A WILLIAM NUNEZ DOCUMENTARY

THE CONQUEROR HOLLYWOOD FALLOUT

THE CONQUEROR 1 DISCLAIMER: The information provided is for information purposes only. The content is not, and should not be deemed to be an offer of, or invitation to engage in any investment activity. This should not be construed as advice, or a personal recommendation by Red Rock Entertainment Ltd. Red Rock Entertainment Ltd is not authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The content of this promotion is not authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA). Reliance on the promotion for the purpose of engaging in any investment activity may expose an individual to a significant risk of losing all of the investment. UK residents wishing to participate in this promotion must fall into the category of sophisticated investor or high net worth individual as outlined by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). THE CONQUEROR A WILLIAM NUNEZ DOCUMENTARY

CONTENTS 4 History 5 Synopsis 7 Downwinders 8 Themes| Research - Interview Subjects - Visual 9 Narrator 10 Director’s Statement 11 Writer | Director 12 | 13 Production Companies 15 Executive Producers 16 Post- Production Company 17 Equity 18 | 19 EIS 20 | 21 Perk & Benefits 22 Press and Reference Links THE HISTORY

“IT HAS GONE INTO OUR DNA. I’VE LOST COUNT OF THE FRIENDS I’VE BURIED. I’M NOT PATRIOTIC. MY GOVERNMENT LIED TO ME!”

- ST. GEORGE UTAH RESIDENT, 2015

The story of a failed Hollywood epic and the devasting repercussions it had, not only on some of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, but the residents of a desert town in Utah where the film was shot.

The 1956 production, “The Conqueror” was an unmitigated flop despite having major movie stars , , and Pedro Armendariz.

The Dick Powell directed film has gone down as not just one of the worst films of the , but one of the worst ever. The greater claim to infamy however is the question of whether the choice of shooting location, St. George, Utah was responsible for the deaths of some of the most revered actors of Hollywood’s golden era?

Did the US Atomic Energy commission which tested an atomic bomb in the area, the year before, which was eight times more powerful than Hiroshima, not only devastate Hollywood but also an entire community, which still suffers the fallout today?

4 THE CONQUEROR THE SYNOPSIS

JOHN WAYNE DICK POWELL HOWARD HUGHES When Hollywood legend John Howard Hughes (in what would John Wayne was looking for Wayne played in be his final film production) opportunities to stretch as an the 1956 film, “The Conqueror”, asked the US Atomic Energy actor and show audiences he he quickly secured his place on Commission if St. George was was more than a cowboy. His every “Worst Film of All time safe for filming. The Agency personal life was going through List” for the next 50 years as his assured the world famous changes as his divorce from his portrayal was so wooden, and producer and aviator that it was wife became final, and was now his casting so ill advised, that safe, and with that assurance engaged to his next wife. Susan the film became a cautionary moved an entire film company Hayward had just won an Oscar tale against stunt casting. to the desert sands of Utah to for Best Actress and wanted film what he believed to be the to work with the biggest box However, the biggest disaster epics to end all epics. office draw in the US. She was that eventually engulfed “The embroiled in drama herself Conqueror” had nothing to do Production began in Snow during shooting as she was in with the acting. Of the film’s Canyon, 12 miles from St. the midst of a divorce and child 220 cast and crew members, George where the cast and custody case and had to fly to 91 eventually developed cancer. crew set up home base. Los Angeles every other day to attend. A year before filming began, on Producer/Director Dick Powell the morning of May 19th 1953, and location scouts were said The windstorms that the US government conducted to have armed themselves interrupted shooting were one of the dirtiest atmospheric with Geiger counters to test caked in radioactive materials, detonations of all time. the radiation levels prior to but the real problem lay in allowing any cast and crew to John Wayne’s performance The nuclear test released begin work, but government as Genghis Khan. Accidents a radioactive cloud that experts assured them that the and mishaps as well as Ms. ascended to an elevation of location was completely safe, Hayward’s volatile behaviour 11,600 feet before topping and the levels were within made “The Conqueror” an out and heading east where the allowed range. The US exercise in patience by Dick it showered unsuspecting government and its scientists Powell. According to some civilians with radiation up to knew how to make weapons crew and production members, 170 miles from the test site. of mass destruction, but they John Wayne never picked had little knowledge of any up the script until he arrived The radiation landed right on immediate or long-term impact on location. the unsuspecting residents of that these weapons would St. George, Utah, where “The have, especially in the path Conqueror” would film 13 that the mushroom of fallout months later. travelled after detonation.

