I Am Richard Pryor to Make
World Premiere at SXSW on March
12
VANCOUVER, Feb. 12, 2019 /CNW/ - Network Media Group
Inc. (TSX: NTE.V) (OTCMKTS:
NMGGF) and Network Entertainment Inc. ("Network"
or "the Company") are pleased to announce the 2019
line up for its award-winning I Am franchise of
documentaries produced in partnership with Paramount Network on the
world's most iconic individuals. The three new chapters of
the critically-acclaimed series will feature Richard Pryor, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Patrick Swayze. These three iconic figures join
the prestigious roster who have been featured in past I Am
documentaries, including John F. Kennedy
Jr., Martin Luther King Jr.,
Bruce Lee, Steve McQueen, Evel
Knievel, Paul Walker,
Sam Kinison, Chris Farley, and Heath
Ledger, which recently received two Realscreen awards.
I Am Richard Pryor, the first of the three 2019
installments, will make its world premiere at South by
Southwest Film Festival on Tuesday, March
12, and will debut on Paramount Network on Friday, March 15 at 10:00
p.m. ET/PT. Premiere dates for the Jackie O and Patrick Swayze documentaries will be announced
at a later date.
I Am Richard Pryor explores and celebrates the life
and career of the iconic comedian who lifted himself out of poverty
to achieve worldwide success. From his first comedy album until his
death of a heart attack in 2005, the revolutionary and courageous
stand-up comedian dispensed what critics regarded as the most
poignant and penetrating comedic view of African-American life ever
afforded to the U.S. at large. Volatile yet vulnerable, crass but
sensitive, streetwise and cocky, Pryor did not simply tell stories,
he brought them to life and was considered a trailblazer for
generations of comics to come. The film explores his unusually
personal art that was a window into a vulnerable soul, as well as
the endless struggle to extend dignity and equality to all.
I Am Richard Pryor includes exclusive interviews
with comedians, filmmakers, family, and friends including
Sandra Bernhard, Ron De Blasio, Dr. Todd
Boyd, Michael Epps, Tiffany
Haddish, Henry Jaglom, Howie Mandel, Thom
Mount, Ishmael Reed,
Scott Saul, Michael Schultz, Greg
Tate, Lily Tomlin,
Rocco Urbisci, Jimmie Walker, and Jennifer Lee Pryor, who is also featured, and
during a moving and poignant moment in the documentary, uniquely
honors the life of her husband.
"We are committed to delivering an authentic and entertaining
portrayal of each of the icons we are honored to portray in our
ongoing I Am series of documentary features. Every one of
our iconic subjects has made their personal mark on history, and
along the way has captured the hearts and minds of audiences and
fans around the world," said Derik
Murray, Network CEO and Executive Producer of the I
Am series. "I Am Richard Pryor was made possible by
Jennifer Lee Pryor's resolute
conviction to tell Richard's story with a foundation of truth and
respect for his massive legacy. Alongside Jennifer's revealing
interview, we have assembled a brilliant cast that blows open the
door on a complex and gifted artist whose profound impact lives
on."
"We are thrilled to bring the stories of these three incredible
icons to Paramount Network through the I Am franchise," said
Keith Cox, President, Development
and Production, Paramount Network and TV Land. "It's truly an honor
to pay homage to this group of extraordinary people through these
inspiring films. We couldn't be more excited with their inclusion
on our 2019 documentary slate."
The documentary, directed by Jesse James
Miller, is Executive Produced by Paul Gertz, Kent
Wingerak, and Richard Pryor's
widow, Jennifer Pryor. Paramount
Network's Jaimee Kosanke also serves
as Executive Producer.
The I Am franchise is distributed internationally by
FremantleMedia and in Canada by
Thunderbird Entertainment.
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 enduring legacy, featuring
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. Network's productions are consistently
embraced by both audiences and critics alike, garnering awards,
record ratings and unparalleled media coverage.
Network's broadcast and distribution partners include: AHC, AMC,
Discovery Channel, CBC, CMT, CTV, Entertainment One, EPIX,
FremantleMedia, HBO Canada, History Channel, iTunes, Lionsgate,
National Geographic, Paramount Network, Spike, Sundance TV,
Thunderbird, TMN, Virgil Entertainment, and YouTube Premium. The
Company's 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.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
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.
About Paramount Network
Paramount Network is a premium
entertainment destination that pushes the limits of story-telling
with bold original scripted and non-scripted series. Inspired by
over a century of cinema, Paramount Network is where today's
brightest stars bring the experience of the big screen to every
screen with stories that are immersive, inclusive, and deeply
personal. For more information, visit www.ParamountNetwork.com.
SOURCE Network Media Group Inc.