TORONTO — Blue Ant International today announced it has acquired exclusive distribution rights to the feature documentary No Responders Left Behind, which follows the years-long battle to get health benefits for 9/11 first responders, championed by Jon Stewart, former host of The Daily Show.
The 90-minute documentary shows Stewart (pictured in front row, left), along with dedicated 9/11 social activist John Feal (front row, middle) and FDNY hero Ray Pfeifer, as they take on the U.S. government to ensure healthcare and compensation for thousands of ailing first responders who acquired life-threatening and financial devastating illnesses from toxins released at Ground Zero.
Shot over five years, the documentary is produced by Paradox Pictures, directed by Rob Lindsay and produced by Kelly Zemnickis, Kristine Ynoff and Jaime Sanschez. Blue Ant International oversees the exclusive global licensing and premiere rights to No Responders Left Behind, which will be available at MIPCOM in October.
“John Feal and all the first responders have done so much for me, for the community, for the city, for the country. To be able to repay some of that debt that I feel I owe them personally, that we all owe them, is the best feeling,” said Jon Stewart, in Blue Ant’s news release. “Being a small part of this journey is the one thing I’m most proud of. I will follow John anywhere he wants to lead me next. I’m thrilled John Feal’s story is being told in the documentary, No Responders Left Behind.”
“Next year will mark the 20th anniversary when the entire world watched the tragedy of 9/11 unfold and saw those first responders head courageously toward their rescue mission,” added Ludo Dufour, senior vice-president of international co-productions and sales at Blue Ant International. “This is an incredibly moving story that shines a light on the fight for healthcare and also provides an inspirational and encouraging look at what a small, but mighty group of passionate activists can achieve against all odds.”
