New Delhi: As many in the world prepare for the warm summer months, Discovery will use its global reach to focus the world’s attention on the single greatest agent of death in modern human history: the mosquito.
The global crisis is highlighted in the worldwide premiere of the upcoming Discovery Impact film Mosquito on Thursday, July 6th at 9pm, on Discovery Channel and Discovery networks around the world.
Recent news coverage around the globe has highlighted individual outbreaks of diseases such as Zika, malaria, West Nile virus, Yellow Fever, chikungunya, and dengue.
Narrated by Academy Award® nominated actor Jeremy Renner (“The Town,” “The Hurt Locker,”) the film chronicles the increasing global threat this tiny animal poses and the potential lethal ramifications without a worldwide coordinated effort. The film features interviews with leading experts including former CDC director Dr. Thomas Frieden and Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“For more than 30 years, Discovery’s mission has been to ignite viewers curiosity, spark dialogue and encourage action on critical topics through our world-class storytelling and brands across 220 countries,” says, David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications. “Mosquito sounds a worldwide alarm about the need for bold steps to address this increasingly urgent threat. As a purpose-driven company, we are proud to leverage the strength of our unmatched television and digital services in all corners of the globe to call on citizens and worldwide leaders alike to act.”
“Discovery is at its best taking a global problem and showcasing its effects on individuals and their local communities,” says, Rich Ross, Group President, Discovery, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and Velocity. “The spread of Mosquito-borne illnesses in places they have never been has the potential to change the world as we know it. Mosquito shines a spotlight on this rapidly moving issue, giving audiences the tools to understand and prepare for a new world.”
Mosquito profiles a father and son from a remote village in Kenya. The father, wondering why even with their malaria nets they both have contracted the disease, carries his son on his back for to a hospital while neglecting his own care. In addition, the film highlights, Leslie Meiners, a mother from Queens, NY who contracted West Nile virus in her own neighbourhood. Mosquito also spotlights the story of a Miami, Florida couple with a young daughter and another on the way. Scott and Lindsay Fuhrman have quarantined themselves in their home for fear of contracting Zika. Most devastating is the story of a young mother from Brazil, Ane Júliana Araújo, who is caring for a baby born with Zika while fearing the disease may affect her unborn child.
In conjunction with the worldwide TV broadcast, Discovery and CARE2 are collaborating on a petition calling citizens worldwide to drive leaders to act before it is too late. In addition to airing in over 220 countries and territories around the globe, Mosquito will also air in Spanish on Discovery’s Spanish-language channel, Discovery en Español. Just prior to its Discovery global broadcast premiere, Mosquito will have a World Premiere Spotlight Screening at the prestigious AFI Docs Film Festival on June 15. The film premieres under the Discovery Impact banner, a series of trailblazing documentaries focusing on humankind’s impact on the environment, and what individuals and communities can do to solve global problems.
Mosquito is a Yap Films Production produced for Discovery Channel.
