Exclusive: Prime Video’s UK arm has pre-bought a suite of true crime docs about some of Britain’s most notorious crimes. The deals with London-based distributor Abacus Media Rights also include acquisitions of two completed series.
On the pre-buy front, the Amazon streamer has taken Woodcut Media double Murder in a Tea Cup and Murder at First Swipe, Peninsula Television’s Scissor Sisters, Big Little Fish’s Breaking Dad: The Richard Lubbock Story (working title) and Future Studios’ Lucie Blackman: Missing in Tokyo.
The acquisitions are Peninsula three-part shows The Heiress and the Heist and Confession of a Crime Boss.
Prime Video has tapped Amcomri Entertainment-owned Abacus for true crime docs several times over recent years, including for originals on Ian Brady, the murder of Meredith Kercher and Patrick Mackay.
From the new programs, Murder in a Tea Cup looks into one of the most intriguing and...
On the pre-buy front, the Amazon streamer has taken Woodcut Media double Murder in a Tea Cup and Murder at First Swipe, Peninsula Television’s Scissor Sisters, Big Little Fish’s Breaking Dad: The Richard Lubbock Story (working title) and Future Studios’ Lucie Blackman: Missing in Tokyo.
The acquisitions are Peninsula three-part shows The Heiress and the Heist and Confession of a Crime Boss.
Prime Video has tapped Amcomri Entertainment-owned Abacus for true crime docs several times over recent years, including for originals on Ian Brady, the murder of Meredith Kercher and Patrick Mackay.
From the new programs, Murder in a Tea Cup looks into one of the most intriguing and...
- 1/10/2024
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Tech entrepreneur and producer Oleg Shardin, best known as the co-founder of digital whiteboard company Miro, and actor-producer Alex Lane have partnered to create multimedia production company Puma In A Tank.
The new banner will specialize in low to mid-level budget elevated thriller films and TV shows focusing on international components and socially relevant themes.
The company has already raised financing to co-fund a slate of films and TV shows and will seek strategic partnerships on a project-per-project basis.
Partners include venture capitalist Joachim Laqueur, M&a and business strategy expert Vasiliy Lantsov and corporate finance professional Igor Shardin.
First projects include female-driven thriller feature film Speak Up, directed by award-winning Irish filmmaker Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair (Balor Hall); American dramedy TV series Driver A.D., based on the international bestseller Driving The Saudis by Jayne Amelia Larson, who also co-created the series, as well as female-driven futuristic thriller A Better Place.
The new banner will specialize in low to mid-level budget elevated thriller films and TV shows focusing on international components and socially relevant themes.
The company has already raised financing to co-fund a slate of films and TV shows and will seek strategic partnerships on a project-per-project basis.
Partners include venture capitalist Joachim Laqueur, M&a and business strategy expert Vasiliy Lantsov and corporate finance professional Igor Shardin.
First projects include female-driven thriller feature film Speak Up, directed by award-winning Irish filmmaker Rioghnach Ni Ghrioghair (Balor Hall); American dramedy TV series Driver A.D., based on the international bestseller Driving The Saudis by Jayne Amelia Larson, who also co-created the series, as well as female-driven futuristic thriller A Better Place.
- 11/8/2023
- by Jesse Whittock and Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
West Cork in ‘The Heiress and The Heist’ (Photo Credit: Sundance Now)
Sundance Now’s docuseries The Heiress and the Heist explores the life of English heiress Rose Dugdale and her involvement in the Irish Republican Army (Ira). The three-part true crime documentary series charts Dugdale’s extraordinary transformation from debutante to rebel to art thief.
Directed by David Harvey and executive produced by Shannon Cooper, Jonathan Ford, Ronan Hand, and Mariana Rios Sanchez.
Sundance Now offered this description of documentary series:
The Heiress and the Heist chronicles Rose’s transformation as a revolutionary — from her early childhood in Devon to the time she spent in Limerick Prison — and includes historical events and the social upheavals that affected England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland from the late 1960s to mid-1970s. The focus of the series is the Russborough House heist from 1974, which was largely orchestrated by Dugdale...
Sundance Now’s docuseries The Heiress and the Heist explores the life of English heiress Rose Dugdale and her involvement in the Irish Republican Army (Ira). The three-part true crime documentary series charts Dugdale’s extraordinary transformation from debutante to rebel to art thief.
Directed by David Harvey and executive produced by Shannon Cooper, Jonathan Ford, Ronan Hand, and Mariana Rios Sanchez.
Sundance Now offered this description of documentary series:
The Heiress and the Heist chronicles Rose’s transformation as a revolutionary — from her early childhood in Devon to the time she spent in Limerick Prison — and includes historical events and the social upheavals that affected England, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland from the late 1960s to mid-1970s. The focus of the series is the Russborough House heist from 1974, which was largely orchestrated by Dugdale...
- 7/13/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Zinc Media label Supercollider has partnered with Idris Elba’s Green Door Pictures and Sabrina Elba’s Pink Towel on documentary series “Paid in Full: The Battle for Payback” (working title) for public broadcasters CBC and BBC.
The series (3 x 60′), produced in association with Catalyst, examines the exploitation of Black artists by the music industry and explores what it would look like for Black artists to receive reparations. It documents the extent of the historic injustice suffered by the music industry’s Black artists, including the disparity of profits received by them, despite having created the records that have driven the fabric and culture of popular music. The series will also look at racial inequality in the music industry both today and in the past.
The series features contributions from author and filmmaker Mk Asante Jr and Lawrence Lartey, director of innovation, industry and enterprise at Ravensbourne University London who...
The series (3 x 60′), produced in association with Catalyst, examines the exploitation of Black artists by the music industry and explores what it would look like for Black artists to receive reparations. It documents the extent of the historic injustice suffered by the music industry’s Black artists, including the disparity of profits received by them, despite having created the records that have driven the fabric and culture of popular music. The series will also look at racial inequality in the music industry both today and in the past.
The series features contributions from author and filmmaker Mk Asante Jr and Lawrence Lartey, director of innovation, industry and enterprise at Ravensbourne University London who...
- 5/22/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Abacus Media Rights has pre-sold a documentary feature with the working title “We Need to Talk About Kanye” to several territories. The film, which was ordered by the BBC in February, explores the rollercoaster life and career of Kanye West, A.K.A. Ye. Its producer Jeremy Lee spoke to Variety, ahead of MipTV, the TV market and conference, which kicks off Monday in Cannes.
A number of high-profile broadcasters and platforms have already acquired the film, which is fronted by the investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, including Foxtel in Australia, Npo in the Netherlands, TV4 in Sweden and Finland, Nrk in Norway, TV2 in Denmark, and Vrt in Flemish Belgium.
Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye’s controversial campaign to run as a candidate in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, and at a time when his behavior has sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, this...
A number of high-profile broadcasters and platforms have already acquired the film, which is fronted by the investigative journalist Mobeen Azhar, including Foxtel in Australia, Npo in the Netherlands, TV4 in Sweden and Finland, Nrk in Norway, TV2 in Denmark, and Vrt in Flemish Belgium.
Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye’s controversial campaign to run as a candidate in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election, and at a time when his behavior has sparked outrage and a re-evaluation of his place in popular culture, this...
- 4/17/2023
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
New York-based investment firm Mep Capital, which previously acquired the library of Lotus Entertainment, is launching West Side Pictures, a new independent rights management banner.
Along with Lotus Entertainment, Mep also recently acquired the distribution rights to over 500 films and TV shows previously owned by Kew Media, including “Line of Duty,” “Thank You For Smoking” and “Jack Taylor” and “Rules of Engagement.”
Now boasting a library comprising more than 800 movies, TV series and documentaries, Mep Capital has signed deals with Magnolia and Abacus Media Rights to handle the distribution of these titles in the U.S. and internationally, across streamers and TV channels.
West Side Pictures will also own and manage ongoing debt and equity participations positions in the late Roger Michell’s “Blackbird” and The Jim Henson Company’s “Portable Door,” among a dozen of productions funded by Mep Capital.
Prior acquisitions consolidated in West Side Pictures include the...
Along with Lotus Entertainment, Mep also recently acquired the distribution rights to over 500 films and TV shows previously owned by Kew Media, including “Line of Duty,” “Thank You For Smoking” and “Jack Taylor” and “Rules of Engagement.”
Now boasting a library comprising more than 800 movies, TV series and documentaries, Mep Capital has signed deals with Magnolia and Abacus Media Rights to handle the distribution of these titles in the U.S. and internationally, across streamers and TV channels.
West Side Pictures will also own and manage ongoing debt and equity participations positions in the late Roger Michell’s “Blackbird” and The Jim Henson Company’s “Portable Door,” among a dozen of productions funded by Mep Capital.
Prior acquisitions consolidated in West Side Pictures include the...
- 3/16/2023
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Prime Video UK & Ireland has boarded a pair of British true-crime series — one about the infamous Moors Murderer Ian Brady.
Murder in the Red Light will launch on the Amazon streamer on April 19, with Becoming Ian Brady following on May 10 after Prime Video licensed them from distributor Abacus Media Rights. Both shows are from UK unscripted indie Woodcut Media.
