Category: Documentary

Jeff Bridges Narrated Documentary ‘In the Company of Wolves: An American Journey’ Showing Now Through July 2 In NY and LA

The Jeff Bridges narrated documentary In The Company of Wolves: An American Journey from award-winning filmmaker Susan Kucera is showing now in New York City And Los Angeles.

https://www.laemmle.com/film/company-wolves-american-journey

https://www.cinemavillage.com/Now-Playing/in-the-company-of-wolves-an-american-journey.html

The film, the third collaboration for Kucera and Bridges, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2026 at the Olympia Theater. It will be available on video on demand (TVOD) beginning July 17, 2026.

Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges narrates the stunning journey of wolves and other animals as co-travelers through American history. From the shores of England to the birth of the New Republic, and ultimately the colonization of the vast landscapes of the modern American West, this film reveals how our complicated relationship with wolves shaped our ideas, our folklore, and our sense of nationhood, altering the course of American history as profoundly as any human hand. 

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Susan Kucera (Living in The Future’s Past, Breath of Life, Hot Money) and Executive Produced by Jim Swift (Hot Money, Breath of Life, Living in Future’s Past). Featuring in-depth commentary from members of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and Crow Nation, leading historians, and best-selling author Michelle Paver, whose Wolf Brothers series has sold over 3 million copies worldwide, the film offers a richly layered perspective on the American story with an evocative original score by Keefus Ciancia (True Detective, Living in The Future’s Past).

KTLA Interview: https://ktla.com/video/in-the-company-of-wolves-an-american-journey-now-playing-at-laemmle-santa-monica-film-center/11923417/

Filmmaker Susan Kucera says, “I think this film stands apart because it reframes the American mythos—moving beyond human ambition to the deeper relationships that shaped the land, and in turn, the nation itself.”

Jeff Bridges on the film, “It reminds us that the wild and the domesticated have always reflected the deeper story of who we are as a nation — and who we might yet become.”  Bridges is using this venture to support several conservation organizations with his compensation, including The Vital Ground Foundation, a land trust that directly protects and connects wildlife habitat in the Northern Rocky Mountains.

Other key participants include author Michelle Paver (Wolf Brothers book series), international best-selling science writer David Quammen (Outside, National Geographic), Professor Jon Coleman (Notre Dame University, author of Vicious: Wolves and Men in America), Native American ecologist and author Cristina Eisenberg, Eastern Shoshone conservationist Jason Baldes (Intertribal Buffalo Council, Conservation Lands Foundation, and Cameron Krebs (4th generation sheep rancher).

https://www.inthecompanyofwolvesfilm.com

Eddie Murphy Alert! Watch The Trailer For The BEING EDDIE Documentary

Eddie Murphy. Cr. Mark Seliger

“There is no one else like him. Nobody. He’s been famous longer than just about anyone alive, and he’s never lost who he is.” – director and two-time Oscar winner Angus Wall.

For those of us who grew up in the 1980’s listening, on cassette, to Eddie Murphy – there was nothing else like it. RAW and DELIRIOUS was and still is COMEDY GOLD. Decades later, so many of his phrases are just as repeatable and memorable as they were in 1983 and 1987.

From stand-up prodigy and Saturday Night Live phenom to beloved Hollywood icon, Being Eddie chronicles the extraordinary life and legacy of the genre-defying star through exclusive interviews with Murphy himself and his comedy peers, offering an intimate portrait of this once-in-a-generation talent.

But wait… there’s more. Check out his hit “Party All The Time”!

It goes without saying that there is only one Eddie Murphy. No other teen comedian shared a stage with Jerry Seinfeld at 17, and joined the cast of Saturday Night Live right out of high school. No actor has ever played a cop, a doctor, and a donkey — and dominated every facet of Hollywood he’s touched. Fewer still have been an A-list celebrity for over four decades, and never succumbed to its darker side. Murphy’s unusual combination of explosive charisma, focused ambition, raw talent, and deep-set circumspection puts him in a league of his own, and is on full display in Being Eddie, directed by two-time Oscar® winner Angus Wall.

The documentary gathers comedy and Hollywood legends like Dave Chappelle, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jamie Foxx, Jerry Seinfeld, Reginald Hudlin and more to celebrate the Oscar®-nominated actor and his nearly 50-year career that’s seen him break barriers, invent genres, and inspire generations of talent. For the first time ever, Murphy invites the public into his home to revisit his breathtaking body of work, all the while revealing the dazzling interior life that has long driven — and grounded — this once-in-a-century star.

