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Documentary Film Series LINK VOICES Returns with New Season

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Award-Winning Documentary ‘Big Sonia’ Kicks Off New Season in March

Sonia sits in a couch and smiles at camera.

(LINK VOICES returns with acclaimed documentary “Big Sonia”)
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Burbank, Calif. – Feb. 21, 2019 – Link TV, the national independent non-commercial satellite television network, announced today the upcoming lineup for a new season of the original documentary series LINK VOICES that launches on March 1. The new season is aimed at offering new perspectives on critical global issues and will kick off with the award-winning documentary “Big Sonia” followed by a compelling mix of topics that include a look at the dangerous journeys of immigrants to the U.S., the release of prisoners from ISIS, the transition of cultural gender norms and the continued conflicts in the Middle East. The new season of LINK VOICES premieres Fri., March 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Link TV (DirecTV 375 and Dish Network 9410) with seven day catch up streaming at linktv.org. LINK VOICES also airs Saturdays at 11 p.m. PT on PBS Station KCET in Southern California with seven day catch-up streaming at kcet.org.

LINK VOICES provides viewers with a unique collection of documentaries that showcases a variety of global perspectives, untold stories and regional flavors. This impactful documentary series features compelling topics expressed by the people closest to the issues.

The first documentary of the new season “Big Sonia” follows 91-year-old Sonia Warshawski – a great-grandmother, businesswoman and Holocaust survivor who has ran a tailor shop for more than thirty years. When she is served an eviction notice as the last storeowner in a defunct shopping mall, the specter of retirement prompts Sonia to revisit her harrowing past as a refugee and witness to genocide. A poignant story of generational trauma and healing, “Big Sonia” also offers a laugh-out-loud portrait of the power of love to triumph over bigotry, and the power of truth-telling to heal us all.

The new season lineup for LINK VOICES is as follows (subject to change*):

“Big Sonia” – Mar. 1 on Link TV; Mar. 2 on KCET
Holocaust survivor Sonia Warshawski is served an eviction notice for her tailor shop, which has thrived for 35 years. While choosing between setting up a new shop or retiring, she remembers a dark past.

“Wall” – Mar. 8 on Link TV; Mar. 9 on KCET
Two-time Academy Award® nominee David Hare goes on a trip to the Middle East to examine the impact the wall separating Israel and Palestine has had on the people of the region. This feature-length animated film is written by and starring playwright Hare, whom The Washington Post referred to as “the premiere political dramatist writing in English.”

“Who is Dayani Cristal?” – Mar. 15 on Link TV; Mar. 16 on KCET
The attempt to identify human remains, found in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, underscores the plight of illegal immigrants attempting to enter the United States.

“Commander Arian” Mar. 22 on Link TV; Mar. 23 on KCET
On the front line of the Syrian war, 30-year-old Commander Arian guides a female battalion towards the city of Kobane to release its people from the grip of ISIS in Alba Sotorra’s empowering tale of emancipation and freedom.

“Sepideh” – Mar. 29 on Link TV; Mar. 30 on KCET
A young Iranian woman wants to become an astronaut, while her traditional family will do anything to keep her on the ground.

“Sweet Dreams” – Apr. 5 on Link TV; Apr. 6 on KCET
Members of Rwanda's only women's drumming troupe form a partnership with two American entrepreneurs to open Rwanda’s first ice cream shop.

“Mali Blues” – Apr. 12 on Link TV; Apr.13 on KCET
The West African country of Mali is the birthplace of the blues, a musical tradition later carried by the transatlantic slave trade to America’s cotton fields. Yet today, the music and musicians of Mali are in grave danger as dance and secular music are prohibited, musical instruments are destroyed and musicians are forced to flee their homeland.           

Herman’s House” – Apr. 19 on Link TV; Apr. 20 on KCET
The remarkable creative journey and friendship of Herman Wallace, one of “The Angola Three,” and artist Jackie Sumell while examining the injustice of prolonged solitary confinement.

Join the conversation on social media using #LinkVoices

ABOUT LINK TV
Founded in 1999, Link TV is an independent viewer-supported media organization dedicated to providing programs that engage and educate its audiences with unique perspectives and activate them to become involved in the world.  Reaching more than 34 million U.S. satellite households nationally, Link TV (DirecTV channel 375 and DISH Network channel 9410) connects American viewers with people at the heart of breaking events, organizations at the forefront of social change and the vibrant cultures of an increasingly global community. For additional information about Link TV productions, web-exclusive content and program schedules, please visit linktv.org. Select programming from Link TV is also available for streaming on Apple TV, YouTube and Roku platforms. For more information please visit linktv.org

ABOUT KCET
On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 54-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Apple TV, YouTube, Amazon and Roku platforms. For more information please visit kcet.org. KCET is a content channel of the Public Media Group of Southern California.

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