QUANTOCK

September 25, 2008: Members of Quantock España were guests at a wine tasting held by the Bodegas Heredad Baños Bezares, S.L. at the Galeria Cristina Marin in Zaragoza, Spain. The tasting for 50 guests was expertly led by Blanca Baños and graciously hosted by television presenter Cristina Marin and her husband Felipe.

June 11, 2008: Leading up to its June 13 New York theatrical release, ON THE DOLL – the acclaimed feature film by award-winning director, THOMAS MIGNONE – was treated to an exclusive music event promoted by Quantock in Manhattan. The special live set by LA band MISS DERRINGER took place at the Annex on the Lower East Side and was enthusiastically received by the appreciative audience. Miss Derringer is fronted by renowned Los Angeles artist and sculptor, Liz McGrath and admired for its signature outlaw country, blues rhythm and early 60s girl group pop. The band took time off from its East Coast tour commitments with New Wave punk-pop legends BLONDIE on their Parallel Lines 30th Anniversary tour. As a result McGrath and colleagues were even more warmly welcomed by the ecstatic crowd./// Thomas Mignone, who has directed projects for everyone from MUDVAYNE and SLIPKNOT to Donald Trump, is noted for his visually arresting music videos. In ON THE DOLL, he combines well with his cast including Brittany Snow (Prom Night; Hairspray; Nip/Tuck), Josh Janowicz (The Chumscrubber), Candice Accola (Juno) and Theresa Russell (Spider-Man 3) to offer a deeply dark but sympathetic film. And for raw, arresting cinematic power, few images can match the now infamous Brittany Snow ball-busting scene (arguably the most intense ever filmed) that has become an internet sensation with more than 1.5 million unique views to date. The film's soundtrack includes an original score by Paul D'Amour (formerly of TOOL), and new music by his current band FEERSUM ENNJIN; together with tracks from THE CRYSTAL METHOD, OTEP, THE BLACK HEART PROCESSION and MISS DERRINGER. (Event photography by J.W. Chen for Quantock)

April 4, 2008: Executives of Quantock’s Spanish operations were in Rioja for a three-day fact-finding tour to assess wine marketing activity in the region. With the generous support of the Hotel Los Agustinos in Haro, Quantock directors Ana Perote and Samuel Garrick were hosted by the Bodegas Ysios and the Bodegas Juan Alcorta (part of the Domecq Group); the Bodegas Bilbainas (part of the Codorniu Group); and the Bodegas Teodoro Ruiz Monge. The Quantock Group of Companies thanks all those involved in making the visit a success -- including but not limited to Amaya Esteban Marin, Maddi Astigarraga Aranaz, Teodoro & Isabel Ruiz Monge, Raul Cotelo, Xabier Gorostiza Estrada and Jorge Navarro Dols.

March 18, 2008: On the occasion of Mrs. Ban Soon-taek's visit to the Manhattan campus of the United Nations International School, U Thant Institute president Daw Aye Aye Thant and institute directors joined UNIS Executive Director, Dr. Kenneth Wrye, members of faculty and students in welcoming the First Lady of the United Nations. A tour of the Junior School followed by student presentations including the UTI Friendship Across Cultures program, recitals and other performances, afforded Mrs. Ban the opportunity to meet pupils and staff while experiencing a slice of daily life at the school. The enthusiastic greetings received from all quarters undoubtedly touched Mrs. Ban who, in turn, delighted children and adults alike with her warmth and grace. (Event photography by Jinwen Chen for Quantock)

January 22, 2008: Recently returned from a widely publicized round of shuttle diplomacy with the military leaders of Myanmar, Mr. Ibrahim Gambari, Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Myanmar, joined UTI President Aye Aye Thant and H.E. Ambassador Vanu Gopala Menon of Singapore to brief the trustees, directors, executives and members of the U Thant Institute. The lecture luncheon to hear Mr. Gambari’s first public statement on his mission was well attended, and was the fifth such annual event commemorating former Secretary-General U Thant’s "Vision for Peace". Master of Ceremonies was UTI's vice president for Information, Willard Hass. Photographing the event in the Private Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations was Suzanne M. Sheridan of Westport, CT. Mr. Gambari’s highly informative and enlightening keynote address titled: "National Reconciliation in Myanmar: The Role of the UN", was preceded by a deeply insightful commentary on "Development in Myanmar" by Ambassador Menon of Singapore. Other guests of honor in attendance included Mr. Kiyotaka Akasaka, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information; Mr. Roland Rich, Executive Director of the UN Democracy Fund; UTI Trustees, Sir Brian Urquhart; Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed; Mrs. Connie Greenfield; Assistant-Secretary-General, Mrs. Sylvia Fuhrman; and Mrs. Guri Lie Zeckendorf, daughter of the first UN Secretary-General, Trygve Halvdan Lie.