Being Eddie premieres on Netflix Nov. 12.

https://www.netflix.com/title/81094163

Being Eddie. Eddie Murphy. Cr. ©2025 Eddie Murphy/Courtesy of Netflix.

JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY Premieres July 10 On National Geographic As Crown Jewel Of This Summer’s SHARKFEST

National Geographic’s SHARKFEST wouldn’t exist without the film that changed cinema—and our relationship with sharks—forever: “Jaws.” This summer, in tribute to the movie that sparked a lasting fascination with the ocean’s most misunderstood predator, National Geographic goes behind the scenes of the legendary blockbuster with JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau (“Faye,” “Music by John Williams”), the 90-minute documentary takes viewers on the ultimate deep dive, from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to the cinematic phenomenon that is “Jaws” and how the film continues to ripple through pop culture, cinema and shark conservation to this day. You may think you know the full story of “Jaws”—but not until now.

JAWS @ 50 hails from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films, in partnership with Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling, and is this summer’s only authorized documentary on the making of “Jaws,” with the award-winning director himself diving back into the story that launched his career and earned him final cut on the film, a creative control he has maintained for the last 50 years. The documentary premieres July 10 at 9/8c on National Geographic and streams the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.

This definitive account offers an unfiltered look at the chaos and creativity behind the making of “Jaws,” featuring never-before-seen footage from Spielberg’s and Benchley’s personal archives, including home videos and rare outtakes. Through candid new reflections, Spielberg recounts the high-stakes production, from battling a malfunctioning mechanical shark and relentless weather delays to his own post-production PTSD and fears the film would end his career. The documentary also reexamines the infamous “Jaws effect”—the wave of shark fear it unleashed—and reframes it as a legacy of awe, curiosity and enduring respect for the ocean’s top predator. Complemented by brand-new interviews with cast, crew, filmmakers and shark advocates, JAWS @ 50 captures the full creative and cultural shockwaves of the first summer blockbuster.

In addition to Steven Spielberg, the documentary includes exclusive interviews from original cast and crew—including Joe Alves (production designer), Jonathan Filley (Cassidy), Lorraine Gary (Ellen Brody), Carl Gottlieb (Meadows, screenwriter), Jeffrey Kramer (Hendricks), Ian Shaw (son of Robert Shaw, who played Quint), Jeffrey Voorhees (Alex Kintner), and composer John Williams—and a who’s who of modern filmmakers and superfans—including J.J. Abrams, Emily Blunt, James Cameron, Cameron Crowe, George Lucas, Greg Nicotero, Jordan Peele, Steven Soderbergh, Guillermo del Toro, Robert Zemeckis, and more—reflect on how “Jaws” shaped their work and the cinematic landscape.

Alongside cast and crew, the film also features heartfelt insights from Peter Benchley’s wife, renowned voice for sharks and ocean policy advocate Wendy Benchley; their children, Tracy Benchley Turner and Clayton Benchley; and his brother, Nat Benchley, offering a rare glimpse into the real-life inspiration behind the bestselling novel that started it all.

But JAWS @ 50 is more than a behind-the-scenes doc; it’s a celebration of a legacy that fueled a global shark obsession and inspired generations of scientists, storytellers and ocean defenders. Through thoughtful conversations with leading marine advocates and scientists—including Philippe Cousteau, Candace Fields, Austin Gallagher, Gibbs Kuguru, Dr. John Mandelman (New England Aquarium), National Geographic Explorer and photographer Brian Skerry, Dr. Greg Skomal and others—the documentary explores how “Jaws” reshaped our relationship with the ocean and helped transform public perception of sharks, turning fear into fascination and sparking real-world conservation efforts that continue today.

For National Geographic, JAWS @ 50: THE DEFINITIVE INSIDE STORY is produced by Amblin Documentaries and Nedland Films. For Amblin Documentaries, Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey are producers. For Nedland Films, Laurent Bouzereau and Markus Keith are producers, with Bouzereau also directing. Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling executive produce the documentary. And, for National Geographic, Tracy Rudolph Jackson and Ted Duvall executive produce.