This marks the latest time Prime Video has boarded a Woodcut show that Abacus sells globally. In October, we told you Amazon had boarded The Murder of Meredith, a doc about the horrific killing of British student Meredith Kercher, and in January about Patrick Mackay feature Confessions of a Psycho Killer.
The three-part Murder in the Red Light looks into the decades of murder cases of vulnerable sex workers that rarely made the headlines in the UK and were not police priorities. However, the discovery of five women’s bodies...
Murder in the Red Light will launch on the Amazon streamer on April 19, with Becoming Ian Brady following on May 10 after Prime Video licensed them from distributor Abacus Media Rights. Both shows are from UK unscripted indie Woodcut Media.
This marks the latest time Prime Video has boarded a Woodcut show that Abacus sells globally. In October, we told you Amazon had boarded The Murder of Meredith, a doc about the horrific killing of British student Meredith Kercher, and in January about Patrick Mackay feature Confessions of a Psycho Killer.
The three-part Murder in the Red Light looks into the decades of murder cases of vulnerable sex workers that rarely made the headlines in the UK and were not police priorities. However, the discovery of five women’s bodies...
- 3/16/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Luke Arnold, Bella Heathcote and Jay Ryan are set to lead Scrublands, a TV adaptation of Chris Hammer’s novel for Australian streamer Stan.
We’ve learned production in underway in Victoria, Australia on the crime series, which is a co-commission of the Nine Network and its streamer Stan. Easy Tiger, which optioned rights to the story back in 2018, is producing in association with VicScreen.
Scrublands is set in isolated country town Riversend brought to its knees by endless drought, where a charismatic and dedicated young priest (Jay Ryan) calmly opens fire on his congregation, killing five parishioners. A year later, investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold) arrives to write what should be a simple feature story on the anniversary of the tragedy but when his instincts kick in and he digs beneath the surface, the previously accepted narrative begins to fall apart and he finds himself in a...
We’ve learned production in underway in Victoria, Australia on the crime series, which is a co-commission of the Nine Network and its streamer Stan. Easy Tiger, which optioned rights to the story back in 2018, is producing in association with VicScreen.
Scrublands is set in isolated country town Riversend brought to its knees by endless drought, where a charismatic and dedicated young priest (Jay Ryan) calmly opens fire on his congregation, killing five parishioners. A year later, investigative journalist Martin Scarsden (Luke Arnold) arrives to write what should be a simple feature story on the anniversary of the tragedy but when his instincts kick in and he digs beneath the surface, the previously accepted narrative begins to fall apart and he finds himself in a...
- 2/26/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Abacus Media Rights (Amr), an Amcomri Entertainment Company, and Herbert L. Kloiber’s Munich-based Night Train Media (Ntm) are launching pre-sales this week on the dark truths series “Conquistadors: The Rise and Fall” as Content Americas and Realscreen lift off in respectively in Miami and Austin.
The launch comes after Amr took on global distribution rights in association with Ntm on the six-part factual series, produced by Emmy-nominated Dash Pictures and Ntm. It sheds light on the harsh truths surrounding Europe’s dramatic wave of expansion from 1492 after Colombus landed in the Caribbean.
Via reportedly lavish reconstructions, framed by in-depth analysis by historical experts from the Americas and Spain, the series will lift the lid on the reality of the nearly century-long Conquest.
The Conquistadores saw themselves as Christian warriors, bringing God’s word to the world. The reality is that the Conquest, fuelled by Conquistadors’ obsessions with gold, power...
The launch comes after Amr took on global distribution rights in association with Ntm on the six-part factual series, produced by Emmy-nominated Dash Pictures and Ntm. It sheds light on the harsh truths surrounding Europe’s dramatic wave of expansion from 1492 after Colombus landed in the Caribbean.
Via reportedly lavish reconstructions, framed by in-depth analysis by historical experts from the Americas and Spain, the series will lift the lid on the reality of the nearly century-long Conquest.
The Conquistadores saw themselves as Christian warriors, bringing God’s word to the world. The reality is that the Conquest, fuelled by Conquistadors’ obsessions with gold, power...
- 1/24/2023
- by Liza Foreman
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Prime Video UK and Ireland had boarded feature documentary Confessions of a Psycho Killer.
The 90-minute feature takes viewers back to 1975, when the body of 63-year-old vicar Anthony Crean was found dead a quiet village in the English county Kent after a frenzied axe attack. A young man, Patrick Mackay, confessed to the killing and a series of follow up police interviews led to a disturbing series of confessions that spread into London.
Mackay, now aged 70, has been imprisoned in the UK since 1975 and is considered one of the country’s most deranged and prolific serial killers.
Prime Video took the doc through a deal brokered by UK distributor Abacus Media Rights. The feature comes from Woodcut Media and will launch on the streamer on February 1 in the UK and Ireland. Abacus will sell it elsewhere.
Amr and Woodcut teamed for another recent Prime Video true crime doc, The Murder of Meredith,...
The 90-minute feature takes viewers back to 1975, when the body of 63-year-old vicar Anthony Crean was found dead a quiet village in the English county Kent after a frenzied axe attack. A young man, Patrick Mackay, confessed to the killing and a series of follow up police interviews led to a disturbing series of confessions that spread into London.
Mackay, now aged 70, has been imprisoned in the UK since 1975 and is considered one of the country’s most deranged and prolific serial killers.
Prime Video took the doc through a deal brokered by UK distributor Abacus Media Rights. The feature comes from Woodcut Media and will launch on the streamer on February 1 in the UK and Ireland. Abacus will sell it elsewhere.
Amr and Woodcut teamed for another recent Prime Video true crime doc, The Murder of Meredith,...
- 1/20/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Fall” executive producer Patrick Irwin (pictured above) has set a new project, Victorian detective drama “Fitz & Merryweather.”
Abacus Media Rights are repping global sales, which will launch at Content London later this month.
“Fitz & Merryweather” was created by “Shameless” writer Ben Edwards and “Grantchester” writer Rachael New, who also worked together on PBS/Masterpiece series “Miss Scarlet and The Duke.”
“Upbeat crime drama series ‘Fitz & Merryweather’ is set against the backdrop of an everchanging London in the mid-19th century, as the hero detectives investigate cases of murder, theft, blackmail and missing persons,” reads the logline.
Also exec producing is “Clean Sweep’s” Patty Lenahan Ishimoto. Irwin and Lenahan Ishimoto also exec produced “Miss Scarlet and the Duke.”
While Victorian London has never traditionally been represented as diverse, the reality is it was a time of great social change, with people arriving from all over the world to seek...
Abacus Media Rights are repping global sales, which will launch at Content London later this month.
“Fitz & Merryweather” was created by “Shameless” writer Ben Edwards and “Grantchester” writer Rachael New, who also worked together on PBS/Masterpiece series “Miss Scarlet and The Duke.”
“Upbeat crime drama series ‘Fitz & Merryweather’ is set against the backdrop of an everchanging London in the mid-19th century, as the hero detectives investigate cases of murder, theft, blackmail and missing persons,” reads the logline.
Also exec producing is “Clean Sweep’s” Patty Lenahan Ishimoto. Irwin and Lenahan Ishimoto also exec produced “Miss Scarlet and the Duke.”
While Victorian London has never traditionally been represented as diverse, the reality is it was a time of great social change, with people arriving from all over the world to seek...
- 11/22/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Despite an ongoing pandemic, political unrest and frequent natural disasters due to global warming, viewers worldwide have not tired of true crime documentaries about horrific murders and inconceivable heists. True crime docus are enjoying unprecedented levels of global success. And while the marketplace may be saturated, the competition to find, produce and distribute the next story of a killer, fraudster or crypto criminal is intense. This year’s slate of true crime doc offerings at Mipcom is proof.
Distribution company Abacus Media Rights (Amr) is taking 14 true crime titles, including “Murdered at First Sight,” “Love You to Death” and “Murder: Fight for the Truth,” to the Cannes television market.
“More and more channels and platforms are taking on true crime content,” says Amr managing director Jonathan Ford.
“It’s content that supports a binge viewing model in two ways. One way is if it’s a serialized piece, viewers want...
Distribution company Abacus Media Rights (Amr) is taking 14 true crime titles, including “Murdered at First Sight,” “Love You to Death” and “Murder: Fight for the Truth,” to the Cannes television market.
“More and more channels and platforms are taking on true crime content,” says Amr managing director Jonathan Ford.
“It’s content that supports a binge viewing model in two ways. One way is if it’s a serialized piece, viewers want...
- 10/14/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Prime Video is to delve into the shocking murder of British student Meredith Kercher back in 2007.
Amazon’s streaming service has boarded The Murder of Meredith and taken UK and Ireland rights. British indie Woodcut Media is producing and distributor Abacus Media Rights has the rights elsewhere and will be selling the feature-length doc in Cannes at Mipcom.
The 90-minute doc is set to launch on Amazon in November after Abacus brokered an agreement with Amazon. It will look to reframe the narrative around the terrible events of November 1, 2007, when the 21-year-old Kercher was brutally murdered while studying in the Italian university town of Perugia
Her story led to a media frenzy full of speculation, twists and turns. Over the years, her life and reputation have been pulled apart and eclipsed by Amanda Knox, the American student and Kercher’s flatmate who was accused over her murder along with Rudy Guede and Raffaele Sollecito.
