Sky Launches Diverse Documentaries Initiative After Picking Up Five BAFTA Nods In Factual Categories
Exclusive: Sky UK has forged an initiative to discover the next generation of diverse documentaries after five factual shows were nominated at the BAFTAs.
The Comcast-owned outfit will give £15,000 to three indies with the aim of boosting their development slate and finding docs that can air on Sky.
The best ideas will have development fully funded and the three successful companies will also be given monthly pitching sessions with a commissioning team member for six months.
In order to apply, indies will need to be diverse-owned or diverse-led, with founders, owners, or senior management creatives who are members of ethnic minorities, deaf, disabled, and/or neurodivergent. Those interested can email skyfactual@sky.uk with the subject heading “Diverse Indies Development Initiative.” The application process is open until April 19.
“Sky is committed to fostering inclusivity in the industry,” said docs boss Poppy Dixon.
“This...
The Comcast-owned outfit will give £15,000 to three indies with the aim of boosting their development slate and finding docs that can air on Sky.
The best ideas will have development fully funded and the three successful companies will also be given monthly pitching sessions with a commissioning team member for six months.
In order to apply, indies will need to be diverse-owned or diverse-led, with founders, owners, or senior management creatives who are members of ethnic minorities, deaf, disabled, and/or neurodivergent. Those interested can email skyfactual@sky.uk with the subject heading “Diverse Indies Development Initiative.” The application process is open until April 19.
“Sky is committed to fostering inclusivity in the industry,” said docs boss Poppy Dixon.
“This...
- 3/21/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The official trailer has been released for “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived,” which tells the story of Daniel Radcliffe’s “Harry Potter” stunt double who was left paralyzed after an accident on the set of “Deathly Hallows Part 1.”
Executive produced by Radcliffe, the documentary showcases the decade-long bond between the “Harry Potter” star and stuntman Holmes during the making of the iconic franchise. But, Holmes’ world is turned upside down when a debilitating spinal injury on set leaves him paralyzed.
“As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David’s extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration,” the documentary’s official logline reads.
“He just seemed like a cool older brother,” Radcliffe says of Holmes in the trailer. “He would do the most dangerous physical stuff.”
Of the accident, Radcliffe says,...
Executive produced by Radcliffe, the documentary showcases the decade-long bond between the “Harry Potter” star and stuntman Holmes during the making of the iconic franchise. But, Holmes’ world is turned upside down when a debilitating spinal injury on set leaves him paralyzed.
“As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David’s extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration,” the documentary’s official logline reads.
“He just seemed like a cool older brother,” Radcliffe says of Holmes in the trailer. “He would do the most dangerous physical stuff.”
Of the accident, Radcliffe says,...
- 11/1/2023
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
Daniel Radcliffe is partnering up with David Holmes, his longtime stunt double in the Harry Potter films, to create a documentary based on his life.
Holmes was brought onto the film franchise ahead of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and, over the course of 10 years, he and Radcliffe formed an “inextricable bond.” However, in the penultimate film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Holmes had a tragic accident on set that left him paralyzed after a spinal injury.
“As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David’s extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration,” Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement about the documentary, which is directed by Dan Hartley (Lad: A Yorkshire Story).
The statement continued, “Featuring candid personal footage shot over the last decade, behind-the-scenes material from Holmes’ stunt work,...
Holmes was brought onto the film franchise ahead of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and, over the course of 10 years, he and Radcliffe formed an “inextricable bond.” However, in the penultimate film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1, Holmes had a tragic accident on set that left him paralyzed after a spinal injury.
“As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David’s extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration,” Warner Bros. Discovery said in a statement about the documentary, which is directed by Dan Hartley (Lad: A Yorkshire Story).
The statement continued, “Featuring candid personal footage shot over the last decade, behind-the-scenes material from Holmes’ stunt work,...
- 10/25/2023
- by Christy Piña
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The HBO Original documentary David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived, executive produced by Daniel Radcliffe and directed by Dan Hartley (“Lad: A Yorkshire Story”), debuts Wednesday, November 15 (9:00-10:30 p.m. Et/Pt) on HBO and will be available to stream on Max.
Synopsis: The film is a coming-of-age story of stuntman David Holmes, a prodigious teenage gymnast from Essex, England, who is selected to play Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the first Harry Potter film, when Daniel is just eleven. Over the next ten years, the two form an inextricable bond, but on the penultimate film a tragic accident on set leaves David paralyzed with a debilitating spinal injury, turning his world upside down. As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David’s extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration.
Synopsis: The film is a coming-of-age story of stuntman David Holmes, a prodigious teenage gymnast from Essex, England, who is selected to play Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the first Harry Potter film, when Daniel is just eleven. Over the next ten years, the two form an inextricable bond, but on the penultimate film a tragic accident on set leaves David paralyzed with a debilitating spinal injury, turning his world upside down. As Daniel and his closest stunt colleagues rally to support David and his family in their moment of need, it is David’s extraordinary spirit of resilience that becomes their greatest source of strength and inspiration.
- 10/24/2023
- by TV Shows Martin Cid Magazine
- Martin Cid - TV
Daniel Radcliffe has boarded the upcoming HBO original documentary “David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived” as an executive producer, in addition to being prominently featured in the film as an interview subject. The movie, set to debut in November, chronicles the life of Radcliffe’s “Harry Potter” stunt double, who worked closely alongside Radcliffe from “Sorcerer’s Stone” all the way to “Deathly Hallows Part 1” when he was tragically paralyzed during a set accident. Holmes broke his neck performing a stunt and was paralyzed from the chest down.
The official doc synopsis from HBO reads: “The film is a coming-of-age story of stuntman David Holmes, a prodigious teenage gymnast from Essex, England, who is selected to play Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the first ‘Harry Potter’ film, when Daniel is just 11. Over the next 10 years, the two form an inextricable bond, but on the penultimate film a tragic accident...
The official doc synopsis from HBO reads: “The film is a coming-of-age story of stuntman David Holmes, a prodigious teenage gymnast from Essex, England, who is selected to play Daniel Radcliffe’s stunt double in the first ‘Harry Potter’ film, when Daniel is just 11. Over the next 10 years, the two form an inextricable bond, but on the penultimate film a tragic accident...
- 10/24/2023
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Daniel Radcliffe is exec producing a documentary about his former stunt double who was left paralyzed following an accident on the Harry Potter set.
Sky and HBO Documentary Films are behind David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived, the coming-of-age story of a prodigious teenage gymnast who formed an inextricable bond with Harry Potter star Radcliffe.
Holmes was working on Deathly Hallows: Part 1 when an explosion that was part of a planned stunt sent him plummeting to the ground, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down with a debilitating spinal injury that turned his life upside down.
Featuring candid personal footage shot over the last decade, behind-the-scenes material from Holmes’ stunt work, scenes of his current life and intimate interviews with him, Radcliffe, friends, family, and former crew, the film reflects universal themes of living with adversity, growing up and the bonds that bind people together.
Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn...
Sky and HBO Documentary Films are behind David Holmes: The Boy Who Lived, the coming-of-age story of a prodigious teenage gymnast who formed an inextricable bond with Harry Potter star Radcliffe.
Holmes was working on Deathly Hallows: Part 1 when an explosion that was part of a planned stunt sent him plummeting to the ground, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down with a debilitating spinal injury that turned his life upside down.
Featuring candid personal footage shot over the last decade, behind-the-scenes material from Holmes’ stunt work, scenes of his current life and intimate interviews with him, Radcliffe, friends, family, and former crew, the film reflects universal themes of living with adversity, growing up and the bonds that bind people together.
Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn...
- 10/24/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Kardashian family is the subject of a new documentary, though this time, they're not running the show. A three-part series called "House of Kardashian" - which explores the family's ascension to pop culture royalty as well as their empires, conflicts, and challenges - aired on Comcast's UK-based Sky Documentaries and the streaming service Now earlier this month. Now, it's headed to Peacock in November.
"The Kardashians have redefined the American dream," is said in the docuseries' trailer, which dropped on Sept. 14. The documentary also features new footage and interviews with members of the Kardashian family's inner circle, including Caitlyn Jenner, who appears in the trailer. At one point in the clip, Jenner claims that Kim Kardashian "calculated" her fame "from the beginning."
"I was happy to participate in the interview process to share my side which points to the strength, influence, and prowess my family has in captivating...
"The Kardashians have redefined the American dream," is said in the docuseries' trailer, which dropped on Sept. 14. The documentary also features new footage and interviews with members of the Kardashian family's inner circle, including Caitlyn Jenner, who appears in the trailer. At one point in the clip, Jenner claims that Kim Kardashian "calculated" her fame "from the beginning."
"I was happy to participate in the interview process to share my side which points to the strength, influence, and prowess my family has in captivating...
- 10/23/2023
- by Eden Arielle Gordon
- Popsugar.com
Sky, Fifth Season and Lightbox are combining on a premium documentary series telling the extraordinary story of a group of young women from across the globe who join forces to bring down a predatory Italian policeman.
