Film Streams, UNO to host "The Insider" consultant as speaker

A key player in the major court case against the Tobacco industry in the 1990s will come to Omaha for a movie screening and discussion free to UNO staff, faculty and students.On Nov. 17, Ruth Sokolof's Film Streams, along with the UNO's Department of History and College of Arts and Sciences as well as the University of Nebraska Foundation, will host a special screening of "The Insider."

The film, which originally aired in November 1995, tells the story of a "60 Minutes" TV series exposŠ from the perspective of real tobacco executive Jeffrey Wigand. "The Insider" later became an integral tool used in the court case made by a number of states against the tobacco companies which resulted in a $246 billion settlement by the industry. The film was later released on Nov. 5, 1999.

The collaborative event will also include a discussion with environmental attorney Charles J. Mikhail following the movie. Mikhail played a leading role in compiling the real-life court case against Big Tobacco, the plot for which "The Insider" is based on. Mikhail also worked as the film's consultant, helping director Michael Mann and the movie's crew, including actors Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, Christopher Plummer and Rip Torn.

"The Insider" will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is free for all UNO staff, faculty and students with a valid UNO ID. However, the free tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis and are limited in number.

The screening is also open to the public. General admission tickets are $8. Senior, teacher and other student tickets are $6 and Film Stream member tickets are $4. To purchase advance tickets, visit Film Streams online at filmstreams.org or the Ruth Sokolof Theater's Box Office, located in downtown Omaha at 1340 Webster St.