September 6, 2007: Fresh from a whistlestop visit to Morocco, photographer Barbara Paul was joined by several dozen guests at Manhattan's Tibet House to celebrate her two-month exhibition at the gallery. Presented by Executive Director, Ganden Thurman and promoted by Quantock, "Grasslands of Eastern Tibet: Nomads, Festivals & Monasteries" featured a selection of some 150 photographs compiled from several thousand images shot during Barbara's month-long stay in Tibet. Adding a delightful touch to the soirée, the vivid colors that characterize Barbara's work were accentuated with panache when she and husband Roland Paul arrived in Tibetan attire. (Event photography by Margaret Kapica for Quantock)

June 21-24, 2007: The 24th Annual Avignon Film Festival was brought to a close at the Musée du Petit Palais with the Prix Tournage for Best Feature going respectively to “Year of the Fish” (David Kaplan) (USA) and “Komma” (Martine Doyen) (Belgium-France). In the short film category, the Prix Panavision went to “The 5:22” (Bernadette Demisay) (USA) and “Gratte-Papier” (Guillaume Martinez) (France). The Prix UCMF (L'Union des Compositeurs de Music des Films) for the best film score was awarded to David Zajzlin for his work on “Still(e)” (Susan Schwarzwald) (USA). The Prix Pierre Salinger for Best Documentary was picked up by "The Merry Makers" (Nigel Traill & Anne Kenyon) (Australia) - the first Australian film in the festival's history. The vinuous charms of the Prix Chateauneuf (one case per year for the next decade) - gifted annually to an actor or director known and recognized for the quality of his or her work - were settled this year on Richard Linklater ("Rock Academy", "Before Sunset", "Fast Food Nation") After the closing ceremony, in keeping with the strong epicurean heritage of the festival, guests were treated to a delicious garden luncheon prepared by Master Chef of France, Pierre Paumel - proprietor of the renowned La Bastide des Princes. (Event photography by Ven Staff for Quantock)

June 13, 2007: Celebrating the launch of U Thant Institute’s "Friendship Across Cultures" program, president Aye Aye Thant and members of the Institute were joined by program partners and well-wishers including Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, wife of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on the International Compact with Iraq and Other Political Issues; Mrs. Sylvia Howard Fuhrman, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for UNIS; Daniel Toole, Acting Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF; Hélène-Marie Gosselin, Director of the UNESCO Office in New York, ambassadors and consular officials of the foreign diplomatic corps. The colorful event in the auditorium of the UN’s Dag Hammarskjöld Library featured poetry readings and songs from students of the United Nations International School and a traditional Korean dance performed by children of the Arcola Korean Institute. “Friendship Across Cultures” is an intercultural initiative conceived by Aye Aye Thant and supported by UNESCO and UNICEF with the inaugural participation of the Dae-chi Middle School in Seoul, the UN International School in New York and the Abderrahmane Kahouadji School in Algiers. The goal of the program is to establish a global body of young students that will foster peace and encourage mutual understanding from an early age by way of collaboration in literature, arts, social science and politics. (Event photography by Nik Rocklin for Quantock)

May 16-27, 2007: For eleven glorious days each year, this French Riviera town becomes the center of the movie universe. And this year, the anticipation was even greater than usual as the world’s most prestigious film festival celebrated its 60th anniversary. Consequently, it was a tremendous honor for Quantock and client Camerapix to screen their documentary “Mo & Me” in the “Tous les Cinémas du Monde” section of this landmark edition. Additionally for Quantock president, Samuel Garrick and Camerapix CEO, Salim Amin, a festival highlight was their attendance at the May 22 premiere of Quentin Tarantino’s "Death Proof" starring Kurt Russell, Rosario Dawson, Rose McGowan, Tracie Thoms and Zoe Bell. Cannes remains a convivial and captivating locale where, amidst the irresistable lure of the moving image, old friendships are rekindled, new acquaintances are made and future alliances are formed. Quantock thanks Antoine Yvernault, Serge Sobczynski and their colleagues at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tous les Cinémas du Monde and, of course, the President, General Manager and Artistic Director of the Festival. (Event photography by Ven Staff for Quantock)

