News Release

San Francisco – The International Center of the San Francisco Public Library welcomes Karin Hayes, co-director and co-producer of two insightful documentaries that explore the dangers of two recent Colombian captures. On Sunday, February 29, 2004 the public will have an opportunity to screen The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt and Held Hostage in Colombia; Hayes will also be available to answer questions about the films.

The Kidnapping of Ingrid Betancourt tells the story of Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt who publicly denounced Colombian politicians who have links to drug cartels. The film includes candid conversations with Betancourt before her kidnapping and continues the day after her abduction. The footage documents how her family and political party struggle to free her and keep her presidential campaign alive. Betancourt has been missing since February 2002

Held Hostage in Colombia takes the viewer deep within the Colombian jungle for an exclusive story that incidentally serves as the only proof of life for three U.S. contractors who were captured when their plane crashed in 2003. The film includes expert testimony from academics and politicians and brings the American drug policy in Colombia and the U.S. government’s response to captures to the forefront of discussion. Held in Colombia illustrates the will of the captured Americans and their desperate hope to return home alive.

The documentaries and film discussion will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 29, 2004 in the Koret Auditorium at the San Francisco Main Public Library (100 Larkin Street).

All programs at the Library are free and open to the public. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library.