Based on the hit podcast, Verified, Bad Host: Hunting the Couchsurfing Predator is being produced in association with Scripps. Produced by Simon and Jonathan Chinn’s Lightbox, the project will be one of Fifth Season’s flagship projects at Mipcom Cannes.
Bad Host tells the Tinder Swindler-esque story of how a group of remarkable young women, unbeknownst to each other, were all victims of a predator who lured them to stay with him using Couchsurfing, a website where travellers can find trustworthy hosts to put them up in their homes for free. Tracing each other through the internet, the young women united and battled for six years, often in the face of indifference in their home countries,...
Based on the hit podcast, Verified, Bad Host: Hunting the Couchsurfing Predator is being produced in association with Scripps. Produced by Simon and Jonathan Chinn’s Lightbox, the project will be one of Fifth Season’s flagship projects at Mipcom Cannes.
Bad Host tells the Tinder Swindler-esque story of how a group of remarkable young women, unbeknownst to each other, were all victims of a predator who lured them to stay with him using Couchsurfing, a website where travellers can find trustworthy hosts to put them up in their homes for free. Tracing each other through the internet, the young women united and battled for six years, often in the face of indifference in their home countries,...
- 9/28/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast-owned Sky has released the first trailer for its upcoming documentary series about the Kardshian-Jenner clan.
Titled “House of Kardashian,” the three part docu-series promises to delve into the lives and legacies of Kris Jenner and her brood by speaking to some of the people closest to them — including Jenner’s ex-spouse Caitlyn Jenner and longtime family friend Joe Francis (of “Girls Gone Wild” fame) – as well as getting access to previously unseen archival footage of the family before they became famous.
Unlike their self-titled series “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and its successor “The Kardashians,” none of the family had any editorial control over the documentary, which promises to be explosive.
In the first trailer, Caitlyn Jenner reveals: “Kimberly calculated from the beginning, ‘How do I become famous?’” while Francis tells the camera: “The sex tape was a means to an end. It was to create a controversy.
Titled “House of Kardashian,” the three part docu-series promises to delve into the lives and legacies of Kris Jenner and her brood by speaking to some of the people closest to them — including Jenner’s ex-spouse Caitlyn Jenner and longtime family friend Joe Francis (of “Girls Gone Wild” fame) – as well as getting access to previously unseen archival footage of the family before they became famous.
Unlike their self-titled series “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” and its successor “The Kardashians,” none of the family had any editorial control over the documentary, which promises to be explosive.
In the first trailer, Caitlyn Jenner reveals: “Kimberly calculated from the beginning, ‘How do I become famous?’” while Francis tells the camera: “The sex tape was a means to an end. It was to create a controversy.
- 9/14/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Sky is opening the door to the House Of Kardashian in a three-part documentary series from the makers of Netflix show Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story.
72 Films, which also made Amazon’s All or Nothing: Arsenal, has secured access to Caitlyn Jenner and unseen archive footage from the world of the Kardashian-Jenners.
Katie Hindley, who directed Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story, is directing the documentary. It will premiere later this fall.
Poppy Dixon, Director of Documentaries and Factual at Sky, said 72 Films is skilled in “breaking down the dynasties of our age” and House Of Kardashian would be a “really entertaining watch.”
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Dixon admitted that she was “indifferent” about the Kardashians before being pitched the series, but recognized that the family was a window on power, race, and feminism.
Clare Cameron, Executive Producer for 72 Films, said: “As a film-maker, you might...
72 Films, which also made Amazon’s All or Nothing: Arsenal, has secured access to Caitlyn Jenner and unseen archive footage from the world of the Kardashian-Jenners.
Katie Hindley, who directed Jimmy Savile: A British Horror Story, is directing the documentary. It will premiere later this fall.
Poppy Dixon, Director of Documentaries and Factual at Sky, said 72 Films is skilled in “breaking down the dynasties of our age” and House Of Kardashian would be a “really entertaining watch.”
Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Dixon admitted that she was “indifferent” about the Kardashians before being pitched the series, but recognized that the family was a window on power, race, and feminism.
Clare Cameron, Executive Producer for 72 Films, said: “As a film-maker, you might...
- 8/24/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
For those who can never get enough of the Kardashians and Caitlyn Jenner, Comcast’s European pay-tv giant Sky has something in the works: a three-part documentary series called House of Kardashian, which it says will be “exploring one of the world’s most powerful families — the Kardashian-Jenners.”
Produced by Fremantle’s 72 Films, the series “aims to confound expectations and challenge what society knows of the Kardashians, exploring their rise, reach and the cost that comes with being some of the most famous women on the planet,” Sky said. “No other family defines our time or divides opinion like the Kardashians. To some they are admired as a dynasty of powerful women, inspiring girls across the planet. To others, they are untalented and morally bankrupt reality stars, who are damaging women by selling their life as a superficial fairytale.”
The show promises “bold, entertaining story-telling” and “exclusive, unseen archival footage...
Produced by Fremantle’s 72 Films, the series “aims to confound expectations and challenge what society knows of the Kardashians, exploring their rise, reach and the cost that comes with being some of the most famous women on the planet,” Sky said. “No other family defines our time or divides opinion like the Kardashians. To some they are admired as a dynasty of powerful women, inspiring girls across the planet. To others, they are untalented and morally bankrupt reality stars, who are damaging women by selling their life as a superficial fairytale.”
The show promises “bold, entertaining story-telling” and “exclusive, unseen archival footage...
- 8/24/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“House of Kardashian,” a three-part documentary series exploring the Kardashian-Jenners, will arrive on the U.K.’s Sky Documentaries and streaming service Now this fall.
The series, produced by Fremantle’s 72 Films, aims to challenge what society knows of the Kardashians, exploring their rise, reach and the cost that comes with being some of the most famous women on the planet. It features unseen archival footage and first-hand testimony from some of those within the Kardashian-Jenner inner circle, including Caitlyn Jenner, and also explores the family dynamic, scandal, controversial business deals and personal struggles.
The series was commissioned by Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and factual at Sky, and Hayley Reynolds, commissioning editor, on behalf of Zai Bennett, MD of content, Sky U.K. and Ireland. “House of Kardashian” is series directed by Katie Hindley and executive produced by Clare Cameron, alongside 72 Films’ creative director John Douglas.
Fremantle is handling international distribution,...
The series, produced by Fremantle’s 72 Films, aims to challenge what society knows of the Kardashians, exploring their rise, reach and the cost that comes with being some of the most famous women on the planet. It features unseen archival footage and first-hand testimony from some of those within the Kardashian-Jenner inner circle, including Caitlyn Jenner, and also explores the family dynamic, scandal, controversial business deals and personal struggles.
The series was commissioned by Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and factual at Sky, and Hayley Reynolds, commissioning editor, on behalf of Zai Bennett, MD of content, Sky U.K. and Ireland. “House of Kardashian” is series directed by Katie Hindley and executive produced by Clare Cameron, alongside 72 Films’ creative director John Douglas.
Fremantle is handling international distribution,...
- 8/24/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Mobeen Azhar has questioned whether the documentary genre will “end up in a situation where buyers with the biggest cheque books get bigger access,” but senior Sky and Amazon execs have shot back.
The BAFTA-winning documentarian raised fears that public service broadcasters with shallower pockets will end up in a “special space without money” that he compared to a “desert island,” while the best contributors opt for docs greenlit by the money-laden U.S. streaming services.
“That’s why I think [paying contributors] is an issue and I know it already happens,” said Azhar, who has made a wealth of docs mainly for the BBC.
Azhar debated with BBC, Sky and Amazon doc bosses this afternoon at the Edinburgh TV Festival over the practice of how much to pay contributors, or whether they should be paid at all.
Sky’s Poppy Dixon shot back at Azhar. “You are presuming that [a contributors’] primary motivation is money,...
The BAFTA-winning documentarian raised fears that public service broadcasters with shallower pockets will end up in a “special space without money” that he compared to a “desert island,” while the best contributors opt for docs greenlit by the money-laden U.S. streaming services.
“That’s why I think [paying contributors] is an issue and I know it already happens,” said Azhar, who has made a wealth of docs mainly for the BBC.
Azhar debated with BBC, Sky and Amazon doc bosses this afternoon at the Edinburgh TV Festival over the practice of how much to pay contributors, or whether they should be paid at all.
Sky’s Poppy Dixon shot back at Azhar. “You are presuming that [a contributors’] primary motivation is money,...
- 8/23/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Louis Theroux has unveiled a Sky feature documentary exploring the controversial affair between a married female professor and a non-verbal black man with cerebral palsy, which led to one of the most divisive criminal trials of the 21st century.
As he prepares to deliver tomorrow’s Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart address, Tell Them You Love Me looks set to be one of the most high profile shows so far to come from the celebrated documentarian’s Mindhouse Productions.
Co-produced with U.S. streamer Topic and distributed by Kino Lorber in North America and NBCUniversal internationally, the 100-minute feature follows the astounding events that led to a divisive criminal trial, which is described as a “misunderstood love affair or a tale of sexual assault and predatory behaviour.”