May 15, 2007: Before leaving for Cannes, Academy Award-winning director, Martin Scorsese was jointly honored with Debra and Leon Black by the Museum of Modern Art at the 39th Annual Party in the Garden. Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Richard Parsons, Barry Diller, Bruce Wasserstein, Stephen Schwarzman, Edgar Bronfman, Michael Ovitz, painter Chuck Close, sculptor Richard Serra and hip-hop artist Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter were among some 900 guests who joined MOMA chairman Jerry Speyer, president Marie-Josée Kravis, director Glenn Lowry, event co-chair Jo Carole Lauder, and other trustees for cocktails in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden followed by dinner and dancing until midnight. The post-supper entertainment featured a live set by R&B singer, Chrisette Michele Payne introduced by Jay-Z. At evening's end, the tally of funds raised by the museum stood at $3.8 million. (Event photography by Ven Staff for Quantock)

March 19, 2007: Celebrating its fourteenth year of providing free legal services to women and children in crisis, inMotion hosted a dinner and photography auction for 1,100 guests at the Waldorf-Astoria that raised over $2 million. The event's honoree, Arthur B. Newman, Senior Managing Director of The Blackstone Group, was feted by friends, colleagues and distinguished guests including the former Canadian Prime Minister, Jean Chrétien and Peter G. Peterson, Senior Chairman and Co-Founder of The Blackstone Group. Also in attendance were Arthur Newman’s peers from the financial and legal community including Lazard; Wachtell Lipton; Sidley Austin; AlixPartners; Willkie Farr; Simpson Thacher; White & Case; Fried Frank, and American Express. InMotion Board Chair, Shelley C. Chapman and Executive Director, Catherine J. Douglass got the evening underway with introductions, acknowledgements and thanks. Following their welcoming remarks, an audio-visual presentation of inMotion’s work offered guests a particularly moving first-hand account of the support, care and hope provided by the organization. Similarly, a few brief but heartfelt reports by members of the pro bono legal team did much to reinforce the sense of dedication, determination and compassion uniting them in their task. During dinner, as in previous years, the bids were spirited and keenly contested by a generous and appreciative audience. Consequently, by the time Sotheby’s auctioneer Denise Bethel brought proceedings to a close, a memorable landmark had been decisively passed. InMotion seeks to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of low-income, abused and under-served women by providing free legal representation and social assistance primarily in the areas of matrimonial, family and immigration law. The organization also works to promote policies that make society more responsive to the legal issues affecting the women it serves. For more information, visit www.inmotiononline.org

March 6, 2007: Quantock client, Wilderness Films held a private screening of "The Other Woman" at the National Arts Club in Manhattan. The evening's presentation started with a brief introduction and address by club president Aldon James and Wilderness principals Cornelia Ravenal and Mikael Sodersten. Creative partner, Nela Wagman and cast members, Juliette Bennett and Christian Pedersen were also in attendance together with assistant director, Andrew Lawton; musical contributor, Kaissa; costume consultant, Carla Ashton Carroll and extras director, Erin Cronican. The film was warmly received by the seventy-strong audience including Oscar-winning screenwriter, John Patrick Shanley; Avignon Film Festival Director, Jerome Henry Rudes and film producer, Maria Snyder. A champagne reception followed the post-screening Q&A session with the filmmakers and cast. (Event photography by Nik Rocklin for Quantock)

February 26, 2007: New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) - the preeminent East Coast entertainment industry association for women - hosted an evening of conversation with acclaimed film, television and stage actress, Tamara Tunie and ABC News Nightline correspondent Vicki Mabrey. Guests were treated to a wide-ranging, informative and highly entertaining discussion. In the audience was Tunie’s agent, Sarah Fargo (Paradigm) and Tunie’s husband, jazz-singer, Gregory Generet. Also present were Film in the City vice president, Elisa Keys and London-based BSkyB network programming executive, Jane Ronchetti. Tamara Tunie is best known for her seven-season role as medical examiner, Melinda Warner on NBC’s 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'. She was also a regular on the daytime drama 'As the World Turns' and the hit series, '24'. Other notable TV appearances include 'Sex and the City' and 'NYPD Blue'. Tunie’s numerous theater credits include 'Julius Caesar' with Denzel Washington. The evening’s moderator, ABC’s Vicki Mabrey was previously a CBS correspondent for '60 Minutes II' from its launch in January 1999. Prior to her role at the news magazine, she served for three years as the CBS London correspondent covering stories throughout Europe and the Middle East. Mabrey is the recipient of four Emmy Awards: two in 1997 for her reporting on the death of Princess Diana, and two in 1996 for her coverage of the Atlanta Olympic bombing and the crash of TWA Flight 800. (Event photography by Ven Staff for Quantock)