THE CONQUEROR 5 THE SYNOPSIS

PEDRO ARMENDARIZ SUSAN HAYWARD AGNES MOOREHEAD When he finally read the script, tons of the radioactive sand his outlook more dire. John he became concerned about shipped back to Los Angeles Wayne was diagnosed in 1965, the difficult dialogue he had to thus endangering more crew he had a lung and part of his learn for that of a 12th Century and staff. After filming, John rib cage removed, but true to warrior from Mongolia. It was Wayne and Susan Hayward his legendary status would too late to rewrite the script moved on to other projects continue working even winning but more the 50% would be and quickly forgot about the an Oscar in 1969 for “True Grit” revised during production. Conqueror. before dying in 1979. Agnes Moorehead passed away from Susan Hayward knew the The critics had a field day when uterine cancer in 1974 followed script was bad and the casting the film finally premiered. Time by Susan Hayward in 1975 of ridiculous. Magazine said it best in their brain cancer. review of the picture, “No one She would hurl insults in the comes out of this train wreck Howard Hughes pulled The front of everyone, and yell holding their head up.” Conqueror out of circulation out, “A red hair Tartar! Did an shortly after it was released Irishman stop off on the road Then the illnesses came. Dick and it has been said he spent to Old Cathay!” Red hair aside, Powell was diagnosed with his final days watching the red contaminated sand kept cancer and succumbed to it in film in the darkness of his whipping around the set not 1963. Pedro Armendariz was screening room. to mention the heavy costumes given a terminal diagnosis in that the cast had to wear in 120 1962, after he got a supporting Perhaps regret at greenlighting degrees! role in the James Bond film a terrible project or remorse at “From Russia with Love” the human toll the film took on For 2nd Unit shooting back at and committed suicide once the filmmaking community. RKO studios, Powell had 60 filming was complete and

6 THE CONQUEROR THE DOWNWINDERS

The residents of St. George, Utah were forgotten about as soon as the production wrapped, and everyone departed back to Los Angeles. In the 1960s, studies found that the leukemia rate in children in the St. George region was about 6.03 for every 100,000. Death of children in the region from leukemia totalled 32 in the first 10 years after the blast. Army personnel involved with the test were speaking up against the high incidents of cancers among army personnel and appealed for disability payments.

Residents who took up the cause were named “The Downwinders” because of the trajectory of the wind from the test site to their communities. The Downwinders initiated a lawsuit against the US government, and today are activists against nuclear testing. There are archive interviews from residents as well as actors such as Jeanne Gerson who played Bortai’s nurse in the picture. She filed a class action suit against the US government, alleging that she had contracted skin and breast cancer as a result of radioactive exposure during filming.

Between 1986 and 1994, there were more than 500 demonstrations at the Nevada testing site culminating in 15,740 reported arrests. The tests continued however well into the 1990s and only in 2007, a scheduled test for the same region was cancelled due to massive protests. Congress held hearings into the correlation between the tests in the Nevada/Utah region and the incidents of cancer from residents in both states.

After decades of misinformation and claims there was no danger or health issues due to nuclear fallout, the US government finally acknowledged it made mistakes and awarded the residents of St. George, Utah a $2 billion dollar settlement.

THE CONQUEROR 7 THEMES | RESEARCH

1. Deep dive into the Atomic Energy Commission and the nuclear testing program.

2. Why make “The Conqueror” and a history of the production from concept to premiere.

3. The impact and legacy of nuclear testing near civilian populations.

4. Government denial and concealments reveal that nothing has changed since the 1950’s.

INTERVIEW SUBJECTS 1. Family members of John Wayne, Susan Hayward, , Pedro Armendariz, Dick Powell as well as the surviving crew members and or their families to discuss the impact of working on The Conqueror.