Amazon’s streaming service has boarded The Murder of Meredith and taken UK and Ireland rights. British indie Woodcut Media is producing and distributor Abacus Media Rights has the rights elsewhere and will be selling the feature-length doc in Cannes at Mipcom.
The 90-minute doc is set to launch on Amazon in November after Abacus brokered an agreement with Amazon. It will look to reframe the narrative around the terrible events of November 1, 2007, when the 21-year-old Kercher was brutally murdered while studying in the Italian university town of Perugia
Her story led to a media frenzy full of speculation, twists and turns. Over the years, her life and reputation have been pulled apart and eclipsed by Amanda Knox, the American student and Kercher’s flatmate who was accused over her murder along with Rudy Guede and Raffaele Sollecito.
- 10/11/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Noah Media Group Boards Irvine Welsh Doc
Netflix’s 14 Peaks producer Noah Media Group has boarded a documentary on cult Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh and will shop the show at Mipcom Cannes next week. I Am Irvine Welsh, from Ls Films, followed a year in the life of the Scottish auteur as he adapted Trainspotting into a West End musical, published a new novel, launched a record label and worked on two TV series. The doc reflects on a remarkable life after Welsh was propelled into the spotlight when Trainspotting became a cult classic, starring Ewan McGregor, and he has since been prolific across literature, screenwriting and music. BAFTA-nominated Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliché director Paul Sng is forging the doc, which is being exec produced by Sarah Drummond and produced by Natasha Dack. The show is 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible producer Noah’s first non-sport global sales project...
Netflix’s 14 Peaks producer Noah Media Group has boarded a documentary on cult Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh and will shop the show at Mipcom Cannes next week. I Am Irvine Welsh, from Ls Films, followed a year in the life of the Scottish auteur as he adapted Trainspotting into a West End musical, published a new novel, launched a record label and worked on two TV series. The doc reflects on a remarkable life after Welsh was propelled into the spotlight when Trainspotting became a cult classic, starring Ewan McGregor, and he has since been prolific across literature, screenwriting and music. BAFTA-nominated Poly Styrene: I Am A Cliché director Paul Sng is forging the doc, which is being exec produced by Sarah Drummond and produced by Natasha Dack. The show is 14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible producer Noah’s first non-sport global sales project...
- 10/10/2022
- by Jesse Whittock, Max Goldbart and Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Cattleya acquires rights to ‘El Italiano’
ITV Studios-owned Spanish drama house Cattleya Producciones has acquired rights to Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s bestselling novel El Italiano and will adapt it as a miniseries. Inspired by real events, El Italiano is a story of love, spies, and the sea set at the height of World War II in the Bay of Algeciras, where Italian combat divers are causing chaos among the Allied forces. Arturo Díaz, Managing Director and Executive Producer of Cattleya Producciones, and Ricardo Tozzi, founder and President of Cattleya, are leafing the project. Cattleya Producciones is searching for an international cast to bring El Italiano‘s Spanish, Italian and English characters to life. Screenwriter Beto Marini, co-creator of Movistar+ series La Unidad and feature films such as Retribution and Extinction is adapting the story. Pérez-Reverte was trained in underwater activities at Spain’s Centro de Buceo de la Armada (Navy...
ITV Studios-owned Spanish drama house Cattleya Producciones has acquired rights to Arturo Pérez-Reverte’s bestselling novel El Italiano and will adapt it as a miniseries. Inspired by real events, El Italiano is a story of love, spies, and the sea set at the height of World War II in the Bay of Algeciras, where Italian combat divers are causing chaos among the Allied forces. Arturo Díaz, Managing Director and Executive Producer of Cattleya Producciones, and Ricardo Tozzi, founder and President of Cattleya, are leafing the project. Cattleya Producciones is searching for an international cast to bring El Italiano‘s Spanish, Italian and English characters to life. Screenwriter Beto Marini, co-creator of Movistar+ series La Unidad and feature films such as Retribution and Extinction is adapting the story. Pérez-Reverte was trained in underwater activities at Spain’s Centro de Buceo de la Armada (Navy...
- 7/11/2022
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Canada’s Amcomri Entertainment has belatedly announced that it has acquired the assets of Australia- and U.K.-based Flame Media, a distributor and library owner of factual and documentary TV content.
Flame Media has approximately 2,200 hours and more than 500 titles of high-end factual programming in its library. Its key library titles include: “Outback Truckers” and “Outback Opal Hunters” from Prospero Productions; “The Moors Murders” from Map TV; and “Life in Colour with David Attenborough,” from Humble Bee Films and SeaLight Pictures.
The transaction closed approximately 15 months after the death of Flame Media founder and CEO John Caldon.
The addition of Flame increases Amcomri’s TV library offering to 4,750 hours of programming. It will be operated by Amcomri’s TV content distribution business Abacus Media Rights (Amr), reporting to Amr’s MD Jonathan Ford. Amcomri’s other group companies include 101 Films, 101 Films International, Hollywood Classics International, Amcomri Productions,...
Flame Media has approximately 2,200 hours and more than 500 titles of high-end factual programming in its library. Its key library titles include: “Outback Truckers” and “Outback Opal Hunters” from Prospero Productions; “The Moors Murders” from Map TV; and “Life in Colour with David Attenborough,” from Humble Bee Films and SeaLight Pictures.
The transaction closed approximately 15 months after the death of Flame Media founder and CEO John Caldon.
The addition of Flame increases Amcomri’s TV library offering to 4,750 hours of programming. It will be operated by Amcomri’s TV content distribution business Abacus Media Rights (Amr), reporting to Amr’s MD Jonathan Ford. Amcomri’s other group companies include 101 Films, 101 Films International, Hollywood Classics International, Amcomri Productions,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Abacus Media Rights Parent Amcomri Entertaiment Buys Flame Media Program Assets For 2.4M
Amcomri Entertainment has paid C3M (2.4M) for the assets of UK-Australian factual TV distributor Flame Media’s assets. The library comprises around 2,200 hours and more than 500 titles. Flame will be integrated into Amcomri’s TV sales arm Abacus Media Rights, with its staff reporting to Abacus Managing Director Jonathan Ford. The deal comes 15 months after Flam founder John Caldon passed away. Flame’s key titles include Outback Truckers and Outback Opal Hunters from Prospero Productions, The Moors Murders from Map TV, and Life in Colour with David Attenborough from Humble Bee Films and SeaLight Pictures. Upcoming titles including New Zealand from a Train from Making Movies and Ningaloo with novelist Tim Winton from Artemis Productions. “We have the utmost admiration for the high-quality business and senior management team that Mr. Caldon assembled over the previous 12 years,...
Amcomri Entertainment has paid C3M (2.4M) for the assets of UK-Australian factual TV distributor Flame Media’s assets. The library comprises around 2,200 hours and more than 500 titles. Flame will be integrated into Amcomri’s TV sales arm Abacus Media Rights, with its staff reporting to Abacus Managing Director Jonathan Ford. The deal comes 15 months after Flam founder John Caldon passed away. Flame’s key titles include Outback Truckers and Outback Opal Hunters from Prospero Productions, The Moors Murders from Map TV, and Life in Colour with David Attenborough from Humble Bee Films and SeaLight Pictures. Upcoming titles including New Zealand from a Train from Making Movies and Ningaloo with novelist Tim Winton from Artemis Productions. “We have the utmost admiration for the high-quality business and senior management team that Mr. Caldon assembled over the previous 12 years,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Abacus Media Rights has acquired the Sky Original feature documentary “The Ghost of Richard Harris,” about the Hollywood star and notorious hell-raiser, for worldwide distribution. The release of the film, directed by Adrian Sibley, coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Irish actor’s death.
The film, produced by Bright Yellow Films, Samson Films and Groove Intl., tracks Harris’ career, which was overshadowed by a reputation for drinking and riotous behavior. Exploring this complex, flawed individual, the documentary features Harris’ three sons, BAFTA Award-winning actor Jared Harris, actor Jamie Harris and director Damian Harris.
The film will air in the U.K. on Sky Arts and streaming service Now later this year.
Sibley said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Harris through his son Damian at the Savoy to talk about making a documentary about his life and times. He’d seen my film with Anthony Hopkins where he...
The film, produced by Bright Yellow Films, Samson Films and Groove Intl., tracks Harris’ career, which was overshadowed by a reputation for drinking and riotous behavior. Exploring this complex, flawed individual, the documentary features Harris’ three sons, BAFTA Award-winning actor Jared Harris, actor Jamie Harris and director Damian Harris.
The film will air in the U.K. on Sky Arts and streaming service Now later this year.
Sibley said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Richard Harris through his son Damian at the Savoy to talk about making a documentary about his life and times. He’d seen my film with Anthony Hopkins where he...
- 4/27/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Feature documentary “The Fire Within: A Requiem for Katia and Maurice Krafft,” directed by German filmmaker Werner Herzog and distributed by Abacus Media Rights, has been acquired by Arte for France and Germany.