Laura Dern, Annette Bening, Paul Water Hauser, DeWanda Wise, Michael C Hall, Common Featured In BEHIND THE LINES Documentary

Sypher Studios and Lon Haber & Co announce the AFM World Market Premiere and first-look footage of the new feature documentary, Behind the Lines, based on the New York Times bestselling book of the same name by the renowned historian Andrew Carroll. The film follows Carroll’s decades-long journey, including into active war zones, to find “the most extraordinary war letters ever written” from the American Revolution to the present day. Behind the Lines differs from other war letters-related films in that it includes correspondences from the home front as well as by civilians who are literally “caught in the crossfire.” 

Narrated by Annette Bening, the film features on-screen letter-performances by a star-studded cast including Laura Dern, Michael C. Hall, Paul Walter Hauser, Common, DeWanda Wise, Gary Cole, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and many more. Directed by first-time feature director John B. Benitz and written by Andrew Carroll, John B. Benitz, and Bryce Cyrier. Producers include Jason Pamer, Jens Jacob, Bryce Cyrier, John B. Benitz, and Andrew Carroll. Executive producers include Kerry Patton and David Lopez.

The talented, international and diverse star-studded ensemble cast includes, in order of appearance, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Abigail Cowen, Dylan Sprouse, Monique Edwards, Michael C. Hall, Garrett Schweighauser, Gary Cole, Thurn Hoffman, Jay Lee, Laura Dern, Sandra Seacat, Richard T. Jones, Rachel Bloom, Chase Cargill, Paul Walter Hauser, Kathleen Goff, Erick Lopez, Darwin Shaw, Jörg Witte, Takuya Iba, Wes Studi, Eliza Bennett, DeWanda Wise, Piotr Brozda, and Genia Michaela.

Behind the Lines was one of six finalists of the coveted Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Filmwhich recognizes exemplary documentary films that tell compelling stories about American history. 

“We’re thrilled and honored to be working with the stellar cast and crew of Behind the Lines and to be able to introduce such a profoundly meaningful film to the global marketplace at the American Film Market (AFM) at a time when it is essential that stories like these are told. Behind the Lines is a rare gem that offers a first-hand, well-rounded glimpse into the personal dynamics of war and the far-ranging ripple effects it has on everyone, all over the world,” said Lon Haber, Founder of Lon Haber & Co – IPPR, who is presenting the film to buyers at AFM for the very first time. “Behind the Lines is a commercially viable product with heart, that stays true to its artistic and historic integrity, and one to which audiences from every corner of the globe can relate,” Haber continued.

“Instead of merely focusing on the wars, Behind the Lines delves into the humanity of all who serve and those connected to them with first-hand accounts spanning two and half centuries that range from heart-wrenching to heart-warming and even comedic, depicting what it’s like for those on the frontlines and their families at home on a daily basis,” said producer Jason Pamer. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of this film and how it emphasizes the service and sacrifice of our troops, our veterans, and their families. And we have so many letters and emails that I think this film could be the kick-off to a whole series in which every episode focuses on a single topic or story,” said writer and film subject Andrew Carroll.   

“This personal and emotional journey into the war experience uncovers in stark reality our worst impulses but also the secrets of our shared humanity offering hope, understanding and perhaps even compassion and reconciliation in these divisive times,” said director John B. Benitz. 

Sypher Studios is repped by Neil Sacker at Sacker Entertainment Law. 

Apple Original Films Unveils Trailer For Documentary GIRLS STATE – Premieres on Apple TV+ April 5

Today, Apple Original Films unveiled the trailer for its critically acclaimed documentary feature “Girls State,” directed and produced by award-winning filmmakers Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine (“Boys State,” “The Mission”), and Academy Award winner Davis Guggenheim’s Concordia Studio. A 2024 Sundance Film Festival selection, “Girls State” will premiere globally on Apple TV+ April 5, 2024.

After the widely celebrated, Emmy Award-winning documentary “Boys State,” also produced by Moss, McBaine and Concordia, made its buzzy premiere at Sundance in 2020, the inevitable question arose: What about Girls State? “Girls State” follows 500 teenage girls from across Missouri as they gather for a week-long immersion in an elaborate laboratory of democracy, where they build a government from the ground up, campaign for office and form a Supreme Court to weigh the most divisive issues of the day. In “Girls State,” the country is now deeper into democratic crisis, with civil discourse and electoral politics increasingly fragile under ever more extreme political polarization. As questions of race and gender equality in a representational democracy reach a fever pitch, these young women confront the complicated paths women must navigate to build political power. Following a distinctly female perspective and filled with teenage insecurity, biting humor and a yearning for true friendship, the young leaders of “Girls State” win hearts and minds — not just elections.