2. Interview with Rudolph Herzog, author of “A Short History of Nuclear Folly”.

3. Surviving personnel from the Howard Hughes organisation.

4. St. George Historical society, including fresh interviews with the Downwinders organisation. VISUALS 1. Movie clips from “The Conqueror” as well as clips from the actors other films.

2. Files and archives from the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences as well as the estates of John Wayne, Susan Hayward and Howard Hughes.

3. Photographic stills of the principals.

4. Newsreels of Hollywood of the 1950s which include both glamour and nuclear test footage.

8 THE CONQUEROR NARRATOR

The intention is to secure a voiceover from a contemporary Hollywood legend. Other possible narration devices will come from the residents of St. George, Utah and archival interviews from the cast and crew of The Conqueror.

POTENTIAL NARRATORS

SACHA BARON COHEN JANE FONDA GLENN CLOSE

MORGAN FREEMAN ALEC BALDWIN ED HARRIS

THE CONQUEROR 9 DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Successful documentaries, My job in “The Conqueror” is in the characters of Hollywood like their fiction counterparts, to invite the audience to weigh and our governments. Of tell a good story and have the evidence and judge human course, there can be no film engaging characters, values. A good documentary without access to people and narrative tension as well as an is good drama and shows their lives so I aspire to set up integrated point of view. These people in a struggle to right a partnership like the “poet as elements are fundamental the wrongs that others or witness” that Seamus Heaney to all stories and are present governments impose. The describes in his discussion of in myth, legend, sagas, and motifs and devices I will use World War I poets. folk tales. The Conqueror is will include interviews with a project wrapped around living participants and their As the poet TS Eliot said, ‘it is these themes of humankind’s relatives, reenactment of an the function of all art to give organised elements. ailing Howard Hughes isolated us some perception of an order and in the dark watching “The in life by imposing an order on After learning about “The Conqueror” over and over as it.’ As a filmmaker, I have an Conqueror” and the cancer well as showing his OCD traits ardent respect for the integrity rates amongst the cast and of his final years. I will also of the actual, for the primacy crew as well as the victims of use cross cutting between of the truth in the lives of real St. George, Utah, I knew this the development and prep of people both great and small. is a story I want to tell in an the film alongside of the prep original way by giving the and detonation of the “Dirty The mission of this film is not victims a voice in telling their Harry” bomb in Nevada whose to change or evade destiny stories of the making of the radiation fallout travelled but rather embrace it, to speak film as well the residents who downwind to Utah. passionately of its presence stayed behind. The film’s style in history and to examine the will take care of itself. It is My main task in “The choices available for making far more important to make Conqueror” will be to point a more humane and generous the conflicts and stakes clear out the superficial and reveal society for the future. and justifiable. deeper truths. At the same time, I must show these truths WILLIAM NUNEZ, NEW YORK A documentary shares a way in human life and uncover the 2021 of seeing and evoking feelings. ambiguities and contradictions

10 THE CONQUEROR WRITER|DIRECTOR

WILLIAM NUNEZ

William Nunez is a writer/ director of award-winning television programmes, commercials, and short subjects now making feature films. Mr. Nunez is a principal at North End Pictures, the production company that has produced much of his work.

In 2020, Mr. Nunez produced and directed the feature film, “The Laureate”, a story based on the life of British poet Robert Graves. “The Laureate” stars Tom Hughes, Dianna Agron, Laura Haddock, and Julian Glover. Mr. Nunez also wrote the screenplay.

He is currently in development has also directed presidential “Fear Of Man” won the Golden on the feature film projects, debates during every election Hugo Award at the Chicago “Death Benefits” and Carnaval”. cycle from 2000-2016. Film Festival.