In addition, ahead of its official launch at MipTV in Cannes, Amr has pre-sold the feature, about French volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft, to BBC Storyville for the U.K., Dr in Denmark, Svt in Sweden and Nrk in Norway.
Written, directed and narrated by Herzog, “The Fire Within” pays homage to the Kraffts, who left an archive of more than 200 hours of footage.
Herzog has produced, written and directed more than 60 narrative and documentary feature films, including “Grizzly Man,” “Invincible,” “Encounters at the End of the World” and “Cave of Forgotten Dreams.” He was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2009.
The film is produced by Brian Leith Productions, Bonne Pioche and Titan Films.
In addition, ahead of its official launch at MipTV in Cannes, Amr has pre-sold the feature, about French volcanologists Maurice and Katia Krafft, to BBC Storyville for the U.K., Dr in Denmark, Svt in Sweden and Nrk in Norway.
Written, directed and narrated by Herzog, “The Fire Within” pays homage to the Kraffts, who left an archive of more than 200 hours of footage.
Herzog has produced, written and directed more than 60 narrative and documentary feature films, including “Grizzly Man,” “Invincible,” “Encounters at the End of the World” and “Cave of Forgotten Dreams.” He was named one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2009.
The film is produced by Brian Leith Productions, Bonne Pioche and Titan Films.
- 4/5/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Paramount Plus has revealed a further slate of scripted and unscripted U.K. original series ahead of the launch of the streaming service in the U.K. this summer.
Scripted original series commissioned by Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer, U.K., Paramount, as part of the streamer’s plans to greenlight 50 new international scripted originals in 2022, include “The Ex-Wife” (4×60″), based on Jess Ryder’s the hit psychological thriller novel, where a woman’s world of a perfect house, a loving husband and a beautiful little girl is turned upside down when her husband’s ex-wife won’t leave them alone.
Céline Buckens (“Showtrial”) plays the lead role in the series, which is co-produced by Clapperboard Studios, BlackBox Multimedia and Night Train Media, with Night Train Media financing and controlling worldwide distribution rights.
“The Ex-Wife” is written by Catherine Steadman who will also serve as executive producer on the series alongside Mike Benson for Clapperboard,...
Scripted original series commissioned by Sebastian Cardwell, deputy chief content officer, U.K., Paramount, as part of the streamer’s plans to greenlight 50 new international scripted originals in 2022, include “The Ex-Wife” (4×60″), based on Jess Ryder’s the hit psychological thriller novel, where a woman’s world of a perfect house, a loving husband and a beautiful little girl is turned upside down when her husband’s ex-wife won’t leave them alone.
Céline Buckens (“Showtrial”) plays the lead role in the series, which is co-produced by Clapperboard Studios, BlackBox Multimedia and Night Train Media, with Night Train Media financing and controlling worldwide distribution rights.
“The Ex-Wife” is written by Catherine Steadman who will also serve as executive producer on the series alongside Mike Benson for Clapperboard,...
- 4/4/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Abacus Media Rights has closed a flurry of sales for the six-part documentary series “Evolve,” which looks at how scientists are learning from evolutionary adaptations found in the natural world. Patrick Aryee, the series’ presenter, will give the keynote address this week at MipDoc, part of the MipTV television market in Cannes.
Deals for the show, produced by Beach House Pictures for Curiosity, in association with Blue Ant Media, have been secured with ABC in Australia, Viasat World for Nordic and Central and Eastern Europe, Rai in Italy, Studio Hamburg in Germany, Ur in Sweden, Nrk in Norway, and Vrt in Belgium, with more deals in the pipeline at MipTV.
Production took place last year, over the course of around 12 months. Principal photography was around 15 weeks and saw multi-national crews travelling across four continents. Stories were filmed in Namibia, Jordan, the U.K. and in 10 states across the U.S.
Deals for the show, produced by Beach House Pictures for Curiosity, in association with Blue Ant Media, have been secured with ABC in Australia, Viasat World for Nordic and Central and Eastern Europe, Rai in Italy, Studio Hamburg in Germany, Ur in Sweden, Nrk in Norway, and Vrt in Belgium, with more deals in the pipeline at MipTV.
Production took place last year, over the course of around 12 months. Principal photography was around 15 weeks and saw multi-national crews travelling across four continents. Stories were filmed in Namibia, Jordan, the U.K. and in 10 states across the U.S.
- 4/4/2022
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
BritBox has picked up “Reel Britannia,” a documentary series on the history of modern British cinema, for the U.S., U.K., Canada and South Africa.
The deal was closed by Abacus Media Rights (Amr), an Amcomri Entertainment company, who acquired worldwide distribution rights to the series from director Jon Spira and producer Hank Starrs of Canal Cat Films.
From 1960 through to 2010, the four-part series portrays how cinema held a mirror up to society to reflect on the youth revolution of the 1960s, the grit of the 1970s, the social divide of the 1980s, new hope of the 1990s and the social disillusionment of the 00s. Narrated by actor and comedian Nick Helm, “Reel Britannia” features new, exclusive interviews with noted cinema talents Terry Gilliam, Mike Leigh, Ken Loach, Stephen Frears, Hanif Kureishi, Mike Newell, Simon Beaufoy, David Leland and Terence Davies. In association with the BFI, it includes archival interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
The deal was closed by Abacus Media Rights (Amr), an Amcomri Entertainment company, who acquired worldwide distribution rights to the series from director Jon Spira and producer Hank Starrs of Canal Cat Films.
From 1960 through to 2010, the four-part series portrays how cinema held a mirror up to society to reflect on the youth revolution of the 1960s, the grit of the 1970s, the social divide of the 1980s, new hope of the 1990s and the social disillusionment of the 00s. Narrated by actor and comedian Nick Helm, “Reel Britannia” features new, exclusive interviews with noted cinema talents Terry Gilliam, Mike Leigh, Ken Loach, Stephen Frears, Hanif Kureishi, Mike Newell, Simon Beaufoy, David Leland and Terence Davies. In association with the BFI, it includes archival interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
- 2/11/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Abacus Media Rights has clinched rapid sales in more than half the world’s major territories on “Killing Escobar,” proving the enduring market appeal of one of Latin America’s most powerful IPs, Pablo Escobar – if producers find a new and unique way into his story.
In the case of “Killing Escobar,” this comes via the extraordinary true account of Scottish mercenary and ex-Sas operative Peter McAleese who was hired by the notorious Cali Cartel to recruit and lead a 12-man team of ex-special forces commandos to assassinate the world’s biggest drug baron, Pablo Escobar.
The hit is planned at the one place Escobar thinks he is safe: his Hacienda Nápoles luxury retreat near Medellín whose attractions included an African wildlife zoo and one of Al Capone’s automobiles.
Narrated by McAleese himself, and driven by cinema-standard reconstruction of the actual nerve-biting mission, “Killing Escobar” mixes a combat...
In the case of “Killing Escobar,” this comes via the extraordinary true account of Scottish mercenary and ex-Sas operative Peter McAleese who was hired by the notorious Cali Cartel to recruit and lead a 12-man team of ex-special forces commandos to assassinate the world’s biggest drug baron, Pablo Escobar.
The hit is planned at the one place Escobar thinks he is safe: his Hacienda Nápoles luxury retreat near Medellín whose attractions included an African wildlife zoo and one of Al Capone’s automobiles.
Narrated by McAleese himself, and driven by cinema-standard reconstruction of the actual nerve-biting mission, “Killing Escobar” mixes a combat...
- 11/17/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Nothing Compares To U singer Sineád O’Connor is the latest pop star to get the feature doc treatment.
Irish producer ShinAwiL has teamed up with Orian Williams, the film producer behind Joy Division biopic Control, and DJ Dave Fanning to tell the story of the controversial artist.
Sineád (w/t) is an access-led feature documentary celebrating the musical work of the Grammy Award-winner. Irish director Maurice Sweeney, who directed Ira doc I Dolours, will helm with Williams, ShinAwiL’s Larry Bass and Fanning exec producing.
It will tell the story of O’Connor, who now goes by Shuhada Sadaqat after converting to Islam in 2018, who broke through with her 1987 album The Lion and the Cobra and her 1990 cover of the Prince-penned Nothing Compares To U.
O’Connor has courted controversy throughout her career; she is arguably best known for appearing on Saturday Night Live in 1992. While singing a...
Irish producer ShinAwiL has teamed up with Orian Williams, the film producer behind Joy Division biopic Control, and DJ Dave Fanning to tell the story of the controversial artist.
Sineád (w/t) is an access-led feature documentary celebrating the musical work of the Grammy Award-winner. Irish director Maurice Sweeney, who directed Ira doc I Dolours, will helm with Williams, ShinAwiL’s Larry Bass and Fanning exec producing.
It will tell the story of O’Connor, who now goes by Shuhada Sadaqat after converting to Islam in 2018, who broke through with her 1987 album The Lion and the Cobra and her 1990 cover of the Prince-penned Nothing Compares To U.
O’Connor has courted controversy throughout her career; she is arguably best known for appearing on Saturday Night Live in 1992. While singing a...