February 8, 2007: The debut US solo exhibition by artist Klara Landrat opened at the Gibraltar Lounge in New York. The month-long show, promoted by Quantock and curated by Zack Ashley, was launched with a private party for 60 guests at the venue in Soho. The Polish-born, American-trained painter showcased work from her feature collection "Intuitions Revealed" - a series of vibrant, evocative and arresting paintings and drawings inspired by her exploration of concepts from Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason. As expressed in her exhibition notes, Klara Landrat “….steps into the wonder of human perception that is possible beyond experience and exists without cognition. At the same time, a deft fluidity surrounding the murmured sexuality of her art signals her assured embrace of the corporeal energy coursing through her work.” (Event photography by Nik Rocklin for Quantock)

January 22, 2007: Celebrating the 98th anniversary of the birth of U Thant (United Nations Secretary-General, 1961-1971), Quantock client, the U Thant Institute hosted a luncheon at New York’s Metropolitan Club to welcome Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, spouse of the new United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Daw Aye Aye Thant, founder and president of the U Thant Institute, was joined in receiving Mrs. Ban by the spouses of UN Ambassadors, UN officials, philanthropists, international business executives, UTI trustees, directors, members and other distinguished guests. The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of the United Nations Development Fund for Women. The honorary chairwomen of the event were Mrs. Shauna Hinduja (Hinduja Group) and Mrs. Adele Smithers (Christopher D. Smithers Foundation.) Mrs. Fay Vassilakis (spouse of the Ambassador of Greece to the UN) and Mrs. Lee Hee-won (spouse of the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UN) chaired the luncheon which was coordinated by Kins Group CEO, Mrs. Gloria Starr Kins and UTI vice president for Administration, Ms. Carrie Gallagher. In her welcome address to Mrs. Ban, Aye Aye Thant announced the UTI’s new program, “Friendship Across Cultures” which is aimed at uniting young people from different countries and cultures through education. Also announced was the Institute’s 2007 support of the Jayanthi Lama Nivasaya orphanage in Pembe, Sri Lanka. In response, Mrs. Ban used her maiden speech as First Lady of the United Nations to thank Aye Aye Thant for the warm welcome she had received from the Institute. She then went on to share her recollection of the part that U Thant had played as a revered statesman in inspiring Mr. Ban Ki-moon to pursue his life-long career in diplomatic service. (Event photography by Raymund Galsim for Quantock)

December 10 & 11, 2006: Mo & Me, the award-winning, Quantock-represented documentary enjoyed a festival presentation and a special screening in the US capital. The film had its Washington, DC premiere at the New African Films Festival hosted by the American Film Institute's Silver Theater in Silver Spring, Maryland. The next day, the film received a well-attended private showing at the World Bank where producer Salim Amin addressed the organization's executives as well as those from the International Monetary Fund and other institutions. (Event photography by Ven Staff for Quantock)

December 1, 2006: Quantock client, the U Thant Institute celebrated its fourth annual lecture luncheon commemorating U Thant’s "Vision for Peace". UTI founder-president, Daw Aye Aye Thant was joined by her advisory trustees, directors, executive officers, Ambassadors of the Diplomatic Corps and other distinguished guests in the Private Delegates’ Dining Room at the United Nations. Master of Ceremonies was Anthony Fouracre, UTI's vice president for UN Affairs. A warm welcome was offered by UTI trustee, Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed and UTI board chairman, Dr. George J. Delaney. In her opening remarks, UTI president Daw Aye Aye Thant noted the significance of the lecture luncheon coinciding with World Aids Day and highlighted the institute’s work in health education. The president also used the occasion to unveil the institute’s launch plans for a water irrigation project in Pantanaw, Myanmar to be completed by the centenary of her father’s birth in 2009. The theme of this year’s lecture, "Promoting Oneness of the Human Community", was explored with insight, depth and candor by both guest speakers -- Dr. Shashi Tharoor, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications & Public Information, and Dr. Jonathan Clarke, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Council on Ethics & International Affairs. The afternoon was rounded off with readings from U Thant’s "Vision for Peace", offered this year by Pritha Subramanyam of the United Nations International School and Amanda Lanzarone, archive coordinator of Secretary-General Kofi Annan's selected official papers. (Event photography by Nik Rocklin for Quantock)

