Press Release

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For Immediate Release

Thursday, October 14, 2021

Media Contact: Vic Gerami

310.880.8563

vic@thebluntpost.com

Leading Political Advocate and State of California Commissioner, Sam Kbushyan, Named ‘Motherland’ Executive Producer

Recent Los Angeles City Council Contender Joins Mark Geragos as Executive Producers Bringing Feature-Length Documentary to Screens Everywhere—Film Shines Light on Real Possibility of New Armenian Genocide

Human Rights Film Project Opens to Crowdfunding on Indiegogo

‘Motherland is the film that finally tells the real story of what happened and continues to happen to the Armenians of Artsakh, something that reporters and journalists failed to do. I am grateful to contribute and be a part of this important project.’

— Sam Kbushyan

LOS ANGELES—Longtime community leader, political advocate, State of California Commissioner, and founder of political-consulting firm, SKG, Sam Kbushyan has accepted an appointment as executive producer for Vic Gerami’s ‘Motherland.’

‘It’s a privilege to be part of the team making Motherland a reality,’ Kbushyan said. ‘I have known Vic Gerami for over ten years. I have watched his reporting and unwavering activism for the Armenians of Artsakh, and know that Motherland will elevate the voices of the victims, their families, and refugees who continue to suffer.’

According to Kbushyan and others on the Motherland production team, international media fails to report what is a self-evident crime against humanity.

‘It’s a humanitarian disaster as well,’ said Kbushyan.

Often referred to as, ‘Southern California’s Political Advocate,’ Kbushyan is confident ‘Motherland’ will cause blinders to fall from global eyes and help save innocent lives in Artsakh, also called Nagorno-Karabakh.

‘Most people are still unaware of the war crimes that are being inflicted on the Armenians of Artsakh,’ Kbushyan added. ‘So, we must make this film and make sure that as many people as possible see it.’

Another Win for Gerami, ‘Motherland’ and Efforts to Save Lives through Film

In the last two weeks, renowned criminal-defense attorney Mark Geragos has come on board as an executive producer as well. Additionally, LA Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell secured a symbolically important grant from the City of Los Angeles for the film.

Councilmember O’Farrell congratulated filmmaker Gerami, Executive Producer Geragos, and Motherland’s entire production team on recruiting Kbushyan.

‘With the addition of Sam, this team continues to impress,’ said Councilmember O'Farrell. ‘This film will help give much-needed attention to the injustices in Artsakh.’

Gratitude and a Higher Calling in the Face of Unspeakable Crimes

‘I could not be more grateful,’ Gerami said. ‘Nor could I be more humbled that a leader and advocate of Sam’s caliber has agreed to join our team. Producing this feature-length documentary film that penetrates unspeakable crimes now being committed by Turkey and Azerbaijan against Armenians of Artsakh is a higher calling. These executive produces and Motherland’s supporters are answering the call.’

Gerami sees more value in adding Kbushyan than the usual contributions a film like his generally receives from executive producers. 

‘With Sam, we gain another visionary on our side,’ Gerami said. ‘As the underdogs going up against the high-powered, highly paid lobbyists and public relations masters hired by Turkey and Azerbaijan to whitewash their crimes, that vision will serve our film well.’

A respected veteran of tough California political campaigns, Kbushyan brings strategic skills and experience to the work that lies ahead for the unique cinematic endeavor that is, 'Motherland.'

‘Sam is a trailblazer and a champion for vital causes. So, it’s apropos to have someone like him on our team as we amplify the voices and fight for the rights of people who are victimized by brutal regimes,’ said Gerami.

Sam Kbushyan was appointed to the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Respiratory Care Board for a four-year term by the California State Senator Pro-Tem Kevin De Leon in 2017.

Commissioner Kbushyan is the principal of SKG LA LLC, a public relations firm that specializes in community organizing and business advocacy. In support of his commitment and work for the community, he has been recognized many times for civic participation and citizenship empowerment.

Hi Motherland counterpart, fellow executive producer Mark Geragos is famous around the world for prevailing in ‘un-winnable’ cases. He represents countless clients whose household names and ‘A-list’ celebrity status carry as much potential to convict as to exonerate. Geragos’s decades of experience standing up for the underdog make his role executive producing ‘Motherland’ familiar territory.