- 11/9/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Gangs Of London’ Dominates Bafta Cymru
Sky Atlantic drama Gangs of London swept up at last night’s Bafta Wales Cymru Awards, winning four awards, while the leads in It’s A Sin and Saint Maud took home the Best Actor and Best Actress gongs. Pulse Films’ Gangs of London won in four technical categories as ITV’s Pembrokeshire Murders, which starred Luke Evans, won the coveted Best Television Drama. Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin’s Callum Scott Howells won Best Actor, with Davies himself taking home Best Writer, and Saint Maud lead Morfydd Clark won Best Actress for the indie flick. Welshman Davies said he had included a Welsh family in It’s A Sin to “show that HIV isn’t only a metropolitan issue and showcase the vast amount of acting talent in Wales.” Meanwhile, Craig Roberts’ dark comedy Eternal Beauty won Best Feature Film.
HBO Max...
Sky Atlantic drama Gangs of London swept up at last night’s Bafta Wales Cymru Awards, winning four awards, while the leads in It’s A Sin and Saint Maud took home the Best Actor and Best Actress gongs. Pulse Films’ Gangs of London won in four technical categories as ITV’s Pembrokeshire Murders, which starred Luke Evans, won the coveted Best Television Drama. Russell T Davies’ Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin’s Callum Scott Howells won Best Actor, with Davies himself taking home Best Writer, and Saint Maud lead Morfydd Clark won Best Actress for the indie flick. Welshman Davies said he had included a Welsh family in It’s A Sin to “show that HIV isn’t only a metropolitan issue and showcase the vast amount of acting talent in Wales.” Meanwhile, Craig Roberts’ dark comedy Eternal Beauty won Best Feature Film.
HBO Max...
- 10/25/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Sales
Abacus Media Rights has sold documentary “The Beatles and India” to HBO Max for Latin America, BritBox North America for the U.S. and Canada, Channel 4 for the U.K., Foxtel for Australia, Channel One for Russia, and A Contracorriente Films for Spain, with more deals in the pipeline.
Inspired by Ajoy Bose’s “book Across The Universe – The Beatles in India,” the film marks Bose’s directorial debut, is co-directed by Peter Compton and is produced by Reynold D’Silva, CEO of Silva Screen Music Group.
Abacus MD Jonathan Ford said: “Using rare archival footage, an array of unseen recordings and photographs, eye-witness accounts and stunning location shoots across India, ‘The Beatles and India’ energetically reveals a fascinating journey which was to have a profound impact on The Beatles’ spiritual lives and their music.”
“The universal appeal of the subject has been one of our main aims in...
Abacus Media Rights has sold documentary “The Beatles and India” to HBO Max for Latin America, BritBox North America for the U.S. and Canada, Channel 4 for the U.K., Foxtel for Australia, Channel One for Russia, and A Contracorriente Films for Spain, with more deals in the pipeline.
Inspired by Ajoy Bose’s “book Across The Universe – The Beatles in India,” the film marks Bose’s directorial debut, is co-directed by Peter Compton and is produced by Reynold D’Silva, CEO of Silva Screen Music Group.
Abacus MD Jonathan Ford said: “Using rare archival footage, an array of unseen recordings and photographs, eye-witness accounts and stunning location shoots across India, ‘The Beatles and India’ energetically reveals a fascinating journey which was to have a profound impact on The Beatles’ spiritual lives and their music.”
“The universal appeal of the subject has been one of our main aims in...
- 9/21/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Acquisition
Abacus Media Rights (Amr) has picked up global distribution rights to BBC Two’s Joan Collins documentary, produced by Salon Pictures and commissioned by Mark Bell at BBC Arts. Promising to tell the life story of the Hollywood actor from her point of view, the 90-minute documentary will be narrated by Collins herself. Clare Beavan (“Bricks!”) will direct as well as co-produce with Karen Steyn, Nick Taussig and Annabel Wigoder. Karen Steyn (“Tea With the Dames”) is executive producer.
“National treasures don’t come more glamorous than Dame Joan Collins and after seven decades of stardom her shine remains undimmed,” said Bell. “Her story too is priceless; this film will be an account of the ups and downs of an entertainment career like no other – candid, revelatory and occasionally hilarious.”
Amr managing director Jonathan Ford added: “This will be the definitive story of Dame Joan Collins told in her...
Abacus Media Rights (Amr) has picked up global distribution rights to BBC Two’s Joan Collins documentary, produced by Salon Pictures and commissioned by Mark Bell at BBC Arts. Promising to tell the life story of the Hollywood actor from her point of view, the 90-minute documentary will be narrated by Collins herself. Clare Beavan (“Bricks!”) will direct as well as co-produce with Karen Steyn, Nick Taussig and Annabel Wigoder. Karen Steyn (“Tea With the Dames”) is executive producer.
“National treasures don’t come more glamorous than Dame Joan Collins and after seven decades of stardom her shine remains undimmed,” said Bell. “Her story too is priceless; this film will be an account of the ups and downs of an entertainment career like no other – candid, revelatory and occasionally hilarious.”
Amr managing director Jonathan Ford added: “This will be the definitive story of Dame Joan Collins told in her...
- 9/3/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Abacus Media Rights has boarded international distribution on Savage Waters, the feature documentary about a mission to find and surf a spectacular big wave in the Atlantic Ocean.
The pic follows renowned skipper Matt Knight, who teams up with world-class big wave surfer Andrew Cotton to adventure into the most dangerous waters of the Atlantic. Their journey is inspired by a passage in a 19th century treasure hunter’s journal. Joined by family and friends, the pair are faced with life-threatening challenges on their quest.
Doc is directed by Mikey Corker (Beneath The Surface), produced by Ghislaine Couvillat (Girls Can’t Surf) of Whipped Sea and edited by Emmy winner Jordan Montminy (The 8th), with story consultation from BAFTA-winning Nic Guttridge (The Spy Who Fell To Earth).
The project will have its post-production at Dublin-based Play House Studios, with Kathleen Glynn (Bowling For Columbine), Peggy Cafferty and Lorcan Kavanagh from...
The pic follows renowned skipper Matt Knight, who teams up with world-class big wave surfer Andrew Cotton to adventure into the most dangerous waters of the Atlantic. Their journey is inspired by a passage in a 19th century treasure hunter’s journal. Joined by family and friends, the pair are faced with life-threatening challenges on their quest.
Doc is directed by Mikey Corker (Beneath The Surface), produced by Ghislaine Couvillat (Girls Can’t Surf) of Whipped Sea and edited by Emmy winner Jordan Montminy (The 8th), with story consultation from BAFTA-winning Nic Guttridge (The Spy Who Fell To Earth).
The project will have its post-production at Dublin-based Play House Studios, with Kathleen Glynn (Bowling For Columbine), Peggy Cafferty and Lorcan Kavanagh from...
- 6/23/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
To hear numerous distribution executives tell it, the international TV program sales market has successfully adapted to online dealmaking. Despite being unable to meet buyers in person over the past 12 months at markets including this month’s MipTV, most distributors say business has been good.
“We’re still getting the same prices for our shows, and buyers still want quality programs,” says Sarah Tong, director of sales at Hat Trick Intl., whose slate includes feature doc “Janis and Lucy,” about a chimp raised as a human, that has pre-sold to HBO Max for the U.S.
Meanwhile, Nicky Davies Williams, CEO of Dcd Rights, which reps dramas “My Life Is Murder” and “Frankie Drake Mysteries,” points in particular to the “enormous increase in demand” from both SVOD and AVOD services.
Both buyers and sellers pivoted quickly to platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams as lockdowns first hit in 2020. Now,...
“We’re still getting the same prices for our shows, and buyers still want quality programs,” says Sarah Tong, director of sales at Hat Trick Intl., whose slate includes feature doc “Janis and Lucy,” about a chimp raised as a human, that has pre-sold to HBO Max for the U.S.
Meanwhile, Nicky Davies Williams, CEO of Dcd Rights, which reps dramas “My Life Is Murder” and “Frankie Drake Mysteries,” points in particular to the “enormous increase in demand” from both SVOD and AVOD services.
Both buyers and sellers pivoted quickly to platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams as lockdowns first hit in 2020. Now,...
- 4/12/2021
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Welcome International Insider readers, Jake Kanter with you today. Take a walk with me through some of the biggest stories of the week. Want to get in touch? I’m on jkanter@deadline.com, or my DMs are open on Twitter. And sign up here to get this delivered to your inbox every Friday.
MipTV’s Covid-Compounded Conundrum
State of play: It’s MipTV next week, not that you’d really know it, given the absence of buzz around the annual TV market. Telly executives will tell you that MipTV has been in slow decline for a number of years now, and this spiral has been compounded by coronavirus. Even before Covid-19 changed everything, major distributors were eschewing the market in 2020. Then it became one of the first major television events to be toppled by the pandemic. Now, its digital pivot has now been extended into a second year, with...
MipTV’s Covid-Compounded Conundrum
State of play: It’s MipTV next week, not that you’d really know it, given the absence of buzz around the annual TV market. Telly executives will tell you that MipTV has been in slow decline for a number of years now, and this spiral has been compounded by coronavirus. Even before Covid-19 changed everything, major distributors were eschewing the market in 2020. Then it became one of the first major television events to be toppled by the pandemic. Now, its digital pivot has now been extended into a second year, with...