Mr. Nunez has directed over In 2020, he was nominated for All of his shorts have been 100 commercials for clients an Emmy Award in the News/ screened in 24 countries such as Sony, Amtrak, New Documentary category for Best and played to festivals such York Institute of Photography, Live Interview. as Marbella, Rio de Janiero Crest Toothpaste and Philippe Film Festival, Ghent, Denver Patek. He also worked as a Mr. Nunez has also directed, amongst others. director and show runner wrote, and co-produced two for news stations CNN and award winning short subjects William splits his time between NBC where he has won the “Full Metal Racket” and “Fear New Jersey and Spain with his prestigious journalism prizes Of Man”. “Full Metal Racket” family, he also enjoys reading, Peabody Award (twice) and was in competition at the walks, his guitars and working Dupont Award. Mr. Nunez Cannes Film Festival and away on his projects.

THE CONQUEROR 11 PRODUCTION COMPANY

North End Pictures produces commercials, television programming, feature as well as short films, and consult for media companies looking to launch or expand their media operations. Principals William Nunez and Douglas Waller have run North End Pictures since 2000 and the company has been moving from strength to strength.

North End Pictures has produced the short films, “Full Metal Racket”, “Fear of Man”, “Around the World in 90 Seconds” and “Boxing Day”. Each short film has screened in prestigious film festivals such as Cannes, Montreal, Chicago, Ghent, Melbourne, and Cinequest film festivals. They have been shown in 24 countries.

Committed to developing and producing a variety of genres, “The Laureate” which stars Tom Hughes, Dianna Agron, and Laura Haddock will be released in 2021. CAA and Metro International are handling sales and has been invited to the Barcelona Indie Film Festival.

Other projects on North End’s slate are “Carnaval”, “The Conqueror”, “Death Benefits” and “Press Your Luck” which are in various stages of development.

I wanted to congratulate you on I watched The Laureate last finishing the project under very night and thoroughly enjoyed it, trying conditions. The movie seriously, it’s a superb piece of is extremely engaging and an work and I can’t imagine. anyone obvious hit. not getting caught up in the story.

You have extracted very strong performances. The music is enchanting and very I loved it, such an insight into complimentary to the visuals. RED ROCK ENTERTAINMENT’S some remarkable people, the Overall top marks. My sincere INVESTOR’S EXCLUSIVE power struggle in relationships compliments to you, the cast and DIGITAL SCREENING and creative expression. the crew. Amazing story. A GREAT SUCCESS!

12 THE CONQUEROR PRODUCTION COMPANY

SALON PICTURES

Salon is a dynamic, modern day, multi-disciplinary Creator and Producer of Feature Film, Documentary, TV and Branded Content.

Award-winning and BAFTA nominated producers Nick Taussig and Paul Van Carter founded Salon in 2013. With a focus on exceptional material, Salon is committed to a close creative relationship with talent, to develop and produce a portfolio of intelligent, unique films and documentaries and manage this library in the marketplace.

Salon’s latest production, “Stardust”, a feature film which chronicles the young David Bowie’s first visit to the US in 1971, a trip that inspired the invention of his iconic alter ego Ziggy Stardust, world premiered at Tribeca and was released by IFC in November 2020.

The feature documentary, “Audrey” about the life & work of Hollywood and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn was released by Netflix and Universal internationally in November 2020.

Salon is currently in production on “Lioness” an Amazon original about the life of boxer Nicola Adams, and “A Space in Time”, a candid, lyrical, intimate portrait of one family’s struggle to transcend a merciless disease. It’s latest feature documentary, “The Spy Who Fell to Earth” is on Netflix.

Salon’s productions include the feature films, “Churchill”, “My Name is Lenny” and “Lek & The Dogs”. As well as feature documentaries, “McQueen”, “Billion Dollar Game”, “Chasing Perfect”, “Fred”, “Gascoigne” and “The Challenge”.

THE CONQUEROR 13 14 THE CONQUEROR EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

WALKING WITH ELEPHANTS THE ULTIMATE DOCUMENTARY

Red Rock Entertainment is a film-finance company, based at the world famous Elstree Studios, home to some of the biggest TV shows on UK

