Home »

MTV Premieres Inspiring Documentary Series 4REAL, April 14

- Original MTV/CTV eight-part series stars Joaquin Phoenix, Cameron Diaz,

Casey Affleck, Eva Mendes, Mos Def and more -

- Canadian series follows young leaders as they affect positive change

around the world -

TORONTO, March 24 /CNW/ - MTV in Canada calls attention to global social

issues and fosters cultural awareness and understanding with the eight-part

original Canadian series 4REAL, premiering Monday, April 14 at 8 p.m. ET.

Executive Producer Joaquin Phoenix, along with Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Casey

Affleck, Mos Def, and more, are each featured in separate 30-minute episodes.

The celebs embark on epic journeys to some of the most heartbreaking places on

earth to connect with inspiring leaders who are affecting positive change in

their local communities.

"We're proud to be a part of a Canadian series that inspires a call to

action," said Brad Schwartz, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Music

and Youth Services, CTV Inc. "It's important to us to create content that has

social currency and catalyses our viewers' conversations. A series like 4REAL

gives young people the knowledge and tools to promote change effectively."

4REAL begins as a search for hope and understanding and becomes a

celebration of real-life heroes making the world a better place. Vancouver's

Sol Guy, 4REAL producer and co-creator, joins a different celeb every episode

as they leave everything behind and go off the map. From Rio's City of God, to

the peaks of the Peruvian Andes to Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, these

celebrities are shocked and humbled in ways they won't forget.

"It's really one of the few places in my life where I feel like I really

achieved a sense of true contentment," said Joaquin Phoenix about his

experience in the heart of the Amazon in the episode 4REAL Yawanawa.

Media Note: Download 4REAL photography and episode synopses at

mtvmedia.ca.

"Our partnership with MTV and CTV allows 4REAL to be a ground-breaking

show on multiple levels," said Sol Guy. "We're splitting profits with the

communities featured and we have an entirely new take on celebrity

involvement. Most importantly, this series delivers a positive message. It's

all about creating awareness and inspiring people to make a difference."

4REAL is set to air on various National Geographic channels around the

world. The original Canadian production will be seen in 166 countries in 53

different languages. Sol Guy and 4REAL co-creator Josh Thome were recently

honoured with the National Geographic Emerging Explorers Award, which

recognizes their work on the series.

Once again, MTV launches a multi-platform campaign to reach its audience.

Each week, full episodes are available on demand immediately following the

broadcast at mtv.ca/think. Viewers can also visit 4REAL.com to find out how

they can take action and promote positive change.

The series features the following eight episodes (all airings are Mondays

at 8 p.m. ET):

April 14 - 4REAL Peru with actor Cameron Diaz

April 21 - 4REAL Liberia with international music sensation M.I.A.

April 28 - 4REAL Haiti with Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers

May 5 - 4REAL Yawanawa with actor Joaquin Phoenix

May 12 - 4REAL Pawnee with actor Casey Affleck

May 19 - 4REAL City of God with rap superstar and actor Mos Def

May 26 - 4REAL Kenya with Canadian hip hop star K'naan

June 2 - 4REAL Vancouver with actor Eva Mendes

4REAL is produced by Direct Current Media (DCM), in association with CTV

for CTV and MTV. 4REAL is hosted by award-winning producer and co-creator Sol

Guy. Josh Thome is co-creator. Executive Producers of 4REAL are Joaquin

Phoenix, Chris Haddock and Laura Lightbown. Ben Rotterman is Executive

Producer, MTV. Mark McInnis is Vice President of Production, MTV. Susanne

Boyce is President, Creative, Content and Channels, CTV Inc.

For the complete announcement go to: CTV Media Site - MTV

For further information: Eleni Tsokas, MTV, (416) 332-6893 or

eleni.tsokas@mtv.ca