When the pair first meet, Anna Stubblefield is a respected academic and a disability rights advocate; passionate in her belief that the most essential...
As he prepares to deliver tomorrow’s Edinburgh TV Festival MacTaggart address, Tell Them You Love Me looks set to be one of the most high profile shows so far to come from the celebrated documentarian’s Mindhouse Productions.
Co-produced with U.S. streamer Topic and distributed by Kino Lorber in North America and NBCUniversal internationally, the 100-minute feature follows the astounding events that led to a divisive criminal trial, which is described as a “misunderstood love affair or a tale of sexual assault and predatory behaviour.”
When the pair first meet, Anna Stubblefield is a respected academic and a disability rights advocate; passionate in her belief that the most essential...
- 8/22/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Distribution
Indian multiplex chains PVR and Inox, which merged earlier this year, have launched a combined distribution arm PVR Inox Pictures, formerly PVR Pictures, “to increase investments in content acquisition to streamline high quality content for the Indian market, generate further opportunity for underrepresented storytellers and independent creators, and deliver a robust content slate to the Indian audience.”
PVR Inox operates a network of 1689 cinema screens in 361 properties across 115 cities in India and Sri Lanka, and holds 43% share of multiplex screens in India. PVR Inox Pictures is the largest independent distributor of foreign language films and a prominent distributor of Indian films, in India.
“With two large forces coming together, the scale of opportunities is unprecedented. PVR Inox Pictures will continue to serve as a partner to the content producers across the globe and expand the quality and depth of content that is made available to Indian consumers. PVR Inox...
Indian multiplex chains PVR and Inox, which merged earlier this year, have launched a combined distribution arm PVR Inox Pictures, formerly PVR Pictures, “to increase investments in content acquisition to streamline high quality content for the Indian market, generate further opportunity for underrepresented storytellers and independent creators, and deliver a robust content slate to the Indian audience.”
PVR Inox operates a network of 1689 cinema screens in 361 properties across 115 cities in India and Sri Lanka, and holds 43% share of multiplex screens in India. PVR Inox Pictures is the largest independent distributor of foreign language films and a prominent distributor of Indian films, in India.
“With two large forces coming together, the scale of opportunities is unprecedented. PVR Inox Pictures will continue to serve as a partner to the content producers across the globe and expand the quality and depth of content that is made available to Indian consumers. PVR Inox...
- 5/17/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast’s Sky is lining up a three-part doc for the 20th anniversary of the London bombings of 2005.
7/7: Britain’s Day of Terror (w/t), will launch on Sky Documentaries and streamer Now in 2025, 20 years after the 7/7 bombings on July 7 2005, which killed 52 people and injured more than 700 injured as part Al-Qaeda’s campaign of violence.
Blast Films, a Sky Studios-owned producer, will make the doc, which Sky claims will be the “definitive” story on the fateful events. It’s being billed as “incisive and layered” with “unprecedented access to those closest to the story – many of whom have never spoken before.”
Three perspectives will be told in parallel: the investigators hunting for answers, ordinary civilians embroiled in the attacks, and unheard voices from those closely connected to the perpetrators. Also included are revelations about the four bombers’ personal histories and motivations to “provide a deeper, historical insight into...
7/7: Britain’s Day of Terror (w/t), will launch on Sky Documentaries and streamer Now in 2025, 20 years after the 7/7 bombings on July 7 2005, which killed 52 people and injured more than 700 injured as part Al-Qaeda’s campaign of violence.
Blast Films, a Sky Studios-owned producer, will make the doc, which Sky claims will be the “definitive” story on the fateful events. It’s being billed as “incisive and layered” with “unprecedented access to those closest to the story – many of whom have never spoken before.”
Three perspectives will be told in parallel: the investigators hunting for answers, ordinary civilians embroiled in the attacks, and unheard voices from those closely connected to the perpetrators. Also included are revelations about the four bombers’ personal histories and motivations to “provide a deeper, historical insight into...
- 5/16/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The events of Mark Zuckerberg’s life and creation of Facebook/Meta are to be charted in a Sky documentary, revealed on an eight-strong slate.
Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse [working title] will piece together the events of the billionaire’s life along with the creation of his world-shaping website across 90 minutes. The feature from My Daughter’s Killer indie Rogan Productions and director Nick Green will combine rare archive footage and exclusive interviews with those close to Zuckerberg.
Facebook, now Meta, is nearing its 20th anniversary and the BBC greenlit a similar series, simply titled Zuckerberg, around six months ago, from Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse Productions.
The doc has been ordered for the Sky Documentaries channel and sits alongside a number of shows revealed on a hefty factual slate by Deadline this morning.
These include Daley [working title] from Oscar-winner Passion Pictures, providing the definite account of one of Britain’s greatest olympians Daley Thompson,...
Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse [working title] will piece together the events of the billionaire’s life along with the creation of his world-shaping website across 90 minutes. The feature from My Daughter’s Killer indie Rogan Productions and director Nick Green will combine rare archive footage and exclusive interviews with those close to Zuckerberg.
Facebook, now Meta, is nearing its 20th anniversary and the BBC greenlit a similar series, simply titled Zuckerberg, around six months ago, from Louis Theroux’s Mindhouse Productions.
The doc has been ordered for the Sky Documentaries channel and sits alongside a number of shows revealed on a hefty factual slate by Deadline this morning.
These include Daley [working title] from Oscar-winner Passion Pictures, providing the definite account of one of Britain’s greatest olympians Daley Thompson,...
- 1/30/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar-nominated actor Tom Hardy is set to narrate the upcoming natural history series Predators, a co-production between the U.K.’s Sky Studios and Netflix. The six-part series will debut in December and follows five apex predators as they fight to survive in some of the world’s most challenging environments. The episodes will feature polar bears in Canada, wild dogs in Zimbabwe, puma in Chile, lions in Botswana, and cheetahs in Tanzania. “This series celebrates some of the most exhilarating and impressive animals on Earth, whilst recognizing the impact of climate change on their lives and habitats,” said Poppy Dixon, Sky’s Director of Documentaries and Factual. “To bring Predators to life with one of the UK’s most gifted and reputable talents, who has a passion for environmental causes, is a great pleasure.” Hardy, known for his roles in Hollywood blockbusters such as Mad Max: Fury Road and Dunkirk,...
- 9/28/2022
- TV Insider
Documentary
Tom Hardy is set to narrate a natural history series for Sky Nature, titled “Predators.”
Set to launch in December, the series will follow five apex predators as they fight to survive in some of the world’s most challenging environments: polar bears in Canada, wild dogs in Zimbabwe, puma in Chile, lions in Botswana, brown bears in Russia and cheetahs in Tanzania.
It also represents Sky’s first co-production with Netflix. The series was produced by True to Nature and Sky Studios in association with Netflix. It will launch on Sky Nature and Sky’s streaming platform Now in December. A Netflix release date hasn’t been confirmed.
Zai Bennett, Sky’s managing director of content, and Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and factual, commissioned the series. Wendy Dark exec produces while Vanessa Coates is show runner and Dan Smith series director. NBCUniversal Global Distribution are distributing on behalf of Sky Studios.
Tom Hardy is set to narrate a natural history series for Sky Nature, titled “Predators.”
Set to launch in December, the series will follow five apex predators as they fight to survive in some of the world’s most challenging environments: polar bears in Canada, wild dogs in Zimbabwe, puma in Chile, lions in Botswana, brown bears in Russia and cheetahs in Tanzania.
It also represents Sky’s first co-production with Netflix. The series was produced by True to Nature and Sky Studios in association with Netflix. It will launch on Sky Nature and Sky’s streaming platform Now in December. A Netflix release date hasn’t been confirmed.
Zai Bennett, Sky’s managing director of content, and Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and factual, commissioned the series. Wendy Dark exec produces while Vanessa Coates is show runner and Dan Smith series director. NBCUniversal Global Distribution are distributing on behalf of Sky Studios.
- 9/28/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Tom Hardy To Narrate Sky And Netflix Nature Doc ‘Predators’
Mad Max: Fury Road and Venom star Tom Hardy will narrate the upcoming Sky Nature and Netflix doc series Predators. The show, unveiled earlier this year, is the first co-pro between Sky and Netflix and comes from Sky-owned True to Nature and Sky Studios, in association with the streamer. It follows five apex predators as they face the ultimate test of survival in drastically changing environments across the globe. “To bring Predators to life with one of the UK’s most gifted and reputable talents, who has a passion for environmental causes, is a great pleasure,” said Sky’s Director of Documentaries and Factual, Poppy Dixon. In the UK, Germany and Italy, the show is set to launch on Sky Nature and streaming service Now in December. Sky’s Comcast stablemate NBCUniversal Global Distribution is selling the show internationally.
European...
