Road to Perdition Premiere Benefits the IRC

	Cast members from "Road to Perdition" at the New York Premiere July 9th to benefit the IRC and Hole in the Wall Gang Camps. From left: Tom Hanks, Liam Aiken, Sam Mendes, Tyler Hoechlin, Daniel Craig, Jude Law, and IRC supporter Paul Newman. (Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage for IRC)

“Road to Perdition,” starring Paul Newman, Tom Hanks and Jude Law, premiered Tuesday night at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York.

Ticket sales raised some $200,000 for both the International Rescue Committee and The Association of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps.  More than 1,100 people attended the premiere and a reception that followed at Grand Central Station’s Vanderbilt Hall.

The screening became a benefit at the suggestion of Newman, a long-time donor and supporter of the IRC and the founder of the Hole in the Wall Gang.  DreamWorks covered all expenses of the event.

“We are very grateful to Paul Newman and DreamWorks for recognizing the critical needs of refugees and extending a helping hand,” said George Rupp, the IRC’s president.

Before the screening, Paul Newman spoke to the packed theater about the two beneficiary organizations.  He applauded the work of the IRC, saying, “This is a humanitarian organization that has been assisting refugees around the world for 70 years.”

“Road to Perdition,” directed by Sam Mendes, is a depression-era crime drama set in Illinois. Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks) is a hit-man for his surrogate father, who is a mob boss (Paul Newman).  When Sullivan's young son witnesses his father participating in a hit, Sullivan seeks to protect him while embarking on a mission to lead the boy to a different path in life.  At the same time, Sullivan seeks revenge for the gang-slaying of his wife and youngest son.

Click here to learn more about "Road to Perdition."