‘Standing up to bullies and finding allies along the way has been a big part of ‘Motherland’s’ development and production,’ Gerami said. ‘Doing likewise is exactly what Mark Geragos and his associates at Geragos & Geragos, Mark’s law firm in Los Angeles, do each and every day.’ 

A short list naming just a few of Geragos’ myriad superstar and famous clients includes Michael Jackson, Winona Ryder, Gary Condit, Susan McDougal, Scott Peterson, Scott Barney, and Jussie Smollett.

In his hit podcast, Reasonable Doubt, Geragos brings to the forefront significant details from past and present experiences as he examines the finer and larger points of current law and how those impact society and shape current events.

Mark Geragos enthusiastically welcomed Kbushyan to the Motherland production team.

‘Sam is a wonderful addition to an already exceptional team that will make Motherland the definitive film on a very important global crisis,’ said Geragos.

To contribute to Motherland’s Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, please click here or visit, https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/motherland-documentary-feature-film#/

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About ‘Motherland’

Produced and directed by Los Angeles-based Armenian American journalist and activist, Vic Gerami, 'Motherland' is a new documentary, feature-length film about the genocidal assault and the violent ethnic cleansing that was unleashed September 27, 2020 by Azerbaijan and Turkey. The 90-minute documentary film focuses unwavering attention on the coordinated, systematic and wholly unprovoked genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against the Armenians of Artsakh, also known as Nagorno-Karabakh.

The release of a moving new preview trailer whose urgency is as palpable as the production’s just-launched Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, and is inspiring people everywhere to help fund the film. Individual contributors are jumping in to help raise the remaining $25,000 needed to complete film’s post-production work—at the same time increasing worldwide awareness of families caught in the crosshairs of an unrelenting military onslaught.

Gerami is founder and editor of The Blunt Post and host of the national radio show that focuses on politics titled, THE BLUNT POST with VIC on KPFK 90.7 FM, part of Pacifica Network.

‘We are racing against time to bring much-needed attention to this humanitarian catastrophe and the imminent threat it poses to millions of innocent people,’ says Gerami.

‘Armenian and Artsakh people have a combined population of about three million; but Azerbaijan and Turkey have ninety million,’ he continues. ‘It’s a genuine David versus Goliath nightmare.’

21st Century Armenian Genocide in the Making

‘We are trying to prevent another Armenian Genocide,’ Gerami explains.

It took 106 years before the United States formally recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915, which was committed by Ottoman Turks.

On April 24, 2021, President Joe Biden became the first US president to recognize the Armenian genocide, officially — and to recommit America to its promise to prevent such an atrocity against humanity ever occurring again.

Yet tragically, history is repeating itself. Turkey’s and Azerbaijan’s ongoing genocidal attack and ethnic cleansing against Armenians, as we’ve witnessed recently in Artsakh, is unrelenting.

Motherland tells the story of this ongoing and tragic chapter of human history as it was recently witnessed in Armenia and surrounding areas when Producer-Director Vic Gerami and his film crew capped a yearlong reporting and advocacy project by taking cameras on riveting location shoots near the scenes of what many are calling war crimes.

New Chapter in Regional Warfare

Azerbaijan, with declared assistance from Turkey, has launched a large-scale offensive against Artsakh. Employing thousands of Turkish-paid jihadist mercenaries airlifted from terrorist camps in Syria, Libya, and Pakistan, Azerbaijan’s war effort has been empowered by Erdogan to magnify the violence already being perpetrated by the Azerbaijani Army against innocent children, women and men who, previously, had lived peacefully for generations in Artsakh.

The 2020 invasion opened a new chapter in the history of regional warfare. The travesty has been marked by unmatched suffering anywhere on the planet today, which Artsakh’s civilian population currently endures on a daily basis. For 44 days, the world stood by, largely in silence, as more than 4,000 Armenians were massacred.

Motherland, currently entering post-production, has received broad support from some of America’s leading elected officials, including influential United States Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ). A part of Sen. Menendez’s interview with Gerami is featured in the Motherland’s ‘sizzle,’ also known as a preview trailer.

In that segment of the film, Sen. Menendez tells Gerami, ‘The [Trump] Administration turned a blind eye to what was happening.’

Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) granted Gerami an on-camera interview for the film. A part of Rep. Schiff’s interview is featured in the sizzle. In it he explains, ‘Turkey’s role in importing mercenaries from Syria, and terrorists to join the mayhem demonstrate how Turkey’s actions are incompatible with being a NATO ally.’

Contributions will be used to edit the film and prepare it for wide-scale distribution.

‘This a rare chance for individual people to make a real difference and to be a part of history,’ Gerami says.

To contribute to Motherland’s Kickstarter campaign, please click here or visit, https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/motherland-documentary-feature-film#/

For more information, please visit the film’s website, MotherlandDoc.com. High-resolution photos and headshots can be found here.

Vic Gerami is available for interviews. You can contact him at 310.880.8563 or vic@thebluntpost.com. 

About Sam Kbushyan

Sam Kbushyan was appointed to the Department of Consumer Affairs’ Respiratory Care Board for a four year term by the California State Senator Pro-Tem Kevin De Leon in 2017.

Commissioner Kbushyan is the Principle of SKG LA LLC, a public relations firm that specializes in community organizing and business advocacy. In support of his commitment and work for the community, he has been recognized many times for civic participation and citizenship empowerment.

Commissioner Kbushyan strongly believes in social entrepreneurship and civic participation, he is an active member of many respected community-based organizations. He serves on the Board of Immigrants Charitable Foundation, East Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. His is a former Board Member of the LACER After School Programs and the elected Board Member of the East Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Sam has been fully active in bringing community stakeholders together to develop avenues to enhance quality of life.

Commissioner Kbushyan has a long track record for social advocacy and education. He was the student body president at Los Angeles Valley College and later the Commissioner of Political Affairs at California State University Los Angeles.

Commissioner Kbushyan studied political science at California State University Los Angeles, where he received his B.A. He completed his graduate degree at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.

About SKG

SKG is the Los Angeles-cased Sam Kbushyan Group and is comprised of experienced political professionals dedicated to clients throughout Southern California in government relations, political consulting and community relations.

Kbushyan, SKG’s founder, has been a leading voice in Los Angeles politics for decades. He has forged strong working relationships with leaders of the Los Angeles City Council, Los Angeles Community College Board, State Assembly and State Senate. With an MBA from the D’amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University and leadership roles in many local businesses, SKG has experience helping clients facilitate policy and administrative solutions to help foster business growth.  With collaborative relationships with the right experts, SKG will lead the right team to deliver victory for our clients.

As a breakthrough candidate for Los Angeles City Council in 2013, Kbushyan demonstrated field operations prowess within and beyond the Armenian Community.  Since then, SKG has been consulting with candidates for political office to help design field operations to target the Armenian American voting base in Los Angeles.

Working across the political spectrum, Kbushyan and SKG collaborate and work with the non-profit community, chambers of commerce, political offices and the Los Angeles Court system.  SKG has extensive experience mobilizing and coordinating community relations projects for select clients. From neighborhood clean-ups to public awareness campaigns, SKG helps coordinate with public-sector partners to bring awareness and support to select projects.

As SKG officials put it, ‘We are  the only non-stop flight to help you reach your goals.’

About Mark Geragos

As the Principal with the internationally known trial lawyer firm of Geragos & Geragos, Mark Geragos cemented his national reputation as a trial lawyer a dozen years ago with back-to-back State and Federal Court jury trial acquittals for renowned Whitewater figure Susan McDougal, later securing a presidential pardon for Ms. McDougal for a conviction sustained prior to his representation of her.

During the last decade, Geragos has won two consecutive dismissals of murder charges against clients by proving flawed eyewitness identification. One of those clients later won a $1.7 million settlement when the Geragos firm sued the City of Glendale for their false arrest of that client. In another twelve-week murder trial where the victim was the defendant’s four-year-old daughter, Geragos was the lead lawyer where the jury did not convict his client. He was the attorney who successfully represented Chris Brown last year.

Geragos won dismissal of prostitution charges against James Bond movie director Lee Tamahori; dismissal of all felony charges – including kidnapping and torture – for Hung Bao Zhong, the recognized exiled leader of China’s shadow government with an estimated 38 million followers worldwide; dismissal of murder charges for the third time for a USC co-ed charged with murder in the death of her fetus; and dismissal of a decades-old murder charge against Japanese national Kazuyoshi Miura, a case christened the ‘Japanese O.J. Case’ by Japanese media.