Mad Max: Fury Road and Venom star Tom Hardy will narrate the upcoming Sky Nature and Netflix doc series Predators. The show, unveiled earlier this year, is the first co-pro between Sky and Netflix and comes from Sky-owned True to Nature and Sky Studios, in association with the streamer. It follows five apex predators as they face the ultimate test of survival in drastically changing environments across the globe. “To bring Predators to life with one of the UK’s most gifted and reputable talents, who has a passion for environmental causes, is a great pleasure,” said Sky’s Director of Documentaries and Factual, Poppy Dixon. In the UK, Germany and Italy, the show is set to launch on Sky Nature and streaming service Now in December. Sky’s Comcast stablemate NBCUniversal Global Distribution is selling the show internationally.
European...
- 9/28/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime is targeting a November release for its Phil Spector docuseries and has unveiled a trailer that highlights the guns and mayhem surrounding the legendary and controversial record producer.
The premium cabler is launching four-part series Spector, which is a co-production with British pay-tv broadcaster Sky on November 4.
The series will look at what happened on the fateful night of February 3, 2003 when actress Lana Clarkson was shot dead in his mansion. The victim was a charismatic and once prolific film actress whom Spector had met just that night. Through the lens of this notorious crime and the infamous trial which followed, the explores the stories of both Clarkson and the man who was convicted of her murder.
It comes from Sheena M. Joyce and Don Argott, the co-directors of Framing John Delorean, Searching for Sugar Man producer Simon Chinn and Tina producer Jonathan Chinn and director James Marsh, who helmed...
The premium cabler is launching four-part series Spector, which is a co-production with British pay-tv broadcaster Sky on November 4.
The series will look at what happened on the fateful night of February 3, 2003 when actress Lana Clarkson was shot dead in his mansion. The victim was a charismatic and once prolific film actress whom Spector had met just that night. Through the lens of this notorious crime and the infamous trial which followed, the explores the stories of both Clarkson and the man who was convicted of her murder.
It comes from Sheena M. Joyce and Don Argott, the co-directors of Framing John Delorean, Searching for Sugar Man producer Simon Chinn and Tina producer Jonathan Chinn and director James Marsh, who helmed...
- 9/27/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Adjoa Andoh is narrating “Chasing the Rains,” an upcoming four-part docuseries on African wildlife, Variety can exclusively reveal.
Andoh is perhaps best know as “Bridgerton’s” Lady Danbury and has also appeared in “The Witcher” and “Silent Witness” as well as numerous theatrical productions.
Produced by Love Nature and Sky Nature and created by Maramedia (“Stormborn”), the docuseries promises to take viewers “into one of the most majestic, unspoiled and rarely filmed areas in Africa” in an exploration of how wildlife – including cheetahs, hyenas and elephants – survive the cycles of draught and rainfall.
The series, which will launch in December on Love Nature’s linear and streaming platforms, is produced in association with Arte France.
It will then debut on Sky Nature in the U.K. in March 2023 as well as in Italy as part of Love Nature and Sky’s content partnership. It will premiere on Arte in France and Germany.
Andoh is perhaps best know as “Bridgerton’s” Lady Danbury and has also appeared in “The Witcher” and “Silent Witness” as well as numerous theatrical productions.
Produced by Love Nature and Sky Nature and created by Maramedia (“Stormborn”), the docuseries promises to take viewers “into one of the most majestic, unspoiled and rarely filmed areas in Africa” in an exploration of how wildlife – including cheetahs, hyenas and elephants – survive the cycles of draught and rainfall.
The series, which will launch in December on Love Nature’s linear and streaming platforms, is produced in association with Arte France.
It will then debut on Sky Nature in the U.K. in March 2023 as well as in Italy as part of Love Nature and Sky’s content partnership. It will premiere on Arte in France and Germany.
- 9/21/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Sky has greenlit documentaries on England World Cup winner Geoff Hurst, serial killer Fred West and music producer Phil Spector. Scroll down for the full slate below.
The shows come on a seven-strong slate at the Edinburgh Television Festival, which also includes Whales with Steve Backshall, a follow-up to the nature presenter’s Shark series, along with Secret World of Sound [working title] about animal behavior.
Intrusion: Stasi Fc uses personal testimony from survivors and an extensive archive to tell the compelling story of how The Stasi, East Germany’s secret service, abused football to destabilize the last oasis of free speech in the country, meanwhile. Finally, The Good Fight Club will follow a dynamic, young team of mixed martial arts fighters from South East London in training.
The slate, which is led by Matthew Lorenzo Productions’ Hurst: The First and Only, telling off the life of the man who scored a...
The shows come on a seven-strong slate at the Edinburgh Television Festival, which also includes Whales with Steve Backshall, a follow-up to the nature presenter’s Shark series, along with Secret World of Sound [working title] about animal behavior.
Intrusion: Stasi Fc uses personal testimony from survivors and an extensive archive to tell the compelling story of how The Stasi, East Germany’s secret service, abused football to destabilize the last oasis of free speech in the country, meanwhile. Finally, The Good Fight Club will follow a dynamic, young team of mixed martial arts fighters from South East London in training.
The slate, which is led by Matthew Lorenzo Productions’ Hurst: The First and Only, telling off the life of the man who scored a...
- 8/25/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Commissions
“The Freedom Orchestra” (working title), a documentary film presented by Clive Myrie, will tell the story of Ukraine’s newly formed Freedom Orchestra. In the midst of the ongoing war with Russia, 75 of Ukraine’s noted musicians have come together to bring a message of defiance and hope. Some of their family members are on the frontlines, and many have fled Ukraine since the war began.
Myrie follows the stories of the musicians from rehearsing, often alone, in Ukraine, to coming together for their first rehearsal as an orchestra in Warsaw for their inaugural concert — ahead of a tour of Europe and the U.S., including a performance at the BBC Proms on July 31.
Myrie said: “There has always been a cultural frontline in this war and I wanted to reflect that struggle. This documentary, I hope, shines a light on Ukraine’s artistic achievements as well as creative spirit,...
“The Freedom Orchestra” (working title), a documentary film presented by Clive Myrie, will tell the story of Ukraine’s newly formed Freedom Orchestra. In the midst of the ongoing war with Russia, 75 of Ukraine’s noted musicians have come together to bring a message of defiance and hope. Some of their family members are on the frontlines, and many have fled Ukraine since the war began.
Myrie follows the stories of the musicians from rehearsing, often alone, in Ukraine, to coming together for their first rehearsal as an orchestra in Warsaw for their inaugural concert — ahead of a tour of Europe and the U.S., including a performance at the BBC Proms on July 31.
Myrie said: “There has always been a cultural frontline in this war and I wanted to reflect that struggle. This documentary, I hope, shines a light on Ukraine’s artistic achievements as well as creative spirit,...
- 7/29/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Interview
Former Chancellor and U.K. Prime Ministerial hopeful Rishi Sunak will be interviewed live on Channel 4, the British broadcaster whose privatization he has vowed to go ahead with. Sunak will be interviewed on a special episode of “The Andrew Neil Show” on July 29, after “Channel 4 News.” The program will be made by ITN Productions.
The other remaining candidate for Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, has been invited for an interview but has so far declined to take part. “The invitation remains open,” Channel 4 said.
A peak audience of more than two million people tuned in to the Channel 4 Conservative leadership debate, the first TV debate in the contest to be Britain’s next Prime Minister. Sunak and Truss face off on a TV debate on the BBC on June 25, presented by Sophie Raworth, with analysis from BBC political editor Chris Mason and BBC economics editor Faisal Islam.
Former Chancellor and U.K. Prime Ministerial hopeful Rishi Sunak will be interviewed live on Channel 4, the British broadcaster whose privatization he has vowed to go ahead with. Sunak will be interviewed on a special episode of “The Andrew Neil Show” on July 29, after “Channel 4 News.” The program will be made by ITN Productions.
The other remaining candidate for Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, has been invited for an interview but has so far declined to take part. “The invitation remains open,” Channel 4 said.
A peak audience of more than two million people tuned in to the Channel 4 Conservative leadership debate, the first TV debate in the contest to be Britain’s next Prime Minister. Sunak and Truss face off on a TV debate on the BBC on June 25, presented by Sophie Raworth, with analysis from BBC political editor Chris Mason and BBC economics editor Faisal Islam.
- 7/25/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Representation
“Slow Horses” star Christopher Chung has signed with The Artists Partnership in the U.K. for representation. He will be repped by Christina Shepherd, who also counts Olivia Cooke, Suranne Jones and Noah Jupe among her clients. Chung recently dazzled viewers as egotistical tech wizard Roddy Ho in Apple TV+ spy series “Slow Horses,” which also starred Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Season 2 has wrapped and the show has already been renewed for a third and fourth season.
As well as an extensive theater background, including stints in Andy Fickman’s “Heathers the Musical, where he originated the role of Kurt, and “Romeo & Juliet” at Shakespeare’s Globe, Chung has also appeared in British drama “Waterloo Road.” Chung is also repped by More/Medavoy Management in the U.S.
Presenters
Victoria Derbyshire, who currently presents on the BBC News channel, BBC World News and the “News at...