November 19, 2006: Quantock client, the Avignon/New York Film Festival, concluded its twelfth edition in the manner it had opened -- with wine, food, humor and camaraderie that lasted into the early hours. The eagerly awaited Closing Night film, “Romance and Cigarettes” by John Turturro, was presented to a large and appreciative audience at the Kaye Playhouse. The screening was preceded by a stirring awards ceremony conducted by festival founder-president, Jerry Rudes. The 21st Century Filmmaker Award for Best US Feature went to “JailCity” by Daniel Eberle of Brooklyn; France’s Zakia Tahri & Ahmed Bouchaala won Best European Feature with “For the Love of God” (“Pour l’amour de Dieu”), and Joshua Faudem’s “Blues by the Beach” received the Pierre Salinger Award for Documentary Filmmaking. The short film category saw the award for Best US Short go to Ken Kimmelman for “Hot Afternoons Have Been in Montana”. Matteo Minetto of Paris, competing in his debut festival, collected the award for Best European Short with “Intimità”. (Event photography by Nik Rocklin for Quantock)

November 15, 2006: The 12th Avignon/New York Film Festival, represented by Quantock, opened on Manhattan’s Upper East Side with a retrospective of Bob Rafelson’s "Five Easy Pieces" followed by seminars, afternoon presentations and an evening reception. Jerry Rudes, founder and president of Avignon/New York and Pat Swinney Kaufman, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office for Motion Picture and Television Development got Opening Night proceedings underway with welcoming remarks. The audience then settled down to "Le Diner" - a charming short by Cecile Vernant; and "The Big Bad Swim" - an engaging and entertaining debut feature by Ishai Setton. (Event photography by Nik Rocklin for Quantock)

November 12, 2006: Quantock client, the Avignon/New York Film Festival, hosted a Gala Dinner in Manhattan to honor the actor/writer/director John Turturro. The event was held at internationally-acclaimed restaurant Daniel and proved to be a wonderful curtain-raiser to the 12th Avignon/New York Film Festival featuring a directorial retrospective of John Turturro's work. The Gala enjoyed a moment of film-making and wine-making history when the actor/director was presented with the 1st Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cinema Award. Jerry Rudes, founder and president of the Avignon Film Festival and the Avignon/New York Film Festival, steered the evening with tremendous wit and great charm - much to the delight of the audience. Among those present at the dinner with John Turturro, his wife Katherine Borowitz and friends were filmmakers, Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine - co-directors of "Ballets Russes"; Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Motion Picture & Television Development, Pat Swinney Kaufman; CAA agents, Bart Walker and Christina Bazdekis; global M&A tax attorney, Deborah Paul; and proprietor of Daniel - the master-chef, Daniel Boulud. (Event photography by Nik Rocklin for Quantock)

October 5, 2006: "Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin" -- an award-winning documentary represented by Quantock, was celebrated with a cocktail reception at the Mertz Gilmore Foundation in Manhattan. Filmmakers Nancy Kates and Bennett Singer of Question Why Films joined Rustin Estate executor & archivist Walter Naegle in paying tribute to the extraordinary vision of Bayard Rustin -- the “invisible hero” of the civil rights movement.

June 21, 2006: "Mo & Me" -- an award-winning production represented by Quantock, was feted at the British Academy of Film & Television Arts by a distinguished audience of politicians, broadcasters, diplomats and business leaders. Sponsored by Barclays International Private Bank and Camerapix, the special London presentation of Mo & me came just weeks after its success at the New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.

May 17, 2006: After a memorable start to its festival run, "Mo & Me" -- a Quantock-represented award-winning documentary, enjoyed a lavish and thrilling African premiere in its home city of Nairobi. The celebratory event attracted large number of dignitaries as well as media and business personalities from various parts of the continent and beyond. (Event photography by Camerapix for Quantock)

May 9, 2006: Quantock president, Samuel Garrick and client filmmaker, Salim Amin (CEO of Camerapix), hosted a festival screening of Amin’s documentary, "Mo & Me" (www.moandme.net). The award-winning film was in competition at the New York International Independent Film and Video Festival and went on to take the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature. The 96-minute film, directed by Roger Mills and Murad Rayani, and narrated by Salim Amin, follows the life of acclaimed Kenyan, Mohamed “Mo” Amin – long acknowledged as Africa’s greatest photojournalist – and remembered for giving the world a ground-level view of historic events in Africa, Asia and the Middle East for over three decades. Guests at the well-attended East Village event included veteran news anchor, Tom Brokaw; Kenyan Ambassador to the United States, Lily Sambu; her counterpart at the United Nations, George Owuor; Louverture Films co-founder, Joslyn Barnes; United Nations news chief, Ahmad Fawzi; Council on Foreign Relations member, Roland Paul; Unicef producer, Dan Thomas; CNN reporter, Stephanie Smith; and Kenyan Assistant Information Minister, Koigi wa Wamwere. (Event photography by Sean Dixon for Quantock)