Aaron Biebert, director of A Billion Lives, replies

Aaron Biebert, director of A Billion Lives, has commented on my previous post about the film and the loss of his luggage.

I'm publishing it here to give it greater prominence:

Hi Simon,

You'll be happy to know that I did retrieve my luggage shortly before the premiere and was able to make it in time (wearing my beloved tuxedo of course).

A couple [of] notes:

1) You can read what impartial critics are saying about the movie at ABillionLives.com/press.

2) I'm struck by the low level of support from some in the UK as well, considering there are five British people featured in the movie (same as the US). Perhaps they are listening to your previous blog posts about the movie.

3) I appreciate your commentary about funding, distribution, etc. We have taken money from no outside organizations to make this movie (we are a successful independent production company) and we will bring it to market properly. We will also market it properly, which is what the holdup is. This movie was created for the long-term, not some short-term campaign.

4) I look forward to you seeing the film. Hopefully you're available in late October/November. I don't think you'll love it, but I do hope you'll respect it.

Thanks, Aaron. I can see how hard you're working to bring A Billion Lives to market and I certainly respect you for that.

Concerning the "low level of support from some in the UK", it's unfathomable that the UK vaping community hasn't risen to the challenge of helping you put on a high profile, well-attended premiere in London.

Frankly I'd be amazed if my previous posts had anything to do with it. I'm not sure I have that much influence and given the relationship I have with some vaping advocates I doubt they would listen to me anyway.

Certainly, if I was in their shoes, I'd be busting a gut to help promote your film (especially if I was in it!!). As you demonstrated only this weekend it doesn't even have to be a public event. Like the Paris premiere it could be a private screening for invited guests only.

Anyway I'll continue to read your bulletins and follow your progress with interest. If you make it to London dinner's on me!

Update: Interesting news concerning possible UK screenings. Aaron's company has done a deal with a distribution company, Demand.film, that can arrange screenings in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

The innovative approach they've developed allows us to bring A Billion Lives to most cities where 100 people are willing to buy tickets. As a way to say thank you for all the support, we'll be giving 5% of ticket sales back to the organizers of each screening to support the advocacy group of their choice.

Click here to go to the UK page and click here to request to host a screening at a cinema near you.

Demand.film and A Billion Lives are also featured in Forbes today. Click here.

Comments

[pat nurse]

If the film does not respect smokers, it can hardly expect to be respected.