“Slow Horses” star Christopher Chung has signed with The Artists Partnership in the U.K. for representation. He will be repped by Christina Shepherd, who also counts Olivia Cooke, Suranne Jones and Noah Jupe among her clients. Chung recently dazzled viewers as egotistical tech wizard Roddy Ho in Apple TV+ spy series “Slow Horses,” which also starred Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Season 2 has wrapped and the show has already been renewed for a third and fourth season.
As well as an extensive theater background, including stints in Andy Fickman’s “Heathers the Musical, where he originated the role of Kurt, and “Romeo & Juliet” at Shakespeare’s Globe, Chung has also appeared in British drama “Waterloo Road.” Chung is also repped by More/Medavoy Management in the U.S.
Presenters
Victoria Derbyshire, who currently presents on the BBC News channel, BBC World News and the “News at...
- 7/8/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Sky has unveiled one of its biggest factual slates yet, greenlighting six shows including documentaries on the assassination of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme and the Italian 1990 football World Cup, and a royal factual drama told through the eyes of Queen Victoria’s granddaughters.
The shows will air across Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky Nature and Sky History over the next year and come as the Comcast-owned pay-tv giant prepares for a swanky London do tomorrow night, at which they will be presented.
Leading the slate is The Assassination of Olof Palme, a thriller-esque four-part series set in the Scandi Noir world of Cold War Sweden when the Prime Minister was shot in 1986 on the snowy streets of Stockholm. What followed was a 36-year search for the killer, which consumed many including the late Girl With the Dragon Tattoo author Stieg Larsson.
Next is three-parter Italia’ 90 as Sky doubles down on sports docs,...
The shows will air across Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky Nature and Sky History over the next year and come as the Comcast-owned pay-tv giant prepares for a swanky London do tomorrow night, at which they will be presented.
Leading the slate is The Assassination of Olof Palme, a thriller-esque four-part series set in the Scandi Noir world of Cold War Sweden when the Prime Minister was shot in 1986 on the snowy streets of Stockholm. What followed was a 36-year search for the killer, which consumed many including the late Girl With the Dragon Tattoo author Stieg Larsson.
Next is three-parter Italia’ 90 as Sky doubles down on sports docs,...
- 5/16/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Sky is making 200 originals in 2022, CEO Dana Strong has said, while talking up the pay-tv giant’s relationship with the Public Service Broadcasters (Psb) as having “never been stronger” and revealing that 30 of BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5’s content is watched on the platform.
The number of originals has trebled over three years and is testament to Sky’s commitment to its original content pivot, said Strong.
Speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms conference, Strong said she is “extraordinarily respectful” of these PSBs at a time when they are under threat, with the BBC license fee frozen for two years and Channel 4 set to be privatized.
“The role Psb plays could not be more important in UK culture,” she added. “The history of storytelling in the UK is profound and I couldn’t be more supportive. Connecting people with the content they love works...
The number of originals has trebled over three years and is testament to Sky’s commitment to its original content pivot, said Strong.
Speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Media and Telecoms conference, Strong said she is “extraordinarily respectful” of these PSBs at a time when they are under threat, with the BBC license fee frozen for two years and Channel 4 set to be privatized.
“The role Psb plays could not be more important in UK culture,” she added. “The history of storytelling in the UK is profound and I couldn’t be more supportive. Connecting people with the content they love works...
- 5/12/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Rts London Unveils Lineup & Warner Bros Discovery’s Priya Dogra As Chair
Priya Dogra, the big winner in the recent Warner Bros Discovery international reshuffle, will chair this year’s Royal Television Society (Rts) London Convention entitled The Fight For Attention, with bosses of all the major channels addressing the event. The day of talks and sessions is the first to be principally sponsored by the newly-combined entity. Dogra, who was recently promoted to become President & Managing Director for Emea in a major reshuffle, will set the tone for the one-day convention featuring keynotes from BBC Director General Tim Davie, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall, Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon and Sky Executive Vice President & CEO, UK & Europe, Stephen van Rooyen. More speakers are incoming for the event, which moves between London and Cambridge each year. “With more choice than ever before of what to watch and how to watch it,...
Priya Dogra, the big winner in the recent Warner Bros Discovery international reshuffle, will chair this year’s Royal Television Society (Rts) London Convention entitled The Fight For Attention, with bosses of all the major channels addressing the event. The day of talks and sessions is the first to be principally sponsored by the newly-combined entity. Dogra, who was recently promoted to become President & Managing Director for Emea in a major reshuffle, will set the tone for the one-day convention featuring keynotes from BBC Director General Tim Davie, ITV CEO Carolyn McCall, Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon and Sky Executive Vice President & CEO, UK & Europe, Stephen van Rooyen. More speakers are incoming for the event, which moves between London and Cambridge each year. “With more choice than ever before of what to watch and how to watch it,...
- 5/10/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Documentary
Comcast-owned pay TV service Sky U.K. has released the first trailer for “Super Greed: The Fight for Football.” Produced by Fulwell 73, the 90-minute film charts the rise and rapid fall of the European Super League. In Apr. 2021, owners and executives of the 12 most powerful clubs in world soccer attempted to launch a new competition that would secure their club’s financial future for the next 23 years. The Super League created a fury of opposition from the entire soccer world and collapsed in just 48 hours. “Super Greed: The Fight for Football” tells the inside story of the league through the eyes of those who helped bring it down.
Contributors include president of UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin; president of La Liga, Javier Tebas; chairman of Crystal Palace Fc, Steve Parish; MP for Liverpool, West Derby, Ian Byrne; soccer writer, Nicky Bandini; Arsenal Supporters’ Trust spokesperson, Tim Payton; and Chelsea Supporters’ Trust member,...
Comcast-owned pay TV service Sky U.K. has released the first trailer for “Super Greed: The Fight for Football.” Produced by Fulwell 73, the 90-minute film charts the rise and rapid fall of the European Super League. In Apr. 2021, owners and executives of the 12 most powerful clubs in world soccer attempted to launch a new competition that would secure their club’s financial future for the next 23 years. The Super League created a fury of opposition from the entire soccer world and collapsed in just 48 hours. “Super Greed: The Fight for Football” tells the inside story of the league through the eyes of those who helped bring it down.
Contributors include president of UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin; president of La Liga, Javier Tebas; chairman of Crystal Palace Fc, Steve Parish; MP for Liverpool, West Derby, Ian Byrne; soccer writer, Nicky Bandini; Arsenal Supporters’ Trust spokesperson, Tim Payton; and Chelsea Supporters’ Trust member,...
- 3/16/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
“Flee” won best feature at the International Documentary Association’s annual awards ceremony on Friday night.
Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, “Flee” is also nominated for best documentary feature at this year’s Oscars. Leading the ceremony with the most wins, however, was “Summer of Soul,” which took home the best director prize for Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson as well as best music documentary and best editing.
The ceremony also handed out speciality awards, honoring Roger Ross Williams with the Career Achievement Award, Ronan Farrow with the Truth to Power Award, Cecilia Aldarondo with the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award, Jean Tsien with the Pioneer Award and Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh with the Courage Under Fire Award.
Below, find the full list of winners.
Best Feature
“Flee”
Best Director
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson — “Summer of Soul”
Best Short
“A Broken House”
Best Curated Series
“Independent Lens”
Best Episodic Series
“My Love: Six...
Directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen, “Flee” is also nominated for best documentary feature at this year’s Oscars. Leading the ceremony with the most wins, however, was “Summer of Soul,” which took home the best director prize for Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson as well as best music documentary and best editing.
The ceremony also handed out speciality awards, honoring Roger Ross Williams with the Career Achievement Award, Ronan Farrow with the Truth to Power Award, Cecilia Aldarondo with the Emerging Documentary Filmmaker Award, Jean Tsien with the Pioneer Award and Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh with the Courage Under Fire Award.
Below, find the full list of winners.
Best Feature
“Flee”
Best Director
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson — “Summer of Soul”
Best Short
“A Broken House”
Best Curated Series
“Independent Lens”
Best Episodic Series
“My Love: Six...
- 3/5/2022
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
The Danish animated documentary “Flee” has been named the best nonfiction film of 2021 at the International Documentary Association’s IDA Documentary Awards, which were streamed in a virtual ceremony on Friday night.
The film, in which director Jonas Poher Rasmussen uses animation to disguise the identity of an Afghan refugee who fled to Russian and then Denmark, scored an unprecedented trifecta when it was nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Documentary Feature, Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature Film categories.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson won the IDA award in the Best Director category for “Summer of Soul,” his directorial debut. The film also won in the Best Music Documentary and Best Editing categories, making it the only film to win more than one award at the ceremony.
Other winners included Jimmy Goldblum’s “A Broken House” in the Best Short category, the series “Independent Lens” for Best Curated Series,...
The film, in which director Jonas Poher Rasmussen uses animation to disguise the identity of an Afghan refugee who fled to Russian and then Denmark, scored an unprecedented trifecta when it was nominated for Academy Awards in the Best Documentary Feature, Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature Film categories.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson won the IDA award in the Best Director category for “Summer of Soul,” his directorial debut. The film also won in the Best Music Documentary and Best Editing categories, making it the only film to win more than one award at the ceremony.