An Apple Original Film hailing from Guggenheims’s Concordia Studio and Mile End Films, “Girls State” is directed and produced by Moss and McBaine. The film is executive produced by Nicole Stott, Jonathan Silberberg, Davis Guggenheim and Laurene Powell Jobs.

SUPERPOWERED: THE DC STORY, A Three-Part Max Original DC Documentary Series Debuts July 20

SUPERPOWERED: THE DC STORY, a three-part Max Original DC documentary series co-directed by Academy Award® and Emmy®-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks (“100 Years of Warner Bros.,” “The Imagineering Story”) and Peabody Award®-winning and Emmy®-nominated filmmaker Mark Catalena (“Johnny Carson: King of Late Night,” “Inventing LA: The Chandlers and Their Times”), debuts THURSDAY, JULY 20 on Max.

Narrated by Rosario Dawson, SUPERPOWERED: THE DC STORY takes an unprecedented look at the enduring and influential legacy of DC, allowing fans to rediscover the universe of characters, as well as the iconic comic book company’s origins, its evolution and its nearly nine-decade cultural impact across every artistic medium. Featuring a wealth of interviews with the industry’s most prolific creators and the actors who bring their iconic characters from the page to the screen, SUPERPOWERED: THE DC STORY reminds us that at the heart of DC are the comics – the four-color fantasies that forever spark the imagination and instill hope.

Episodes:

  • EPISODE 1: THE HERO’S JOURNEY
    For over 85 years, DC has been home to a universe of iconic characters and unparalleled storytelling, but its origins began with the brilliant minds who created a Super Hero trinity: Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. From survival to revival, DC navigates the birth of the sidekick, parental concerns after WWII, and a corporate takeover amid a struggle to stay current.
  • EPISODE 2: COMING OF AGE
    During a period of declining comic book sales, a bold move resets DC’s entire universe, as the company decides to also take a gamble on a new Superman movie. While rivals begin to address pressing social issues, a determined DC introduces their first Black Super Hero and breaks story boundaries under their new imprint, Vertigo Comics, with the hopes of maturing comic books into an everlasting adult art form.
  • EPISODE 3: A BETTER TOMORROW
    Tired of being left out of the conversation, a group of diverse creators form Milestone Media to give voice to marginalized characters and stories born out of their own experiences. After more than eight decades of history, DC visionaries look toward a future that is representative of all in their ever-expanding universe. 

It was announced on Tuesday that Gunn and producer Peter Safran had found their Superman and Lois Lane. The Hollywood Reporter writes: “After a lengthy search, David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan will star in SUPERMAN: LEGACY, the film that will launch DC’s new universe.”

SUPERMAN: LEGACY has a release date of July 11, 2025, with Gunn expecting to film early next year. 

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/superman-legacy-cast-david-corenswet-rachel-brosnahan-1235358907/

The docuseries features over 60 new and archival interviews with the industry’s most prolific creators, actors and executives, including: Melissa Benoist, Greg Berlanti, Tim Burton, Mike Carlin, Lynda Carter, Henry Cavill, Kaley Cuoco, Gal Gadot, James Gunn, Patty Jenkins, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Keaton, Regina King, Zoë Kravitz, Jim Lee, Zachary Levi, Damon Lindelof, Tom Mankiewicz, Jason Momoa, Christopher Nolan, Robert Pattinson, Christopher Reeve, John Ridley, Margot Robbie, Bruce Timm, Michael E. Uslan and Mark Waid, among others.

SUPERPOWERED: THE DC STORY is produced by Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Warner Horizon, DC, Berlanti Productions and Iwerks & Co. The docuseries is executive produced by showrunner Leslie Iwerks, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden, Jim Lee and Doug Prinzivalli, with co-executive-producers Mark Catalena, Rachael Jerahian, Jonathan Gabay and Adam Schlagman. The series is co-directed by Iwerks and Catalena.

Elton John Documentary “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: The Final Elton John Performances and The Years That Made His Legend” Coming To Disney Plus

Disney Original Documentary and Disney+ announced today the feature documentary “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road: The Final Elton John Performances and The Years That Made His Legend.” From Academy Award-nominee R.J. Cutler and filmmaker David Furnish, the documentary will serve as the official feature on Elton John, comprised of unseen concert footage of him over the past 50 years, hand-written journals and present-day footage of him and his family. Following a robust festival run and limited theatrical release, the film will be available exclusively on Disney+.