WALKING WITH THE ELEPHANTS 1 television and the studio of choice for many successful British filmmakers. Working in conjunction with many of the UK’s top production companies to raise equity for film, TV content and film distribution, Red Rock Entertainment offers a number of tax-efficient opportunities to investors. They primarily work on projects that are at an advanced stage and are looking for the final tranche of financing. They focus on film and TV projects that have commercial appeal, an identifiable audience, controllable costs and a sound financial structure. They also require that certain elements are in place before they commit investors to any film or TV venture. As an executive producer, Red Rock Entertainment can arrange for investors to visit sets during filming, appear as extras and attend private screenings. It also regularly arranges seminars at Elstree Studios, at which high-profile corporate and financial specialists offer advice and insight into the various tax advantages of investing in the UK film industry. Executive producers either personally fund or raise the funding for motion pictures or television shows. They essentially act as the financial backer, helping production companies to secure the finances they need to drive their creative projects to the distribution stage. As executive producers, Red Rock Entertainment’s main role during the production process is to ensure that its film and TV projects are progressing according to schedule and budget. Although they have no direct input into a project’s editorial or artistic execution, they do have a say over anything that could affect its timing or marketability.

THE CONQUEROR 15 POST PRODUCTION COMPANY

LIPSYNC HAS BEEN PROVIDING A COMPLETE RANGE OF POST PRODUCTION SERVICES TO THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY FOR NEARLY 25 YEARS.

LIPSYNC Post is an internationally recognised post-house, providing post-production services to the film and television industry for over 30 years.

It started out from an office in Barnes doing shortform, such as founder Peter Hampden’s work on the trailer campaigns for Basic Instinct.

‘Part of their job is managing expectations and getting post done on time and on budget’.

With regular festival appearances and over 200 major award nominations and wins, LIPSYNC has become one of the UK’s leading production partners.

LipSync has one of London’s most highly regarded and versatile boutique VFX houses, producing award-winning visual effects for a wide range of film and TV productions for UK and international clients. Their experienced team brings outstanding artistic talent, ground-breaking technology and thorough planning to every single shot. They find innovative solutions that not only suit each project but also exceed client expectations.

Post-production include “The Laureate”, “King Arthur: Legend of the Sword”, “Total Recall”, “Kick Ass”, “Hellboy 2”, “Stardust”, “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”, “28 Weeks Later”, “Batman Begins”, “Mr Turner” and “The Hurricane Heist”.

16 THE CONQUEROR EQUITY

Red Rock Entertainment works in conjunction with numerous UK film companies to raise equity for independent film projects. It focuses on those films that have already been completed or are almost complete, but require a final tranche of funding to cover the distribution costs.

Investing in films can offer generous returns. The benefits extend far beyond the sale of box-office tickets: DVD sales, licensing to TV broadcasters and online platforms, and merchandising revenue all count towards a film’s profit and can continue to generate returns for many years after its theatrical release. The chance to be part of the magic of the movie industry is another perk of many film-investment opportunities. In some cases, your investment entitles you to appear in the movie as an extra, attend film premières and red-carpet events, and see your name appear in the credits at the end of the film.

As well as the potential for high returns, long-term earnings and a close encounter with show business, investing in the film industry can also offer tax-relief benefits. A range of incentives are available to those who chose to invest in an SEIS or EIS film- investment scheme.

THE CONQUEROR 17 EIS

The UK has two government-sponsored investment schemes for direct investment in companies: the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS). Both schemes, which offer generous tax relief, were set up to encourage investment into start-up businesses that are not listed on a stock exchange. Investment in unquoted companies often carries a high risk. The tax relief is intended to offer some compensation for that risk.

Enterprise Investment Scheme

The Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) was introduced by the UK government in 1994 with the aim of helping small UK companies to raise capital from private investors. While an EIS investment is not without risk, the incentives for those looking for tax-efficient ways to invest are extremely attractive.

These benefits include:

Income Tax Relief Investors can claim a rebate of 30% of the amount invested from income tax paid in the year prior to investment, or on tax that is owed in the tax year of investment. Relief can be claimed on up to a maximum of £1,000,000 invested in shares in EIS-qualifying companies, giving a maximum tax reduction in any one year of £300,000, providing the investor has sufficient income-tax liability to cover it. Shares must be held for at least 3 years.