Other winners included Jimmy Goldblum’s “A Broken House” in the Best Short category, the series “Independent Lens” for Best Curated Series,...
- 3/5/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Both films in contention at American Cinema Editors, Film Independent Spirit Awards this weekend.
Flee and Summer Of Soul director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson were the big winners at the International Documentary Association’s 37th Annual IDA Documentary Awards on Friday night (4).
Danish Oscar contender Flee directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen and produced by Monica Hellstrӧm, Signe Byrge Sørensen, and Charlotte De La Gournerie was voted best feature by IDA members.
Neon and Participant handle US distribution on the best documentary, animation and international feature Oscar contender.
The Best Director award went to Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson for Summer Of Soul, which...
Flee and Summer Of Soul director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson were the big winners at the International Documentary Association’s 37th Annual IDA Documentary Awards on Friday night (4).
Danish Oscar contender Flee directed by Jonas Poher Rasmussen and produced by Monica Hellstrӧm, Signe Byrge Sørensen, and Charlotte De La Gournerie was voted best feature by IDA members.
Neon and Participant handle US distribution on the best documentary, animation and international feature Oscar contender.
The Best Director award went to Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson for Summer Of Soul, which...
- 3/4/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Netflix and Sky are combining on a TV series for the first time, co-producing a blue-chip natural history landmark entitled Predators.
Sky hosts the streamer on its platform but the pair have never commissioned a series before.
The six-parter, produced by Sky Studios-backed indie True to Nature, will follow six apex predators including polar bears, wild dogs and pumas as they face the ultimate survival test in ever-changing landscapes, with a trailer teased today.
Predators will launch on the Sky Nature channel in the UK, Germany and Italy later this year and Netflix will take rights elsewhere.
The show is one of a trio unveiled by Sky Documentaries and Factual Commissioning Director Poppy Dixon today, alongside Sky Documentaries channel’s Gabon (working title) and Sky Crime’s Death on the Beach.
The former comes from Keo Films and tells the extraordinary story of a scientist from Manchester, who ended...
Sky hosts the streamer on its platform but the pair have never commissioned a series before.
The six-parter, produced by Sky Studios-backed indie True to Nature, will follow six apex predators including polar bears, wild dogs and pumas as they face the ultimate survival test in ever-changing landscapes, with a trailer teased today.
Predators will launch on the Sky Nature channel in the UK, Germany and Italy later this year and Netflix will take rights elsewhere.
The show is one of a trio unveiled by Sky Documentaries and Factual Commissioning Director Poppy Dixon today, alongside Sky Documentaries channel’s Gabon (working title) and Sky Crime’s Death on the Beach.
The former comes from Keo Films and tells the extraordinary story of a scientist from Manchester, who ended...
- 1/25/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC’s Storyville strand, which sets out to showcase the world’s best international documentaries, has picked up a new slate of eight films.
They will be screened on BBC Four and iPlayer over eight weeks starting Jan. 26.
“We’re excited to offer U.K. audiences this eclectic range of documentaries from around the globe,” Philippa Kowarsky, commissioning editor of Storyville, said in a statement.
“These stories deal with the issues of our times, from mistrust of political systems to the challenges of educational attainment, and from class and racial discrimination to the fight for women’s rights. They shine a light on some truly inspirational, and some controversial, characters, as well as some appealing canines!”
Check out the full slate below:
“Final Account” [Pictured above]
About the last living generation of everyday people to participate in the Third Reich
Filmed and Directed by Luke Holland
Produced by John Battsek, Luke Holland,...
They will be screened on BBC Four and iPlayer over eight weeks starting Jan. 26.
“We’re excited to offer U.K. audiences this eclectic range of documentaries from around the globe,” Philippa Kowarsky, commissioning editor of Storyville, said in a statement.
“These stories deal with the issues of our times, from mistrust of political systems to the challenges of educational attainment, and from class and racial discrimination to the fight for women’s rights. They shine a light on some truly inspirational, and some controversial, characters, as well as some appealing canines!”
Check out the full slate below:
“Final Account” [Pictured above]
About the last living generation of everyday people to participate in the Third Reich
Filmed and Directed by Luke Holland
Produced by John Battsek, Luke Holland,...
- 1/21/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu is expanding its true-crime collection with two new titles.
First, from Abducted In Plain Sight director Skye Borgman, the documentary Dead Asleep follows the case of Randy Herman Jr., a Florida man convicted of a murder he says he committed while sleepwalking in 2017. The film shares exclusive footage of Herman and his family, the defense and prosecution attorneys, journalists who covered the case, forensic psychiatrists, and world experts in violent parasomnia (sleepwalking).
Dead Asleep, which is produced by Pulse Films, is a co-production with British pay-tv broadcaster Sky, which will air it on its nascent network Sky Crime. It is exec produced by Pulse Films’ Marisa Clifford, Nelesh Dhand, and Sunshine Jackson and Sky’s Jack Oliver and Poppy Dixon.
Next, the docuseries Captive Audience, about what life was like for kidnapping victim Steven Stayner and his family after the 1989 miniseries I Know My First Name Is Steven (starring Corin Nemec as Steven) aired.
First, from Abducted In Plain Sight director Skye Borgman, the documentary Dead Asleep follows the case of Randy Herman Jr., a Florida man convicted of a murder he says he committed while sleepwalking in 2017. The film shares exclusive footage of Herman and his family, the defense and prosecution attorneys, journalists who covered the case, forensic psychiatrists, and world experts in violent parasomnia (sleepwalking).
Dead Asleep, which is produced by Pulse Films, is a co-production with British pay-tv broadcaster Sky, which will air it on its nascent network Sky Crime. It is exec produced by Pulse Films’ Marisa Clifford, Nelesh Dhand, and Sunshine Jackson and Sky’s Jack Oliver and Poppy Dixon.
Next, the docuseries Captive Audience, about what life was like for kidnapping victim Steven Stayner and his family after the 1989 miniseries I Know My First Name Is Steven (starring Corin Nemec as Steven) aired.
- 8/6/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Awards
Siân Heder’s “Coda,” an Apple original film, has won the 2021 Sundance Film Festival: London Award presented by BIFA.
The award was voted for by 40 leading professionals from the British film industry assembled by the British Independent Film Awards.
The film follows Ruby, a Coda or Child of Deaf Adults, who is torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents. The film stars Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Daniel Durant, and Marlee Matlin, and is produced by Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger.
It had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S., where it won best director U.S. dramatic, U.S. grand jury prize: dramatic and the audience award: U.S. dramatic. Walsh-Peelo attended the London event with Heder joining virtually for a Q & A.
The film will debut in cinemas and on Apple TV Plus on Aug.
Siân Heder’s “Coda,” an Apple original film, has won the 2021 Sundance Film Festival: London Award presented by BIFA.
The award was voted for by 40 leading professionals from the British film industry assembled by the British Independent Film Awards.
The film follows Ruby, a Coda or Child of Deaf Adults, who is torn between pursuing her love of music and her fear of abandoning her parents. The film stars Emilia Jones, Eugenio Derbez, Troy Kotsur, Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Daniel Durant, and Marlee Matlin, and is produced by Philippe Rousselet, Fabrice Gianfermi and Patrick Wachsberger.
It had its world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S., where it won best director U.S. dramatic, U.S. grand jury prize: dramatic and the audience award: U.S. dramatic. Walsh-Peelo attended the London event with Heder joining virtually for a Q & A.
The film will debut in cinemas and on Apple TV Plus on Aug.
- 8/4/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran and Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Sky will chronicle the rise and rapid fall of the reviled European Super League in a 90-minute documentary from Fulwell 73, the James Corden-backed producer behind sports series including Netflix’s Sunderland ‘Til I Die and Amazon’s All or Nothing: Juventus.
To tell the story of the proposed breakaway league, Fulwell 73, has secured exclusive access to figures from the 12 founding clubs, global soccer leagues and federations, players, and fans. They will paint a dramatic story of an idea that collapsed within 72 hours of being announced, sparking protests across Europe.
Carl Hindmarch (Mark Ronson: From the Heart) directs, while Leo Pearlman, Gabe Turner, Ben Turner, and Richard Thompson executive produce. Richard Cooke is the producer. The commissioners for Sky are Zai Bennett, managing director of content for Sky UK and Ireland; Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and factual; and Jamie Morris, director of programs.
Dixon said: “The announcement and...
To tell the story of the proposed breakaway league, Fulwell 73, has secured exclusive access to figures from the 12 founding clubs, global soccer leagues and federations, players, and fans. They will paint a dramatic story of an idea that collapsed within 72 hours of being announced, sparking protests across Europe.
Carl Hindmarch (Mark Ronson: From the Heart) directs, while Leo Pearlman, Gabe Turner, Ben Turner, and Richard Thompson executive produce. Richard Cooke is the producer. The commissioners for Sky are Zai Bennett, managing director of content for Sky UK and Ireland; Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and factual; and Jamie Morris, director of programs.
