Magnolia Takes US Rights to Kevin Macdonald’s ‘Marley’

By FIN Staff / 2 comments

(PRESS RELEASE) New York – February 6, 2012 – The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnolia Pictures announced today they have acquired US rights to MARLEY, the definitive documentary about legendary musician Bob Marley, directed by Academy Award-winner Kevin Macdonald (One Day in September, The Last King of Scotland). Produced by Steve Bing (Shangri-La Entertainment) and Charles Steel, and executive produced by Bob’s son Ziggy Marley and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell, MARLEY will have its world premiere at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival in February, and its North American premiere at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, TX in March.

The film will open in theaters on Friday, April 20th, launching day and date with all VOD and digital platforms.

VH1 has come onboard to license the first TV Window of the film as part of their Emmy-Award winning VH1 Rock Doc franchise and will work with Magnolia and the filmmakers to promote the film across their music lover channel.

Made with the unprecedented support of the Marley family, MARLEY is the first film to tell the definitive life story of the musician, revolutionary, and legend, from his earliest days to his rise to international superstardom. Along with an incredible soundtrack, the film features rare footage, archival photos, and incredible performances and interviews with his family, friends, and bandmates – the people that knew him best. The film is sure to be a revelation to Bob Marley fans, of which there are many (the triple-platinum artist has nearly 35 million fans on his Facebook page alone), and newcomers alike.

“Bob Marley is a fascinating, towering figure in musical history, and MARLEY is the biography that he deserves,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Kevin Macdonald has once again shown himself to be a master documentarian with this eye-opening, entertaining, beautifully crafted film.”

“This documentary is the ultimate revelation of my father’s life,” said Executive Producer Ziggy Marley. “The family is proud to be able to have the world finally experience this emotional journey.”

The deal was negotiated for Magnolia by SVP of Acquisitions Dori Begley and Head of Business Affairs Chris Matson and for VH1 by Ben Zurier and Brad Abramson with Liesl Copland of WME Global on behalf of the filmmakers.

What do you think?

  • MARY F TUCKER

    I AM THE AUTHOR OF,” LIFE LOVE AND DEATH,” AND,” FARTHER ALONG,” MORE ON LIFE LOVE AND DEATH.  DEAR MR. MACDONALD PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY BOOKS, THAT I WROTE IN HONOR OF MY MOTHER AND THE HARD LIFE SHE HAD FROM DAY ONE.  I KNOW THAT THIS TRUE STORY IS THE KIND OF STORY THAT GREAT MOVIES AND GREAT SERIES ARE MADE OF.  IF YOU NEED A COPY OF THE BOOKS AND ANY INFO ABOUT THEM OR ABOUT ME, I WILL BE MOER THAN GLAD TO SEND IT TO YOU, OR MARK MYERS AT XLIBRIS WILL SEND THEM TO YOU.  MY MOTHER WAS A STRONG AND LOVING WOMAN WHO EVERYONE LOVED AND SHE LOVED EVERYBODY.  SHE WAS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT WANTED TO FEED AND CARE FOR EVERYONE WHO STOPPED AT HER DOOR STEPS .  HER FAITH AND TRUST IN GOD WAS WHAT PULLED HER ALL THE BAD TIMES.  SHE TAUGHT HER CHILDREN TO PUT OUR TRUST IN GOD, BECAUSE HE WAS ALWAYS THERE WHEN WE NEEDED HIM AND WE DIDN’T HAVE TO GO ANYWHERE TO FIND HIM, BECAUSE HE WAS WITH US AT ALL TIMES, NO MATTER WHERE WE WERE. 
       I REALLY WANT TO SEE THIS MADE INTO A MOVIE OR SERIES WHILE I’M HERE TO SEE IT.  PLEASE GIVE IT A CHANCE, YOU WON’T BE SORRY.  
        MARY F TUCKER     229 532 4785
       636 MT. PARON CHURCH RD.
       ALAPAHA, GA. 31622

  • MARY F. TUCKER

    Just trying to get someone interested in my books,”LIFE LOVE AND DEATH,” and,”Farther Along,” more on life love and death. This is the true story of my precious mother’s very bad life from the day she was born until the day she died. She was born of Cherokee decent and if that was not enought, her mother died when she was only 10 years old, leaving her and a 6 year old brother. The mean stepfather put them out of the house the day after the funeral to fend for themselves. Fran, my mom in the books went from house to house begging people to let her do chores for a place for her and lawson, her little brother to sleep. They lived like this for years until they finally got with a distant cousin of her mother, who they called Aunt Delly. Things were better for a while, and fran get raped and becomes pregnant, but refuses to give up her baby. Fran’s faith in GOD and trust in him was what pulled her through many bad times and she never gave up. Aunt Delly moved them to LENIOR CITY, so the girls could find work. Fran found true love when they went to work at the hosiery mill and met the boss’s son. They eventually married and were very happy, but it didn’t last long because was tragically killed when there was an explosion at the factory, along with his dad and many more. Four years later she married my dad,Emmitt, who was a saint until he married her, and he turned into the devil. She went through more than any woman i know ,just to keep her family together and from going hungry, and never lost her faith and taught her children to do the same. She always taught us to stay close as a family and to always put our trust in GOD and he would see us through anything. I can’t begin to tell you enough, you just have to read the books. I do know in my heart that this is the kind of true story that great movies are made of. I hope you will take a look and give it a chance. I know you won’t be sorry. MARY F. TUCKER
    636 MT. PARON CHURCH RD.
    ALAPAHA, GA.31622 229-532-4785

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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