Geragos was one of the lead lawyers in a pair of groundbreaking Federal Class Action Lawsuits against New York Life Insurance and AXA Corporation for insurance policies issued in the early 20th century during the genocide of over 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Turk Regime, eventually settling these two cases for more than $37.5 million. He is currently suing the Government of Turkey for reparations arising out of the Armenian Genocide.

Geragos is the only lawyer besides Johnnie Cochran ever named ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in both Criminal and Civil arenas. California Law Business Magazine named Geragos ‘One of the 100 Most Influential Attorneys in California’ three years in a row, and Geragos has repeatedly been voted by his peers as one of Los Angeles’ SuperLawyers. His $59 million jury verdict in a trade secrets case against pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Corporation was voted both ‘Top Ten Verdicts in 2008 in California’ by the Daily Journal, as well as ‘Top Fifty Verdicts in the United States’ by the National Law Journal.

Mark Geragos has represented some of the most prominent figures in the world. His client list has included former Congressman Gary Condit, former first brother Roger Clinton, Academy Award-nominated actress Winona Ryder, pop star Michael Jackson, Nicole Ritchie, singer Chris Brown, hip hop stars Nathaniel “Nate Dogg” Hale and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs (aka Puff Daddy), international arms dealer Sarkis Soghanalian, and the Sarkisyan family, whose seventeen-year-old daughter died when Cigna Corporation refused to authorize a liver transplant. For the last several years, Geragos has represented Barry Bonds’ personal trainer, Greg Anderson, in his matter relating to the Federal Investigation into steroid use in professional sports.

Geragos has regularly appeared as both guest and legal commentator on the ‘Today Show,’ ‘Good Morning America,’ ‘Dateline NBC,’ ‘Larry King Live,’ ‘Greta Van Susteren’s On the Record,’ ‘60 minutes,’ and ‘48 hours,’ and has lectured extensively and authored numerous articles and Law Review publications on the subject of Media and the Law.

Mark Geragos attended Haverford College in Pennsylvania as an undergraduate, and later earned his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School. He was born in Los Angeles.

About Vic Gerami

Vic Gerami is an award-winning journalist, columnist, media commentator, and the host of his prime-time headline news + politics radio program THE BLUNT POST with VIC (TBPV) on Independent + Progressive Radio KPFK 90.7 FM (Pacifica Network). Vic is also the editor + publisher of The Blunt Post. 

Today reaching national, international audiences, Gerami first built a foundation of knowledge and skills by learning the media industry during his years at Frontiers Magazine, followed by positions at LA Weekly and Voice Media Group. 

Gerami’s radio program, TBPV covers national, regional, and local headline news, politics, and current events, and Gerami offers analysis and commentary. He also interviews a high-profile member of Congress or other high-profile public figures on each show. His recent guests include Congressman Adam Schiff, Senator Bob Menendez, Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Governor Howard Dean, Congresswoman Katie Porter, Congressman Brad Sherman, Congressman Mike Levin, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, and Congresswoman Judy Chu, LA District Attorney George Gascon, among many others. You can listen to all the interviews here. 

Gerami is also a contributor for some of the most prominent publications in the nation, including Windy City Times, Bay Area Reporter, Armenian Mirror-Spectator, The Advocate, The Immigrant Magazine, GoWeHo, Destination Luxury, OUT Traveler, The Fight, and among others.

Gerami founded the Truth And Accountability League (TAAL), a 501©3 non-profit organization that advocates for Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and Armenia. TAAL monitors & addresses Armenophobia, extremism & bigotry around the globe on the level of media, including social media, public policy, academia, and intelligentsia. 

The Wall Street Journal featured Gerami as a “leading gay activist” in its landmark 2008 coverage of opposition to Proposition 8, the ballot measure that for years denied same-sex couples in California the freedom to marry. In addition to his years of volunteer work as a leading advocate for marriage equality, Gerami served as a Planning Committee member for the historic Resist March in 2017. 

In 2015, Gerami was referenced in the landmark Supreme Court civil rights case, Obergefell v. Hodges, in which the Court held in a 5–4 decision that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples by both the Due Process and the Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.

Please click here for more information about Vic Gerami.

Instagram: @vicgerami

Facebook: facebook.com/vic.gerami

Twitter: @vicgerami