Dixon said: “The announcement and...
- 6/29/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The stillborn European Super League (Esl) soccer championship, which made global headlines in April before dying a swift death, will be the subject of a new feature documentary from Sky Documentaries and “The Late Late Show With James Corden” producer Fulwell 73.
The film will chart the dramatic announcement of the Esl, which proposed a new annual international competition between the biggest clubs in the game, including 12 founding members from the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga. The enterprise lasted just 72 hours after heated reactions around the world from national governments, football’s governing bodies, other clubs, players, managers, pundits and fans secured its demise.
The doc will also explore recent soccer history to give context to the Esl’s inception. Supported by archive footage, the film will feature interviews with figures from the 12 founding clubs, global footballing leagues and federations, players and fans.
The...
The film will chart the dramatic announcement of the Esl, which proposed a new annual international competition between the biggest clubs in the game, including 12 founding members from the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga. The enterprise lasted just 72 hours after heated reactions around the world from national governments, football’s governing bodies, other clubs, players, managers, pundits and fans secured its demise.
The doc will also explore recent soccer history to give context to the Esl’s inception. Supported by archive footage, the film will feature interviews with figures from the 12 founding clubs, global footballing leagues and federations, players and fans.
The...
- 6/29/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Republic Film Distribution has acquired the title.
Republic Film Distribution has acquired UK-Ireland rights to Sam Hobkinson’s Sundance 2021 documentary Misha And The Wolves.
The distributor has set an exclusive theatrical release for September 3 across the territory; the film will then be broadcast by BBC Storyville later in the year. Netflix previously acquired US rights on the film.
Misha And The Wolves follows a woman whose Holocaust memoir took the world by storm, before a fallout with her publisher – who turned detective – revealed a deception created to hide a darker truth.
The film is produced by Arts Alliance and MetFilm from the UK,...
Republic Film Distribution has acquired UK-Ireland rights to Sam Hobkinson’s Sundance 2021 documentary Misha And The Wolves.
The distributor has set an exclusive theatrical release for September 3 across the territory; the film will then be broadcast by BBC Storyville later in the year. Netflix previously acquired US rights on the film.
Misha And The Wolves follows a woman whose Holocaust memoir took the world by storm, before a fallout with her publisher – who turned detective – revealed a deception created to hide a darker truth.
The film is produced by Arts Alliance and MetFilm from the UK,...
- 6/2/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Sundance Film Festival: London has revealed that “Zola” and “Coda” will be among the 2021 lineup, when the festival returns to Picturehouse Central next month.
“Coda” — an acronym meaning “Child of Deaf Adults” — features Marlee Matlin (“The West Wing”) and 19-year-old Emilia Jones (“Locke & Key”) navigating their relationship, while “Zola” is based on a 148-tweet viral Twitter thread from 2015 by Aziah “Zola” Wells. It stars Taylor Paige (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Riley Keough (“Max Max: Fury Road”) and will close the 4-day festival.
Edgar Wright’s rockumentary “The Sparks Brothers,” described as a “musical odyssey,” opens the festival on July 29.
Other feature film offerings, which have been selected from the longer line-up shown at the Sundance Film Festival, include “The Nest,” starring Jude Law (“Sherlock Holmes”), animation “Cryptozoo,” which features Lake Bell (“BoJack Horseman”) and Michael Cera (“Arrested Development”), and documentary “Writing With Fire,” about a female-run Indian newspaper, which...
“Coda” — an acronym meaning “Child of Deaf Adults” — features Marlee Matlin (“The West Wing”) and 19-year-old Emilia Jones (“Locke & Key”) navigating their relationship, while “Zola” is based on a 148-tweet viral Twitter thread from 2015 by Aziah “Zola” Wells. It stars Taylor Paige (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) and Riley Keough (“Max Max: Fury Road”) and will close the 4-day festival.
Edgar Wright’s rockumentary “The Sparks Brothers,” described as a “musical odyssey,” opens the festival on July 29.
Other feature film offerings, which have been selected from the longer line-up shown at the Sundance Film Festival, include “The Nest,” starring Jude Law (“Sherlock Holmes”), animation “Cryptozoo,” which features Lake Bell (“BoJack Horseman”) and Michael Cera (“Arrested Development”), and documentary “Writing With Fire,” about a female-run Indian newspaper, which...
- 6/2/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The International Icon Interview with Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy winner Whoopi Goldberg will be one of the highlights of the 2021 Edinburgh TV Festival.
Goldberg, a recent Variety cover star, is expected to talk candidly about her life on and off screen and her experiences as a multi-award winning artist, producer, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian, and the future of the entertainment industry.
Led by 2021 advisory chair, Amazon Studios director of European originals, Georgia Brown, this year’s festival theme is “Accelerating Change.”
The 2020 edition took place online and the 2021 event will be hybrid, with several of the digital elements being refreshed, organizers said.
The festival’s controller sessions are evolving to a series of spotlights where a galaxy of U.K. TV and streaming industry heavyweights will speak. Confirmed speakers include Brown and Dan Grabiner, head of unscripted at Amazon. From the BBC, speakers include Charlotte Moore, chief content officer; Kate Phillips,...
Goldberg, a recent Variety cover star, is expected to talk candidly about her life on and off screen and her experiences as a multi-award winning artist, producer, author, entrepreneur and humanitarian, and the future of the entertainment industry.
Led by 2021 advisory chair, Amazon Studios director of European originals, Georgia Brown, this year’s festival theme is “Accelerating Change.”
The 2020 edition took place online and the 2021 event will be hybrid, with several of the digital elements being refreshed, organizers said.
The festival’s controller sessions are evolving to a series of spotlights where a galaxy of U.K. TV and streaming industry heavyweights will speak. Confirmed speakers include Brown and Dan Grabiner, head of unscripted at Amazon. From the BBC, speakers include Charlotte Moore, chief content officer; Kate Phillips,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
An investigative three-part docuseries centered on British socialist Ghislaine Maxwell, known for her association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is coming to NBCUniversal-owned streaming service Peacock on June 24.
The original documentary, produced by Blue Ant Studios, is described as investigating the “powerful, connected, and mysterious Ghislaine Maxwell, who was once the heiress to the Maxwell fortune but whose life takes a sordid downturn when she meets Jeffrey Epstein, the serial sex offender,” according to the network. Maxwell is currently awaiting trial on multiple sex trafficking charges.
“NBCUniversal has a long history with true crime and documentary style programs, and we are excited to carry our history of immersive and gripping storytelling through to Peacock with the addition of this new original three-part series,” said Rod Aissa, NBCUniversal’s executive vice president of unscripted content. “With our partners Blue Ant Studios, we’ve created a compelling and premium investigative...
The original documentary, produced by Blue Ant Studios, is described as investigating the “powerful, connected, and mysterious Ghislaine Maxwell, who was once the heiress to the Maxwell fortune but whose life takes a sordid downturn when she meets Jeffrey Epstein, the serial sex offender,” according to the network. Maxwell is currently awaiting trial on multiple sex trafficking charges.
“NBCUniversal has a long history with true crime and documentary style programs, and we are excited to carry our history of immersive and gripping storytelling through to Peacock with the addition of this new original three-part series,” said Rod Aissa, NBCUniversal’s executive vice president of unscripted content. “With our partners Blue Ant Studios, we’ve created a compelling and premium investigative...
- 5/26/2021
- by Elaine Low
- Variety Film + TV
Peacock and Sky are teaming for the latest documentary series seeking to unravel the secrets of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Blue Ant Studios will produce Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell, which will premiere on NBCUniversal-owned Peacock on June 24 before landing on Comcast-owned Sky on June 28 in the UK. It will be titled Ghislaine Maxwell: Epstein’s Shadow in the UK.
Here’s the logline: “The three-hour documentary investigates the powerful, connected, and mysterious Ghislaine Maxwell, who was once the heiress to the Maxwell fortune but whose life is rocked by a series of scandals and accusations when she meets Jeffrey Epstein, the serial sex offender. The series will untangle the complicated story of power, sex, and money, leading to Ghislaine Maxwell’s arrest and pointing to her upcoming trial.”
Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell is directed by Barbara Shearer, while the executive producers are Jennifer Harkness, Emma Cooper,...
Blue Ant Studios will produce Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell, which will premiere on NBCUniversal-owned Peacock on June 24 before landing on Comcast-owned Sky on June 28 in the UK. It will be titled Ghislaine Maxwell: Epstein’s Shadow in the UK.
Here’s the logline: “The three-hour documentary investigates the powerful, connected, and mysterious Ghislaine Maxwell, who was once the heiress to the Maxwell fortune but whose life is rocked by a series of scandals and accusations when she meets Jeffrey Epstein, the serial sex offender. The series will untangle the complicated story of power, sex, and money, leading to Ghislaine Maxwell’s arrest and pointing to her upcoming trial.”
Epstein’s Shadow: Ghislaine Maxwell is directed by Barbara Shearer, while the executive producers are Jennifer Harkness, Emma Cooper,...