Rooted in Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour,” the feature documentary film will capture Elton John’s final months on the road, culminating in what promises to be one of the greatest send-offs in rock-and-roll history when John performs his final North American show at Dodger Stadium this upcoming November. The film will also look back at the extraordinary first five years of John’s career when, between 1970 and 1975, he released 10 iconic albums, seven of which went to No. 1 on the Billboard charts and became a global phenomenon.

“There are no superlatives left to describe Elton John and his impact on music and culture — he’s simply unrivaled,” said Bob Chapek, CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “Like a good Disney story, Elton’s music has both universal appeal and the ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. He has been part of the Disney family since 1994 when he helped make ‘The Lion King’ an instant classic, and we could not be more excited to collaborate with him on this new documentary.”

“Working with R.J. Cutler and David Furnish on what will undoubtedly become the definitional film about the iconic Elton John is a great honor,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television. “Their incredible vision and intimate access to exclusive, never-before-seen anecdotes and footage will provide the deepest, most captivating insight yet into one of the world’s most beloved and prolific artists.”

With exclusive new interviews and performance clips from Madison Square Garden, London and other performance venues, the film will be the definitive portrait of one of the world’s most successful musical artists of all time, who has inspired multiple generations of audiences and musicians. In addition to directing, R.J. Cutler will also produce the film under his company, This Machine Filmworks, as will David Furnish, who will produce under his and Elton John’s formed Rocket Entertainment. Trevor Smith will also serve as producer. Joining as executive producers are John Battsek, Jane Cha Cutler and Elise Pearlstein.

“What a thrill and an honor it is that David Furnish and I get to create this intimate and unique look at one of the world’s most celebrated artists,” said director and producer R.J. Cutler. “As it has for so many others, Elton John’s music has had deep meaning for me for decades, and this opportunity is nothing short of a career highlight and privilege.”

Director and producer David Furnish says, “Elton and I could not think of a better collaborator than R.J. Cutler for a film that represents more than just Elton’s career — it’s his life. From the Troubadour to Dodger Stadium, we knew that R.J. would help guide Elton’s story and its many layers in a way that feels authentic and evocative. We’re ecstatic to be working together.”

R.J. Cutler is an award-winning filmmaker who has made some of the most significant documentaries and television series of the past quarter century. He is the director, producer and writer of four-time Emmy®-nominated and Oscar®-shortlisted feature documentary “Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” about music sensation Billie Eilish. His additional feature documentary credits include Critics’ Choice Award-nominated “BELUSHI,” Oscar-nominated “The War Room,” Emmy-nominated “A Perfect Candidate,” the Sundance Award-winning “The September Issue,” the Peabody Award-winning and Oscar-shortlisted “Listen to Me Marlon,” the Grierson Award-winning “Thin” and “The World According to Dick Cheney.”

Submarine’s Josh Braun negotiated the deal with Disney. Danny Passman of Gang, Tyre, Ramen, Brown & Passman, Inc. represented Rocket Pictures. Marisa Fermin and Sarah Santos represented This Machine Filmworks. Jeanne Newman of Hansen, Jacobson, Teller, Hoberman, Newman, Warren, Richman, Rush, Kaller, Gellman, Meigs & Fox represented R.J. Cutler.

R.J. Cutler and David Furnish are directing and producing under their respective production companies, This Machine Filmworks and Rocket Entertainment. Trevor Smith is also producer. Executive producers are John Battsek, Jane Cha Cutler and Elise Pearlstein. Marjon Javadi is VP, Originals for Documentaries and Docuseries for Disney Branded Television/Disney Original Documentary.

Sci-fi Documentary A TEAR IN THE SKY With William Shatner Releasing May 3 – Watch The Trailer For The UFO/UAP Phenomenon Film

1091 Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to Caroline Cory’s documentary A Tear in the Sky. Written, directed, and produced by Caroline Cory, A Tear in the Sky features William Shatner, Michio Kaku, Travis Taylor, Caroline Cory, Kevin Day, Gary Voorhis, and Kevin Knuth. The film will be available to rent and own worldwide on digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms through 1091 Pictures on May 3, 2022.

https://www.atearinthesky.com/

This award-winning documentary A Tear in the Sky takes you on an unprecedented journey into the UFO / UAP phenomenon. A team of military personnel, scientists and special guest William Shatner will attempt to re-capture, in real time, the US Navy “TicTac” UFOs and other space anomalies, using state-of-the-art, military-grade equipment and technology. What they find instead are thought-provoking clues into the true nature of the UFO phenomenon and the very fabric of our spacetime reality.