18 THE CONQUEROR EIS

Capital Gains Tax Deferral If investors have any capital gains tax to pay in the current or next tax year, or if they have paid capital gains tax in the last two to three years, they can claim back or defer tax to the equivalent of up to 20% (or 28% if the gain is on a residential property or for 2015/16) of the capital they have invested in the EIS-qualifying company. If the gain is deferred, when the EIS shares are disposed of then the gain will crystallise at the prevailing rate at that time. The payment of tax on a capital gain can be deferred where the gain is invested in the shares of an EIS-qualifying company. A capital gain can arise from the disposal of any kind of asset, but the investment must be made within a period of one year before or three years after the gain arose. There are no minimum or maximum amounts for deferral, nor is there a minimum period for which the shares must be held. The deferred capital gain is brought back into charge whenever the shares are disposed of, or are deemed to have been disposed of under the EIS legislation.

Loss Relief If a loss is made on the disposal of EIS shares then the loss, less the 30% initial relief may be set against income or capital gains for tax purposes.

Key Points

EIS investors can place a Companies seeking No inheritance tax to be maximum of £1,000,000 in a investment must be paid after two years. No single tax year, which can based in the UK and have income tax or capital gains be spread over a number a permanent base in tax to be paid on any profits on disposal. of companies. the country. A company can raise no more The company’s trade must Loss relief on any monies lost than £5,000,000 in total via be no more than seven can be claimed at current EIS investment in a 12 month years old. tax rate. period. Tax relief of 30% can be Monies must remain in the Investors have no control claimed in the current or company for three years to over companies that receive previous tax year (from date benefit from the above. their capital and must not of share certificate). hold more than a 30% stake in any company in which A capital gains deferral can be they invest. claimed against the current tax year.

THE CONQUEROR 19 PERKS & BENEFITS

FILM SET VISITS Patience is a virtue — and never more so than on a film set. Pick your moment to approach an actor carefully; it’s never a good idea to disturb talent when they are shooting a scene, or preparing to shoot one. So be prepared to wait for the right moment to take a picture or ask for an autograph. You will probably be assigned with a ‘runner’ from the production company, whose job it will be to look after you and let you know what’s going on.

APPEARING AS AN EXTRA Being an investor also gives you the opportunity to be cast as a background actor, or extra.

This is a performer in a film or television show who appears in a non-speaking capacity, usually in the background to the central action as an audience member, for example, or a passer-by in the street.

Punctuality, reliability and the ability to take direction are important if you want to experience the thrill of appearing as an extra in front of the camera.

PRIVATE SCREENINGS Private film screenings form part of a film’s production and release cycle. To show off the film to its best advantage, special preview screenings are routinely held in low seat-count theatres offering high-quality projection and sound equipment.

These events, which are usually accompanied by food and drink, also feature commentary from the film’s producers, writers or actors. The guest list for a private screening typically includes VIP media personalities, investors, and key marketing and distribution executives.

20 THE CONQUEROR PERKS & BENEFITS

RED CARPET EVENTS A red-carpet premiere is the highpoint of a film’s release.

Attended by its stars, alongside A-list celebrities, industry moguls and the media, they epitomise the Hollywood dream.

When one of our films premieres, our investors are invited to join us on the red carpet, and experience the glitz and glamour of showbiz for themselves.

NAME IN THE CREDITS PHOTOS WITH THE STARS

MEMORABILIA As an investor, if available you will have access to film memorabilia, including autographs, brochures, props, advertising material and scripts. These are not just great keepsakes — if a film goes on to be successful, they can also be valuable in their own right. (below only examples)

THE CONQUEROR 21 PRESS COVERAGE AND REFERENCES

Click for link

The Conqueror (1956 film)

Click for link

Hollywood and the downwinders still grapple with nuclear fallout

Click for link

The Conqueror: The story of the most toxic movie in Hollywood history

Click for link

The Children of John Wayne, Susan Hayward and Dick Powell Fear That Fallout Killed Their Parents

22 THE CONQUEROR THE CONQUEROR 23 THE CONQUEROR A WILLIAM NUNEZ DOCUMENTARY

Suite 12 Elstree Studios, Shenley Rd, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, WD6 1JG, UK Telephone: +44 203 745 5380 www.redrockentertainment.com

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