- 5/26/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast-backed pay-tv operator Sky has promoted director of program strategy Jamie Morris to director of programs, effectively making him the deputy to Zai Bennett, managing director of content for the U.K. and Ireland.
In his his new role, Morris will assume responsibility for commissioning and acquiring content alongside Bennett and the genre directors at Sky. Morris led on the set up of and commissioning for the Sky factual channels before Poppy Dixon, director of factual, joined last year. He will retain responsibility for scheduling and overall program strategy across Sky’s portfolio of channels.
“As our portfolio of services has grown, in large part driven by Jamie, we now originate in all the key genres,” Bennett said in an internal note to staff, seen by Variety. “Jamie and his team perform a pivotal role in designing and managing the individual content brands and his insight in to what...
In his his new role, Morris will assume responsibility for commissioning and acquiring content alongside Bennett and the genre directors at Sky. Morris led on the set up of and commissioning for the Sky factual channels before Poppy Dixon, director of factual, joined last year. He will retain responsibility for scheduling and overall program strategy across Sky’s portfolio of channels.
“As our portfolio of services has grown, in large part driven by Jamie, we now originate in all the key genres,” Bennett said in an internal note to staff, seen by Variety. “Jamie and his team perform a pivotal role in designing and managing the individual content brands and his insight in to what...
- 3/26/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
An all-female team, including investigative journalist Lucy Osborne, is producing a documentary series that reveals how the modelling industry has facilitated and validated endemic sexual abuse for decades.
The series is based on a long-running investigation by Osborne and U.K. newspaper the Guardian, and is led by a combined unit including executive producers Jacqueline Edenbrow, Samantha Anstiss and Rebecca Templar. The U.K.’s Wonderhood Studios (“Trump in Tweets”) and the Guardian had been developing separate projects covering the same subject for several months before coming together last year to collaborate.
The three-part series will also shine a spotlight on how the allure and practices of the industry were able to facilitate abuse that often saw predators operating in plain sight. It will interweave personal testimonies and archive footage, covering locations in America and Europe.
The as yet untitled Sky original series has been commissioned for Sky Documentaries by Zai Bennett,...
The series is based on a long-running investigation by Osborne and U.K. newspaper the Guardian, and is led by a combined unit including executive producers Jacqueline Edenbrow, Samantha Anstiss and Rebecca Templar. The U.K.’s Wonderhood Studios (“Trump in Tweets”) and the Guardian had been developing separate projects covering the same subject for several months before coming together last year to collaborate.
The three-part series will also shine a spotlight on how the allure and practices of the industry were able to facilitate abuse that often saw predators operating in plain sight. It will interweave personal testimonies and archive footage, covering locations in America and Europe.
The as yet untitled Sky original series has been commissioned for Sky Documentaries by Zai Bennett,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Hillary Clinton’s HiddenLight Lands YouTube Series
HiddenLight Productions, the producer set up by Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and Sam Branson, has landed a YouTube Original series. Titled If I Could Tell You Just One Thing, the four-part series will follow British YouTuber Patricia Bright as she holds conversations with inspirational women about the stories and experiences that have shaped their own lives. A pilot episode premiered in 2019, hosted by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and featuring women including Simone Biles and Awkwafina. The UK series is executive produced by Johnny Webb and Nick Betts at HiddenLight.
Sky Hires BBC & Channel 4 Docs Commissioners
Sky has bolstered its documentary team with the addition of commissioning editor Hayley Reynolds and assistant commissioning editor Janine Thomas. Reynolds joins from the BBC, where she has helped oversee docs strand Storyville for the past three years. Thomas arrives at Sky from Channel 4, where she has worked for more than six years,...
HiddenLight Productions, the producer set up by Hillary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton, and Sam Branson, has landed a YouTube Original series. Titled If I Could Tell You Just One Thing, the four-part series will follow British YouTuber Patricia Bright as she holds conversations with inspirational women about the stories and experiences that have shaped their own lives. A pilot episode premiered in 2019, hosted by Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and featuring women including Simone Biles and Awkwafina. The UK series is executive produced by Johnny Webb and Nick Betts at HiddenLight.
Sky Hires BBC & Channel 4 Docs Commissioners
Sky has bolstered its documentary team with the addition of commissioning editor Hayley Reynolds and assistant commissioning editor Janine Thomas. Reynolds joins from the BBC, where she has helped oversee docs strand Storyville for the past three years. Thomas arrives at Sky from Channel 4, where she has worked for more than six years,...
- 2/3/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix will be the North American streaming home for the Sundance documentary “Misha and the Wolves,” MetFilm Sales was announced on Monday.
In addition, Netflix will debut the film exclusively in North America and several other markets — a licensing deal that was brokered before the Sundance Film Festival.
Also on board to stream the film overseas are BBC Storyville (UK), Zdf Arte (Germany & France), Vpro (the Netherlands), Vrt (Belgium), Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Nrk (Norway), Yle (Finland), Ruv (Iceland), Movistar+ (Spain), Yes Docu (Israel), Rts (Switzerland), Rtvs (Slovenia), Ert (Greece), and TG4 (Ireland).
“The number of deals attests to the buyers’ appetite for great stories and sophisticated filmmaking that has the power to reach large global audience. We are excited for what lies ahead for this film,” Vesna Cudic, MetFilm Sales said in a statement.
The story follows a woman whose holocaust memoir took the world by storm but who...
In addition, Netflix will debut the film exclusively in North America and several other markets — a licensing deal that was brokered before the Sundance Film Festival.
Also on board to stream the film overseas are BBC Storyville (UK), Zdf Arte (Germany & France), Vpro (the Netherlands), Vrt (Belgium), Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Nrk (Norway), Yle (Finland), Ruv (Iceland), Movistar+ (Spain), Yes Docu (Israel), Rts (Switzerland), Rtvs (Slovenia), Ert (Greece), and TG4 (Ireland).
“The number of deals attests to the buyers’ appetite for great stories and sophisticated filmmaking that has the power to reach large global audience. We are excited for what lies ahead for this film,” Vesna Cudic, MetFilm Sales said in a statement.
The story follows a woman whose holocaust memoir took the world by storm but who...
- 2/1/2021
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
MetFilms has announced a series of distribution deals for the Holocaust documentary Misha and the Wolves which made its world premiere in the Sundance World Documentary competition on Sunday.
The film, directed by Sam Hobkinson, follows a woman whose Holocaust memoir takes the world by storm. However, a fallout with her publisher-turned-detective reveals her story as an audacious deception created to hide a darker truth.
Netflix picked up the global SVOD window prior to the festival, and will carry the film exclusively in North America and other markets. The pic will not be one of the streamer’s branded documentaries. In addition, on board are BBC Storyville (UK), Zdf Arte (Germany & France), Vpro (the Netherlands), Vrt (Belgium), Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Nrk (Norway), Yle (Finland), Ruv (Iceland), Movistar+ (Spain), Yes Docu (Israel), Rts (Switzerland), Rtvs (Slovenia), Ert (Greece), and TG4 (Ireland).
Said Vesna Cudic of MetFilm Sales, “The number of...
The film, directed by Sam Hobkinson, follows a woman whose Holocaust memoir takes the world by storm. However, a fallout with her publisher-turned-detective reveals her story as an audacious deception created to hide a darker truth.
Netflix picked up the global SVOD window prior to the festival, and will carry the film exclusively in North America and other markets. The pic will not be one of the streamer’s branded documentaries. In addition, on board are BBC Storyville (UK), Zdf Arte (Germany & France), Vpro (the Netherlands), Vrt (Belgium), Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Nrk (Norway), Yle (Finland), Ruv (Iceland), Movistar+ (Spain), Yes Docu (Israel), Rts (Switzerland), Rtvs (Slovenia), Ert (Greece), and TG4 (Ireland).
Said Vesna Cudic of MetFilm Sales, “The number of...
- 2/1/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The gripping Sundance documentary Misha and the Wolves, premiering at the festival today, possesses a fairy tale-like quality, beginning with its title. Those four words evoke ancient stories of children deep in the woods, threatened by menacing animals, as in Little Red Riding Hood.
The similarities go further. The documentary tells the story of Misha Defonseca, a woman living inMassachusetts who purported to be a Holocaust survivor. She told neighbors a remarkable tale of growing up a young Jewish girl in Belgium during the war, saying she was secreted with a Catholic family after her parents were deported. She said her foster parents hated her.
Desperate to reunite with her mother and father, she told of setting out on foot for Germany, with little more than a compass and a knife, keeping to the woods. On her way she encountered a female wolf,...
The similarities go further. The documentary tells the story of Misha Defonseca, a woman living inMassachusetts who purported to be a Holocaust survivor. She told neighbors a remarkable tale of growing up a young Jewish girl in Belgium during the war, saying she was secreted with a Catholic family after her parents were deported. She said her foster parents hated her.
Desperate to reunite with her mother and father, she told of setting out on foot for Germany, with little more than a compass and a knife, keeping to the woods. On her way she encountered a female wolf,...
- 1/31/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
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