martínez and Scott Henry. Martínez is the son of the late Eddie Martínez of Santa Fe, a Death March veteran. "These men are New Mexico's version of Mount Rushmore, but instead of four heroes, we have 1,800," Martínez said. "I'm so honored to tell their story-one that anybody who is awed by American heroism should see." "The mission of the Center for Regional Studies is to promote the quest for knowledge about New Mexico. 'Colors of Courage' is a project that fulfills our mission. It is a story of courage, bravery, commitment, loyalty, and life-and-death struggles that affected not only the veterans, but entire families throughout New Mexico," said Dr. Tobías Durán, director of CRS. "CRS sponsors projects like this film to preserve the past so that we can understand the present and anticipate the future. Our goal is to connect the University of New Mexico with the wider community through dissemination of projects like this one," he said. For more information, contact UNM CRS at (505) 277-2857 or crsinf@unm.edu. # # #

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981