VANCOUVER, Oct. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - Network Media Group
Inc. (TSX: NTE.V) (OTCMKTS: NMGGF) and Network
Entertainment Inc. ("Network" or "the Company") founder and
Chief Executive Officer, Derik
Murray, is pleased to announce that the Company is
completing production on the upcoming
film I Am Richard Pryor, the latest in
Network's acclaimed I Am series of
feature documentaries for Paramount Network in the U.S., and for
international distribution.
Pryor's comic genius was steeped in race, class and social
commentary, and encompassed the stage, screen, records and
television. At one point the highest-paid black performer in the
entertainment industry, he continually challenged the status quo in
a post–civil rights America that was supposedly moving towards
normalization.
"From very humble beginnings, my husband lifted himself up and
propelled himself through an iconic comedy career during America's
rockiest years, tackling racism, transcending boundaries, finding
himself and inspiring many," said Jennifer
Lee Pryor. "I am confident that Network Entertainment
will produce an outstanding film about my husband that does him
justice both as a cultural icon and as a man."
The film features original cinematically filmed interviews with
contemporary comedians, filmmakers, writers and
collaborators including Lily
Tomlin, Tiffany Haddish, Michael
Epps, Sandra Bernhard, Jimmie Walker, Howie
Mandel, Michael Schultz, Dr. Todd
Boyd, Henry Jaglom,
Ishmael Reed, Scott Saul, Rocco
Urbisci, Thom Mount and
Ron De Blasio, along with
Jennifer Pryor.
The documentary also includes iconic stand-up performances,
including Richard Pryor: Live in
Concert and Live & Smokin', sketches
from The Richard Pryor Show and from Lily Tomlin's television specials, and several
of his most important feature film performances.
"We are excited that Jennifer
Pryor has entrusted us to tell Richard's incredible yet
complicated story," says Producer Derik Murray. "We are honored to
showcase Richard's genius while delving deeper into the man whose
work established him as one of comedy's most beloved and courageous
icons."
"Richard Pryor was one of the
most fearless trailblazers in the history of comedy," adds Jon
Slusser, Senior Vice President, Sports and Specials, Paramount
Network. "We are proud to bring Richard's story and his message of
racial tolerance to our audience in the next installment of our
award winning I Am series."
Jesse James Miller is directing
I Am Richard Pryor and, along with Murray, the documentary
is Executive Produced by Paul Gertz,
Kent Wingerak, and Richard Pryor's wife, Jennifer Pryor. Paramount Network's Jon Slusser and Jaimee
Kosanke also serve as Executive Producers.
About Network Media Group Inc.
Network Media Group is the parent company of Network
Entertainment Inc. Network Entertainment, founded and headquartered
in Vancouver, British Columbia,
Canada, produces premium content for global audiences. Network's
documentaries and docu-series showcase the lives of the world's
most inspiring cultural icons and their endearing legacy. Our films
have featured a compelling lineup of icons from the worlds of
Music, Movies, Comedy, Sports, Politics and Business. The Network
premium brand of programming features outstanding casts and highly
cinematic, richly crafted storytelling. Our productions are
consistently embraced by both popular and critical acclaim
garnering awards, record ratings and unparalleled media
coverage.
Network's broadcast and distribution partners include: AHC, AMC,
Discovery Channel, CBC, CMT, CTV, Entertainment One,
FremantleMedia, HBO Canada, History Channel, iTunes, Lionsgate,
National Geographic, Paramount Network, Spike, Sundance TV,
Thunderbird and TMN. Our work has been recognized by the Academy
Awards, the Emmys, Realscreen Awards, the Gemini Awards, the LEOs,
the Los Angeles Film Festival,
Washington D.C. Silver Docs,
Seattle International Film
Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival,
Houston International Film
Festival, Vancouver International
Film Festival, Banff Television Festival, and the International
Film and Television Festival of New
York.
For additional information on Network Entertainment Inc.,
visit www.networkentertainment.ca
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accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-looking
Information
Except for historical information contained herein, this news
release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including the Company not obtaining required TSX
Venture Exchange approval of the Transaction and the Transaction
not being completed as proposed or at all. These statements are
necessarily based upon management's perceptions, beliefs,
assumptions and expectations, as well as a number of specific
factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by
management of the Company as of the date of such statements, are
inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies
that could result in the forward-looking information ultimately,
perhaps materially, being incorrect. All forward looking
information in this news release involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that are beyond the control of the
Company and may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such forward looking information. Except as
required pursuant to applicable securities laws, the Company will
not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or
circumstances after the date hereof.
SOURCE Network Media Group Inc.