- 4/9/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: International TV sales chiefs have said MipTV’s waning power has been compounded by the coronavirus pandemic, which has accelerated the switch to year-round online sales activity and increased the emphasis on local and genre-specific events.
Speaking to Deadline ahead of the virtual MipTV next week, studio bosses acknowledged the continued importance of global markets, but questioned if there is space for two annual showpiece gatherings in Cannes. In response, MipTV organizer Reed Midem said it is always talking to delegates about designing markets to meet industry needs.
The decline of MipTV was in evidence last year, even before the pandemic swept the globe. Amid the increasing importance of local events, such as the London Screenings, studios including Fremantle, Banijay, and ITV Studios pulled out of exhibiting at MipTV in 2020. Major U.S. players like Disney have also long skirted MipTV due to its proximity to the LA Screenings.
Speaking to Deadline ahead of the virtual MipTV next week, studio bosses acknowledged the continued importance of global markets, but questioned if there is space for two annual showpiece gatherings in Cannes. In response, MipTV organizer Reed Midem said it is always talking to delegates about designing markets to meet industry needs.
The decline of MipTV was in evidence last year, even before the pandemic swept the globe. Amid the increasing importance of local events, such as the London Screenings, studios including Fremantle, Banijay, and ITV Studios pulled out of exhibiting at MipTV in 2020. Major U.S. players like Disney have also long skirted MipTV due to its proximity to the LA Screenings.
- 4/9/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sexy Beast and The Departed actor Ray Winstone will turn his cockney tones to a feature documentary on the heyday for British stunt performers in Hollywood.
Produced by Canal Cat Films Production in association with Red Rock Entertainment and Verax Films, Hollywood Bulldogs: The Rise and Falls of the Great British Stuntman will see Winstone tell the story of a small community of British stunt performers who dominated Hollywood in the 1970s and ’80s.
The film is directed by Jon Spira (Anyone Can Play Guitar) and features a cast of stuntmen including Vic Armstrong, Paul Weston, Rocky Taylor, Greg Powell, Ray Austin, Jim Dowdall, Richard Hammatt and Frank Henson.
The former bouncers, gangsters, and demobbed soldiers were prepared to do the dangerous work on set, paving the way for a new generation of professional stunt performers. It reveals stories of revelry and insights from behind the scenes on blockbusters including James Bond,...
Produced by Canal Cat Films Production in association with Red Rock Entertainment and Verax Films, Hollywood Bulldogs: The Rise and Falls of the Great British Stuntman will see Winstone tell the story of a small community of British stunt performers who dominated Hollywood in the 1970s and ’80s.
The film is directed by Jon Spira (Anyone Can Play Guitar) and features a cast of stuntmen including Vic Armstrong, Paul Weston, Rocky Taylor, Greg Powell, Ray Austin, Jim Dowdall, Richard Hammatt and Frank Henson.
The former bouncers, gangsters, and demobbed soldiers were prepared to do the dangerous work on set, paving the way for a new generation of professional stunt performers. It reveals stories of revelry and insights from behind the scenes on blockbusters including James Bond,...
- 3/30/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, Allblk streaming platform has gone live, and Lifetime announced the premiere dates for five new original movies.
Dates
USA Network will premiere Season 3 of “Temptation Island,” a show designed to test the relationships of four couples, on Feb. 16 at 10 p.m. The couples, consisting of Erica Washington and Kendal Kirkland, Erin Smith and Corey Sobczyk, Kristen Ramos and Julien Allen, and Chelsea Orcutt and Thomas Gipson, will visit Maui to be immersed in a group of 24 single people with interest in the contestants. With host Mark Wahlberg, the couples will find out if temptation can break up their partnership or if they are meant to last. Watch a teaser for the new season below.
Epix has revealed that “The Eisen Hour,” a six-episode series featuring interviews hosted by Rich Eisen, will premiere Jan. 23 at 10 p.m. New episodes will air each Saturday at that...
Dates
USA Network will premiere Season 3 of “Temptation Island,” a show designed to test the relationships of four couples, on Feb. 16 at 10 p.m. The couples, consisting of Erica Washington and Kendal Kirkland, Erin Smith and Corey Sobczyk, Kristen Ramos and Julien Allen, and Chelsea Orcutt and Thomas Gipson, will visit Maui to be immersed in a group of 24 single people with interest in the contestants. With host Mark Wahlberg, the couples will find out if temptation can break up their partnership or if they are meant to last. Watch a teaser for the new season below.
Epix has revealed that “The Eisen Hour,” a six-episode series featuring interviews hosted by Rich Eisen, will premiere Jan. 23 at 10 p.m. New episodes will air each Saturday at that...
- 1/13/2021
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
Canadian production house Frantic Films has scored several sales deals on factual series “High Maintenance” and “Killer In Plain Sight,” via deals brokered by U.K.-based distributor Abacus Media Rights.
Hulu has taken U.S. rights to true crime series “Killer in Plain Sight,” originally commissioned by Investigation Discovery. The series has been sold to Crime + Investigation in Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Alto Adige, and Koch Media for distribution cross the U.K., Malta, Gibraltar, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Ireland. German sales outfit Palatin has licensed the show across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Alto Adige.
The series (52 x 30′) features murder cases where detectives look at all those involved as a suspect, and must filter the lies from the truth in order to crack the case. Executive producer for Frantic Films is Jamie Brown.
Meanwhile, Discovery has picked up “High Maintenance,...
Hulu has taken U.S. rights to true crime series “Killer in Plain Sight,” originally commissioned by Investigation Discovery. The series has been sold to Crime + Investigation in Germany, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Alto Adige, and Koch Media for distribution cross the U.K., Malta, Gibraltar, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Ireland. German sales outfit Palatin has licensed the show across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein and Alto Adige.
The series (52 x 30′) features murder cases where detectives look at all those involved as a suspect, and must filter the lies from the truth in order to crack the case. Executive producer for Frantic Films is Jamie Brown.
Meanwhile, Discovery has picked up “High Maintenance,...
- 12/8/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix’s Latest Turkish Series
At a press conference today in Istanbul, Netflix announced Original drama series Midnight At the Pera Palace, produced by Karga Seven Pictures Turkey, the Turkish production arm of LA-based production company Karga Seven Pictures, part of the Red Arrow Studios group. The eight-episode Turkish-language time-travel series has started production in multiple locations in Turkey. The show is focused on a young journalist called Esra and her encounter with the legendary Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul from where she travels back in time to 1919. The story is inspired by the non-fiction book of the same name written by Charles King, and was created for TV by Emre Sahin, Kelly McPherson and Sam Anzel, written by Elif Usman, and directed by Emre Sahin. The series is executive produced by Sarah Wetherbee, Kelly McPherson and Emre Sahin for Karga Seven Pictures.
Stars Align For BAFTA Cymru
BAFTA’s...
At a press conference today in Istanbul, Netflix announced Original drama series Midnight At the Pera Palace, produced by Karga Seven Pictures Turkey, the Turkish production arm of LA-based production company Karga Seven Pictures, part of the Red Arrow Studios group. The eight-episode Turkish-language time-travel series has started production in multiple locations in Turkey. The show is focused on a young journalist called Esra and her encounter with the legendary Pera Palace Hotel in Istanbul from where she travels back in time to 1919. The story is inspired by the non-fiction book of the same name written by Charles King, and was created for TV by Emre Sahin, Kelly McPherson and Sam Anzel, written by Elif Usman, and directed by Emre Sahin. The series is executive produced by Sarah Wetherbee, Kelly McPherson and Emre Sahin for Karga Seven Pictures.
Stars Align For BAFTA Cymru
BAFTA’s...
- 10/20/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s Global Bulletin, “The Nest” tops Deauville, ITV outlines plans for carbon neutrality, Abacus Media Rights sells “People You May Know” in key territories, Southeast Europe gets its first premium independent series co-production and Sky enlists Gabriela Sperl to document German’s Wirecard financial scandal.
Festivals
“The Nest,” directed by Sean Durkin and starring Jude Law and Carrie Coon, was the big winner at the recently concluded 46th Deauville American Film Festival, taking home the grand prize, the 2020 Louis Roederer Fondation Revelation prize and the Critic’s prize.
The jury, led by actor Vanessa Paradis, also gave Jury Prizes to Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow” and Sabrina Doyle’s “Lorelei.”
The Revelation jury, led by filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski (“Savages”), gave the directing prize to Kitty Green’s “The Assistant.”
The City of Deauville Audience award...
Festivals
“The Nest,” directed by Sean Durkin and starring Jude Law and Carrie Coon, was the big winner at the recently concluded 46th Deauville American Film Festival, taking home the grand prize, the 2020 Louis Roederer Fondation Revelation prize and the Critic’s prize.
The jury, led by actor Vanessa Paradis, also gave Jury Prizes to Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow” and Sabrina Doyle’s “Lorelei.”
The Revelation jury, led by filmmaker Rebecca Zlotowski (“Savages”), gave the directing prize to Kitty Green’s “The Assistant.”
The City of Deauville Audience award...