The UFO / UAP subject has been around for decades, however lacking credibility and acceptance from society in general and certainly the establishment. It wasn’t until 2017, when the New York Times came out with an article featuring three leaked videos from the US Navy taken by military servicemen, that defied explanation, that the conversation began to shift.

The Navy and the Pentagon eventually confirmed the veracity of these sightings and Senator Reid and Senator Rubio prompted Congress to investigate these events and publish an official report on their findings, the “UAP Report”, which turned out to be inconclusive.

The filmmakers felt it was time to take it upon themselves to investigate the subject from a new scientific perspective by teaming up with scientists and experts in an attempt to capture these anomalous objects themselves and offer the public some real answers. 

The film features William Shatner and Prof. Michio Kaku Ph.D, world-renowned physicist and best selling author who offer fascinating insight on the phenomenon and Kevin Knuth, Ph.D., Associate Chair in Physics and Matthew Szydagis, Ph.D. Associate Professor at the University of Albany who carry out the investigation.

The film has already won multiple awards and official selections for “Best Documentary” including The Malibu Film Festival, The LA Film Awards, The New York Film Awards and The New Media Film Festival.
 
“I am very proud and excited to be the first filmmaker to film a large-scale, real-life scientific expedition of UFOs and space anomalies, using military-grade, state-of-the-art equipment and academic methodologies to study the data and the phenomenon,” said Caroline Cory. “Working with William Shatner was phenomenal, and the hundreds of hours of data that we have collected during the filming, which will be released publicly along a university research paper for peer-review, has now made history beyond any government or organizations investigating the subject. I’m looking forward to seeing the results of our hard work. This is all so very exciting!”
 
“A Tear in the Sky was hands down the most unique filming experience of my life. The challenges of working unscripted with the most renowned UAP scientists in the world, top secret military-grade scientific equipment, and William Shatner made every day a new unpredictable adventure! I am excited for everyone to see what we found!” said Lenny Vitulli, Director of Photography. “We’re excited to be joining forces with Caroline Cory on her new documentary A Tear in the Sky. The film is the first of its kind and will show the public what’s really happening in our skies with UFOs,” said Jim Martin, head of paranormal acquisitions for 1091 Pictures.

Check Out The Trailer And Poster For The Documentary BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER

Shout! Studios has announced today their acquisition of North American distribution rights to BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER. This captivating new documentary sheds light on William Henry Pratt (better known by his stage name, Boris Karloff) as Hollywood’s master of menace, as well as his films, his legend and the fears that haunted him through his life.

Abramorama will release the film in theaters on September 17th.

Karloff is best known for his role as “The Monster” in the classic horror films Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Son of Frankenstein (1939). This documentary examines his extraordinary 60-year career in the entertainment industry, as well as his continuing influence as a horror icon.

Directed by Thomas Hamilton (Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn) and co-produced and co-written by Ron MacCloskey, the film provides a riveting depiction of Karloff and the genre he helped define through exclusive interviews with his daughter, Sarah Karloff, and filmmakers he influenced, including Peter Bogdanovich, Guillermo del Toro, Christopher Plummer, John Landis, Roger Corman and Kevin Brownlow. 

The film also features the original song “Frankenstein’s Lament” by famed jazz bassist Jay Leonhart.

https://www.themanbehindthemonster.com/

“In Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster, audiences will be taken on a journey through Boris Karloff’s life and career. They will discover the secrets of the man, the struggles and triumphs of his career, as well as the surprising twists it took, and hear direct testimony from the man himself and those who were closest,” stated director Thomas Hamilton. “Additionally, we chart the rise of one of the most durable of Hollywood genres, the horror film, and provide fresh perspectives on the peculiar power that these films retain, 90 years after they were made.”

“Thomas and Ron have done a first-class job of telling the story of Boris Karloff’s life. I was a ‘monster kid’–my brother and I were obsessed with them, Frankenstein and The Mummy most of all–so I consider it a privilege and high honor to help bring Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster out into the world,” said Abramorama’s CEO, Richard Abramowitz.

