Sony Picture Classics Gets Tyson At Cannes
A few days ago I posted an entry detailing the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the James Toback directed Mike Tyson documentary at this year's Cannes Film Festival, where the former heavyweight boxing champ himself was present to enjoy the accolades first-hand. You can read that post HERE.
At the time, the film was without a distribution deal, or at least, none had been announced... until today!
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Sony Pictures Classics is in final negotiations for the documentary, which chronicles the "illustrious but often troubled life of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson," calling it "one of the most high-profile domestic pickups among the Festival de Cannes premieres."
I had no idea it was considered a high-profile affair!
Apparently, Toback, who self-funded the project, had a tentative distribution agreement with Yari Film Group which never materialized due to disagreements with the deal. According to the Reporter, "The director was determined to leave Cannes with a deal, he said, in order to showcase the film in the early fall festival circuit before a release timed around the November elections."
I'm wondering why he wants a release timed specifically around the November elections... guess we'll find out eventually, now that the film will see a theatrical release.
At the time, the film was without a distribution deal, or at least, none had been announced... until today!
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Sony Pictures Classics is in final negotiations for the documentary, which chronicles the "illustrious but often troubled life of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson," calling it "one of the most high-profile domestic pickups among the Festival de Cannes premieres."
I had no idea it was considered a high-profile affair!
Apparently, Toback, who self-funded the project, had a tentative distribution agreement with Yari Film Group which never materialized due to disagreements with the deal. According to the Reporter, "The director was determined to leave Cannes with a deal, he said, in order to showcase the film in the early fall festival circuit before a release timed around the November elections."
I'm wondering why he wants a release timed specifically around the November elections... guess we'll find out eventually, now that the film will see a theatrical release.
Yeah, interesting - what's the deal with an election time release...?
Maybe he thinks that Obama has a good chance of becoming president and so the world will be more receptive to sympathising with one of America's best former black-bad-boy-beasts...
Apparently, from an article I read last week, the film leaves you feeling rather sorry for Tyson. I notice there's another article about it today in The Guardian as well. I guess we can expect even more media coverage now that it's been picked up.
http://film.guardian.co.uk/features/featurepages/0,,2281763,00.html