- 9/14/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
‘Outback Lockdown’.
When Essential Media’s Brendan Dahill heard British chef Calem O’Grady and his partner, Australian stunt woman and survival expert Ky Furneaux, were planning to self-isolate in the Outback, all three seized on the idea of an observational documentary.
Acting fast, Essential’s head of factual David Alrich and Dop Max Corkindale spent 22 days filming the couple who are living in an old stone hut on a 46,000-acre sheep farm in South Australia owned by Ky’s cousin.
They have to forage for food, including hunting ducks and goats for dinner, all served in Cordon Bleu style by O’Grady.
The result is Outback Lockdown, a 3 x 60′ series which will be sold worldwide by London-based Abacus Media Rights (Amr), which was launched last month by Jonathan Ford, the former executive VP of sales at Kew Media Distribution.
Essential’s Gm for Australia and New Zealand, Dahill hired...
When Essential Media’s Brendan Dahill heard British chef Calem O’Grady and his partner, Australian stunt woman and survival expert Ky Furneaux, were planning to self-isolate in the Outback, all three seized on the idea of an observational documentary.
Acting fast, Essential’s head of factual David Alrich and Dop Max Corkindale spent 22 days filming the couple who are living in an old stone hut on a 46,000-acre sheep farm in South Australia owned by Ky’s cousin.
They have to forage for food, including hunting ducks and goats for dinner, all served in Cordon Bleu style by O’Grady.
The result is Outback Lockdown, a 3 x 60′ series which will be sold worldwide by London-based Abacus Media Rights (Amr), which was launched last month by Jonathan Ford, the former executive VP of sales at Kew Media Distribution.
Essential’s Gm for Australia and New Zealand, Dahill hired...
- 5/20/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
The news follows Kew Media being issued with a cease trading order on 30 January.
Dan Reed’s Amos Pictures has pulled distribution of Emmy-winning Channel 4 documentary Leaving Neverland from Kew Media Distribution.
Broadcast has learned that Reed’s lawyers have sent Kew a notice stating it is taking back the rights to the HBO co-production after the Canada-listed company failed to pay several tranches of royalties to Amos.
The news follows Kew Media being issued with a cease trading order on 30 January after financial problems came to light at the end of 2019. Numerous producers are scrambling to reclaim royalties,...
Dan Reed’s Amos Pictures has pulled distribution of Emmy-winning Channel 4 documentary Leaving Neverland from Kew Media Distribution.
Broadcast has learned that Reed’s lawyers have sent Kew a notice stating it is taking back the rights to the HBO co-production after the Canada-listed company failed to pay several tranches of royalties to Amos.
The news follows Kew Media being issued with a cease trading order on 30 January after financial problems came to light at the end of 2019. Numerous producers are scrambling to reclaim royalties,...
- 2/7/2020
- by 1101334¦Jesse Whittock Broadcast¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Roster includes Slay The Dragon, Allagash.
London-based sales outfit Kew Media Distribution (Kmd) heads to Afm next week with a slate that includes Nick Broomfield’s documentary My Father And Me, sci-fi 2067 starring Kodi Smit-McPhee and Ryan Kwanten, and Susan Hill’s The Small Hand: A Ghost Story.
2067 takes place on an earth ravaged by climate change when a utility worker who may hold the key to mankind’s survival is dispatched to the future and lands in a luscious green world where he seems to be the only person around.
Seth Larney directed the Arcadia, Kojo, Freedom Films and Futurism Studios production,...
London-based sales outfit Kew Media Distribution (Kmd) heads to Afm next week with a slate that includes Nick Broomfield’s documentary My Father And Me, sci-fi 2067 starring Kodi Smit-McPhee and Ryan Kwanten, and Susan Hill’s The Small Hand: A Ghost Story.
2067 takes place on an earth ravaged by climate change when a utility worker who may hold the key to mankind’s survival is dispatched to the future and lands in a luscious green world where he seems to be the only person around.
Seth Larney directed the Arcadia, Kojo, Freedom Films and Futurism Studios production,...
- 10/29/2019
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Kew to handle TV and digital rights to some new projects from ‘Green Book’ producer.
Green Book producer Participant has struck a multi-year distribution tie-up with Kew Media Distribution (Kmd).
The deal hands Kmd global TV and digital rights to limited new projects from Participant, mainly across documentary and narrative feature films.
La-based Participant mainly produces big-budget features such as Spotlight, Green Book and Roma but recently moved into TV.
Jeff Skoll’s outfit is a co-producer on Mammoth Screen’s forthcoming BBC adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses and was also behind Netflix’s Central Park Five...
Green Book producer Participant has struck a multi-year distribution tie-up with Kew Media Distribution (Kmd).
The deal hands Kmd global TV and digital rights to limited new projects from Participant, mainly across documentary and narrative feature films.
La-based Participant mainly produces big-budget features such as Spotlight, Green Book and Roma but recently moved into TV.
Jeff Skoll’s outfit is a co-producer on Mammoth Screen’s forthcoming BBC adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses and was also behind Netflix’s Central Park Five...
- 10/2/2019
- by 1101315¦Max Goldbart Broadcast¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Green Book producer Participant has entered a multi-year distribution deal with sales outfit Kew Media Distribution to handle TV and digital rights on a selection of its future projects and library titles.
Participant works in the deal include the Oscar-nominated documentary Food, Inc.; the Emmy nominated Pressure Cooker; Sundance award winners 3 ½ Minutes, 12 Bullets and Circumstance; SXSW winner The Great Invisible; and feature doc The World According To Sesame Street.
Kew will also handle rights to a limited number of the company’s upcoming documentary and narrative feature films.
David Linde, Participant CEO, said: “We do all we can to ensure that our programming combines the power of a good story, well told, with opportunities for real world impact. Reaching audiences around the world is central to the success of our work, and we are thrilled to grow our network of world-class distribution partners by working with Kew.”
“Participant’s content...
Participant works in the deal include the Oscar-nominated documentary Food, Inc.; the Emmy nominated Pressure Cooker; Sundance award winners 3 ½ Minutes, 12 Bullets and Circumstance; SXSW winner The Great Invisible; and feature doc The World According To Sesame Street.
Kew will also handle rights to a limited number of the company’s upcoming documentary and narrative feature films.
David Linde, Participant CEO, said: “We do all we can to ensure that our programming combines the power of a good story, well told, with opportunities for real world impact. Reaching audiences around the world is central to the success of our work, and we are thrilled to grow our network of world-class distribution partners by working with Kew.”
“Participant’s content...
- 10/2/2019
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Kew Media Distribution has signed a multi-year distribution agreement with Participant, the L.A.-based company behind “Spotlight,” “Green Book” and “Roma,” to start handling global television and digital rights on some new projects from Participant.
As part of the deal, Kew Media will distribute Participant’s socially and politically engaged documentaries and narrative feature films, as well as content from Participant’s library.
Some titles listed in the deal include the Sundance Award winners “3-1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets” and “Circumstance,” the Oscar-nominated documentary “Food, Inc.,” the Emmy-nominated “Pressure Cooker,” and the SXSW Festival winner “The Great Invisible” and “The World According to Sesame Street.”
“We do all we can to ensure that our programming combines the power of a good story, well-told, with opportunities for real world impact,” said David Linde, the CEO of Participant. “Reaching audiences around the world is central to the success of our work, and...
As part of the deal, Kew Media will distribute Participant’s socially and politically engaged documentaries and narrative feature films, as well as content from Participant’s library.
Some titles listed in the deal include the Sundance Award winners “3-1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets” and “Circumstance,” the Oscar-nominated documentary “Food, Inc.,” the Emmy-nominated “Pressure Cooker,” and the SXSW Festival winner “The Great Invisible” and “The World According to Sesame Street.”
“We do all we can to ensure that our programming combines the power of a good story, well-told, with opportunities for real world impact,” said David Linde, the CEO of Participant. “Reaching audiences around the world is central to the success of our work, and...
- 10/2/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
More interesting news surrounding the wonderful world of Ghostbusters has recently been released ― as the film turns 35 this year. A new documentary called Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters is set to premiere at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Also: Hola Mexico Film Festival lineup, and details on both In the Blink of an Eye anthology series and Gunpowder & Sky and Justin Lin's student short film competition.
Ghostbusters Documentary's Cannes Premiere Details: "Leading global distributor Kew Media Distribution has secured international sales rights to a raft of new films that the company will be headlining in Cannes including the stunning and mysterious sci-fi film Deus, rock’n’roll documentary The Quiet One, the retrospective documentary Cleanin’ Up The Town: Remembering Ghostbusters, the bizarre and deceptive documentary The Amazing Johnathan Documentary, the dystopian sci-fi film 2067, and the thriller Itsy Bitsy.
Kew Media Distribution’s Evp of Sales Jonathan Ford...
Ghostbusters Documentary's Cannes Premiere Details: "Leading global distributor Kew Media Distribution has secured international sales rights to a raft of new films that the company will be headlining in Cannes including the stunning and mysterious sci-fi film Deus, rock’n’roll documentary The Quiet One, the retrospective documentary Cleanin’ Up The Town: Remembering Ghostbusters, the bizarre and deceptive documentary The Amazing Johnathan Documentary, the dystopian sci-fi film 2067, and the thriller Itsy Bitsy.