“The timing seems perfect to release a documentary about the heralded actor Boris Karloff. His legacy continues to grow and in keeping with Shout! Studios’ focus in perpetuating such legacies, we are thrilled to introduce this documentary to an audience that can once again celebrate Mr. Karloff’s iconic status,” said Mark Balsam from Shout! Studios.

BORIS KARLOFF: THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER (USA, approximately 90 minutes, English). Voltage Films LTD Tribute Promotions & Abramorama in Association with Shout! Studios “Boris Karloff: The Man Behind The Monster.” Sara Karloff, Guillermo del Toro, Ron Perlman, Stefanie Powers, Christopher Plummer, Peter Bogdanovich, John Landis, Lee Grant, Joe Dante, Roger Corman, Norman Jewison, David J. Skal, Gregory W. Mank. Narration by Michael Jarmus. Music by Laura Forrest Hay. Original Song by Jay Leonart. Edited by Anuree de Silva. Director of Photography Bruce Heinsius. Post-Production by TVC Soho. Sound Mixing by Stephen O’Toole. Coloring by Marty Webb. Online Editing by Ian Mander. Executive Produced by Eric Bond Hutton, Tracy Jenkins, Richard Abramowitz. Produced by Thomas Hamilton, Ron MacCloskey. Script by Ron MacCloskey & Thomas Hamilton. Directed by Thomas Hamilton. An Abramorama and Shout! Studios theatrical release.

Watch Underwater Filmmaker Valerie Taylor In Trailer For PLAYING WITH SHARKS – Premieres on Disney Plus Friday, July 23

“There is a creature alive today which has survived millions of years of evolution…without change, without passion, without logic. It lives to kill. A mindless eating machine, it will attack and devour anything. Try to imagine meeting the Devil…with JAWS.” – JAWS trailer

Ron and Valerie Taylor are the only names that come to mind when you think of the real shark footage in Steven Spielberg’s Summer Blockbuster JAWS. The film was released on an unsuspecting public June 1975 and the horrifying images of the film instilled fear into beachgoers that summer along with the phrase “See it before you go swimming.” The Taylors were synonymous with real shark footage and worked on other ocean themed movies such as ORCA, JAWS 2, and THE BLUE LAGOON.

Valerie’s late husband Ron’s cinematography and exquisite compositions have certainly stood the test of time. From the birth of scuba with colorful retro bikinis and weight belts to the do-it-yourself Australian attitude inherent in how the Taylors worked, audiences will delight in unheard-of behind-the-scenes stories making the “Jaws” blockbuster and the early footage of Spielberg and his iconic film. What is dramatic is the subsequent U-turn that Valerie, her husband Ron and “Jaws” author Peter Benchley took to redeeming sharks’ “PR problem.”

Valerie repeatedly put herself on the front line to prove sharks were not out to get humans, including the astonishing idea of making herself shark bait and changing scientific understanding in the process. Valerie’s culpability in the devastating fallout from “Jaws” for the creatures she so admired means we cheer her on in trying to atone for her involvement. It is little wonder her efforts become the first shark conservation in the world and a model for so many.

Today, Disney+ revealed the official trailer and poster for “Playing with Sharks” from National Geographic Documentary Films.  A true pioneer in both underwater filmmaking and shark research, Valerie Taylor is a living legend and icon in the underwater world whose life’s work has become the basis for much of what we know about sharks today. Through remarkable underwater archival footage, along with interviews with Valerie herself, “Playing with Sharks,” from twice Emmy®-nominated director Sally Aitken, follows this daring ocean explorer’s trajectory from champion spearfisher to passionate shark protector. From the birth of cage diving to “Jaws” hysteria to the dawn of cageless shark diving, Valerie became a trailblazing advocate for the ocean’s most maligned and misunderstood creatures.

The documentary, which is a part of National Geographic’s Sharkfest slate, premieres on Disney+ on Friday, July 23.

“Playing with Sharks” is created and produced by Bettina Dalton, WildBear Entertainment, and written and directed by Sally Aitken. It is executive produced by Alan Erson for WildBear; Anna Godas and Oli Harbottle for TDog; and Paul Wiegard for Madman Entertainment. A WildBear Entertainment production, with principal production investment and development support from Screen Australia, it is developed and financed with the assistance of Screen NSW.