Kew Media Distribution’s Evp of Sales Jonathan Ford...
- 5/10/2019
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Broadcasters around the world have acquired “Leaving Neverland,” the Channel 4 and HBO documentary about alleged abuse by pop superstar Michael Jackson. Kew Media Distribution is selling the two-part project, and has sealed deals spanning 130 territories.
Major TV buyers include free-to-air giants ProSiebenSat.1 in Germany, M6 in France, and Network 10 in Australia. Swedish pubcaster Svt is another buyer, as is Channel One in Russia, where Amedia has it for pay-tv.
Fox has acquired it for Asia and Front Row for the Middle East. HBO has just aired the first installment of the film in the U.S. and has taken it for its networks in Latin America and Central Europe. In Spain, pay-tv heavyweight Movistar+ has acquired rights.
Channel 4 will begin airing “Leaving Neverland” on Wednesday in Britain.
Dan Reed’s documentary premiered at Sundance. It explores the experiences of two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who were...
Major TV buyers include free-to-air giants ProSiebenSat.1 in Germany, M6 in France, and Network 10 in Australia. Swedish pubcaster Svt is another buyer, as is Channel One in Russia, where Amedia has it for pay-tv.
Fox has acquired it for Asia and Front Row for the Middle East. HBO has just aired the first installment of the film in the U.S. and has taken it for its networks in Latin America and Central Europe. In Spain, pay-tv heavyweight Movistar+ has acquired rights.
Channel 4 will begin airing “Leaving Neverland” on Wednesday in Britain.
Dan Reed’s documentary premiered at Sundance. It explores the experiences of two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, who were...
- 3/4/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Controversial Michael Jackson documentary Leaving Neverland has gone global after distributor Kew Media Group sold the two-part film into 130 territories.
This comes after the doc, which was directed by The Paedophile Hunter director Dan Reed, aired on HBO last night and ahead of its TX on Channel 4 in the UK later this week.
Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 Group, Australia’s Network Ten and HBO across Latin America were among the buyers for the film, which is produced by Reed’s Amos Pictures. Dr in Denmark, Vpro in Netherlands, Svt in Sweden, Channel One and Amedia TV in Russia, Vrt in Belgium, Tvnz in New Zealand, Yes in Israel, Yle in Finland, Fox Networks Group Asia, Front Row Filmed Entertainment in the Middle East, Ruv in Iceland, M6 in France, Movistar+ in Spain and HBO Europe in Central Europe will also air the doc.
Leaving Neverland, which screened at the...
This comes after the doc, which was directed by The Paedophile Hunter director Dan Reed, aired on HBO last night and ahead of its TX on Channel 4 in the UK later this week.
Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 Group, Australia’s Network Ten and HBO across Latin America were among the buyers for the film, which is produced by Reed’s Amos Pictures. Dr in Denmark, Vpro in Netherlands, Svt in Sweden, Channel One and Amedia TV in Russia, Vrt in Belgium, Tvnz in New Zealand, Yes in Israel, Yle in Finland, Fox Networks Group Asia, Front Row Filmed Entertainment in the Middle East, Ruv in Iceland, M6 in France, Movistar+ in Spain and HBO Europe in Central Europe will also air the doc.
Leaving Neverland, which screened at the...
- 3/4/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Roadside Attractions has acquired domestic rights to Nick Broomfield’s Sundance Film Festival documentary Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love, which follows the enduring love story between legendary Canadian folk singer Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse, Marianne Ihlen. A release is planned for later this year. The documentary starts on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, where Cohen, then a struggling and unknown fiction writer, and Marianne, a single mother with a young son, became part of community of expat artists, writers and musicians. Never-before-seen footage shot by Broomfield and legendary documentarian D.A. Pennebaker make for a unique portrait of an idyllic 1960’s bohemia. It was on Hydra in 1968 that Broomfield, then aged 20, first himself met Marianne. She introduced him to Cohen’s music and encouraged Broomfield to make his first film. His career would spawn many iconic music legend docs about Whitney Houston, Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls, Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love.
- 2/7/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Indie distributor Roadside Attractions announced on Thursday that it has picked up the North American rights to director Nick Broomfield’s documentary, “Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love,” following its world premiere at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival.
The film, which was in the Documentary Premieres section at the festival, follows the enduring love story between legendary Canadian folk singer Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse, Marianne Ihlen.
“Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love” is billed as one of Broomfield’s most personal and romantic films. The documentary begins on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, where Cohen, then a struggling and unknown fiction writer, and Ihlen, a single mother with a young son, became part of a community of ex-pat artists, writers and musicians. The never-before-seen footage shot by Broomfield and legendary documentarian D.A. Pennebaker give a glimpse of an idyllic 1960s bohemia. It was a time that left a lasting imprint on both the duo,...
The film, which was in the Documentary Premieres section at the festival, follows the enduring love story between legendary Canadian folk singer Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse, Marianne Ihlen.
“Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love” is billed as one of Broomfield’s most personal and romantic films. The documentary begins on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, where Cohen, then a struggling and unknown fiction writer, and Ihlen, a single mother with a young son, became part of a community of ex-pat artists, writers and musicians. The never-before-seen footage shot by Broomfield and legendary documentarian D.A. Pennebaker give a glimpse of an idyllic 1960s bohemia. It was a time that left a lasting imprint on both the duo,...
- 2/7/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Kew Media Distribution handles worldwide sales.
Roadside Attractions has picked up North American rights to Nick Broomfield’s documentary Marianne & Leonard: Words Of Love, following its world premiere at Sundance.
Broomfield’s film tells of the enduring love story between Canadian folk singer Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse, Marianne Ihlen.
The documentary starts on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, where Cohen, then a struggling fiction writer, and Ihlen, a single mother with a young son, became part of community of expat artists.
They became lovers in the Sixties and their friendship would last another 50 years until their...
Roadside Attractions has picked up North American rights to Nick Broomfield’s documentary Marianne & Leonard: Words Of Love, following its world premiere at Sundance.
Broomfield’s film tells of the enduring love story between Canadian folk singer Leonard Cohen and his Norwegian muse, Marianne Ihlen.
The documentary starts on the Greek island of Hydra in 1960, where Cohen, then a struggling fiction writer, and Ihlen, a single mother with a young son, became part of community of expat artists.
They became lovers in the Sixties and their friendship would last another 50 years until their...
- 2/7/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Kew Media Distribution has boarded controversial Michael Jackson sex-abuse documentary “Leaving Neverland” ahead of its world premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Kew Media has taken international distribution rights (excluding U.K. and U.S.) to the two-part documentary, which is a co-production of HBO and British broadcaster Channel 4.
Directed by BAFTA-winner Dan Reed, “Leaving Neverland” features two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, now in their 30s, who allege that they were sexually abused by the entertainer when they were 10 and 7, respectively. The documentary also features interviews with their mothers, wives and siblings, painting a portrait of sustained abuse and exploring the complicated feelings that led the two men to confront their experiences after both had young sons of their own. It is produced by Amos Pictures.
Jonathan Ford, executive vice president of sales for Kew Media Distribution, said the acquisition reinforced Kew Media’s...
Directed by BAFTA-winner Dan Reed, “Leaving Neverland” features two men, James Safechuck and Wade Robson, now in their 30s, who allege that they were sexually abused by the entertainer when they were 10 and 7, respectively. The documentary also features interviews with their mothers, wives and siblings, painting a portrait of sustained abuse and exploring the complicated feelings that led the two men to confront their experiences after both had young sons of their own. It is produced by Amos Pictures.
Jonathan Ford, executive vice president of sales for Kew Media Distribution, said the acquisition reinforced Kew Media’s...
- 1/17/2019
- by Robert Mitchell
- Variety Film + TV
Kew Media Distribution has secured the international rights for HBO and Channel 4’s controversial Michael Jackson doc Leaving Neverland.
The company has picked up the global distribution for the two-part doc, outside of the U.S. and UK, and will sell it to broadcasters and streaming services around the world.
This comes after the Sundance Film Festival revealed that the film, which is directed by The Paedophile Hunter director Dan Reed, was to be part of the line-up in Park City.
Leaving Neverland, which will screen in the special events category, tells the story of two boys, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, now in their 30s, who say they were sexually abused by Jackson when they were ages 7 and 10. It features interviews with the two men.
It is exec produced by Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller, executive vice presidents of HBO Documentary and Family Programming, and Channel 4 Specialist Factual commissioner Tom Porter.
The company has picked up the global distribution for the two-part doc, outside of the U.S. and UK, and will sell it to broadcasters and streaming services around the world.
This comes after the Sundance Film Festival revealed that the film, which is directed by The Paedophile Hunter director Dan Reed, was to be part of the line-up in Park City.
Leaving Neverland, which will screen in the special events category, tells the story of two boys, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, now in their 30s, who say they were sexually abused by Jackson when they were ages 7 and 10. It features interviews with the two men.
It is exec produced by Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller, executive vice presidents of HBO Documentary and Family Programming, and Channel 4 Specialist Factual commissioner Tom Porter.
- 1/17/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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