Marley gets some images

Shangri-La Entertainment and Tuff Gong Pictures have produced, in association with Cowboy Films, this definitive film about one of the most loved international icons of the 20th Century. His music and message of love and redemption are known throughout the world and his story has finally been brought to life in this definitive work by the acclaimed talent of Kevin Macdonald. Filming took place as far afield as Ghana, Japan and the UK, in addition to Bob’s beloved Jamaica and the States – the film marks the first time his family has authorized the use of their own private archives.

Hitting UK cinemas April 20, 2012

Marley gets a trailer

Shangri-La Entertainment and Tuff Gong Pictures have produced, in association with Cowboy Films, this definitive film about one of the most loved international icons of the 20th Century. His music and message of love and redemption are known throughout the world and his story has finally been brought to life in this definitive work by the acclaimed talent of Kevin Macdonald. Filming took place as far afield as Ghana, Japan and the UK, in addition to Bob’s beloved Jamaica and the States – the film marks the first time his family has authorized the use of their own private archives.

Hitting UK cinemas April 20, 2012

Universal gets Marley

News of this film first came out last year's Cannes film festival. This was wen some footage was shown and it was expected to be released sometime last year. Now we have a distributor and a release date. Originally planned to be released to celebrate the 30th anniversary year of his death. As this has not happened it is now being released to celebrate the "50th anniversary of Jamaican independence".

The Shangri-La Entertainment/Tuff Gong Pictures produced Bob Marley documentary, MARLEY, has been acquired by Universal Pictures International Entertainment for all rights within the UK & Scandinavia.  Additional acquisitions have been secured by Lucky Red for Italy and by Avalon Distribution for Spain. Directed by Academy Award® and BAFTA® winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald, the film is scheduled for theatrical release in North America and the UK on April 20th 2012, then will release worldwide throughout the summer to coincide with the 50th anniversary year of Jamaican Independence.  Kevin Macdonald, Rohan Marley and long-time collaborator of Bob Marley, Neville Garrick, will be in Berlin to present the film on February 12th.

International sales agent, Fortissimo Films, also completed sales for South Africa (Nu Metro), Portugal (Lusomundo / Film & TV House), Germany & Austria (Studio Canal Germany), Poland (Best Film), France (Wild Side Films), Latin America (HBO Latin America Pan Regional Pay TV), Australia & New Zealand (Roadshow Films PTY Ltd), Benelux (E1), Middle East (Front Row) and Switzerland (Elite Film A.G.).

Shangri-La Entertainment and Tuff Gong Pictures have produced, in association with Cowboy Films, this definitive film about one of the most loved international icons of the 20th Century.  His music and message of love and redemption are known throughout the world and his story has finally been brought to life in this definitive work by the acclaimed talent of Kevin Macdonald. Filming took place as far afield as Ghana, Japan and the UK, in addition to Bob’s beloved Jamaica and the States – the film marks the first time his family has authorized the use of their own private archives.

Macdonald, director of two of the most acclaimed documentaries of recent years, ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and TOUCHING THE VOID, directs the ultimate, authorized documentary film on the life, legacy and global impact of a true legend - one of the most influential singers, songwriters, musicians and activists in history.  Only a handful of musicians have ever achieved such an impact as Bob Marley – and though Marley’s life was far too short, he stands among history’s most iconic personalities.

The deal was brokered by managing director of international sales agent Fortissimo Films Nelleke Driessen.

On announcing the deal Driessen said, “Bob Marley is one of a very few true international icons. His image, music and messages of love and peace have crossed borders, boundaries and cultures and are as relevant in the world today as ever.  We are extremely happy that the team at Universal share our passion for the subject matter and see the potential for this landmark project.  There is no better company to bring this film to audiences across the UK and Scandinavia where Bob remains so popular.”

Directors of Photography include Alwin Kuchler (ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and SUNSHINE) and Mike Eley (TOUCHING THE VOID). The editor is Dan Glendenning.

Kevin Macdonald’s recent projects include the multi-million dollar Focus Features production, THE EAGLE, starring Donald Sutherland, Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell which hit US theatres in February and his well-received documentary, LIFE IN A DAY, which screened at last year’s Sundance Film Festival.

SECRET FOOTAGE SCREENING OF KEVIN MACDONALD’S BOB MARLEY DOCUMENTARY MARLEY IN CANNES

On the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival Kevin Macdonald will be releasing a preview of his upcoming documentary about Bob Marley. This coincides with the 30th anniversary of his death. If Macdonalds previous documentaries are anything to go by then this is going to be an excellent look at the singer's life.

London, 5th May 2011: Academy Award® and BAFTA® winning filmmaker Kevin Macdonald will head to Cannes next week to screen around 15 minutes of footage from his hotly anticipated documentary feature MARLEY. The filmmakers have purposely chosen the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival to unveil the footage as the date itself, 11th May 2011, marks the 30th anniversary of the day Marley died. The footage will be presented to a select audience of buyers with the movie opening later in 2011.

The movie marks Macdonalds return to the documentary filmmaking world following his recent big screen success THE EAGLE and THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND. Before this, Macdonald directed two of the most acclaimed documentaries of recent years, ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and TOUCHING THE VOID,

In February 2011, Macdonald boarded Tuff Gong Pictures / Shangri-La Entertainment Bob Marley documentary MARLEY. Director Macdonald joined with the Marley family, Chris Blackwell and Steve Bing have put together what they claim to be the ultimate, authorized documentary film on the life, legacy and global impact of a true legend, One of the most influential singers, songwriters, musicians and activists in history. MARLEY marks the first time ever that his family has authorized the use of their own private Bob Marley archives.

The film will receive a worldwide theatrical release later in 2011, during the 30th anniversary year after his passing in 1981.

Tuff Gong Pictures and Shangri-La Entertainment are producing, in association with Cowboy Films, this definitive film about one of the true and most loved international icons of the 20th Century. His music and message of love and redemption are known throughout the world and his story will finally be brought to life by the acclaimed talent of Kevin Macdonald.

Bob Marley’s universal appeal, impact on music history and his role as a social and political prophet is both unique and unparalleled. His music and message transcend culture, language and creed and resonate around the world today as powerfully as when he was alive. Only a handful of musicians have ever achieved such an impact and Bob Marley, though his life was far too short, stands among them.

As one of the most accomplished documentary and feature filmmakers of a new generation Macdonald will deliver the definitive work on Bob Marley, his life and a truly global influence. Filming is taking place as far afield as Ghana, Japan and the UK, in addition to his beloved Jamaica and the States.

The film is produced by Charles Steel of Cowboy Films and co-produced by Shangri-La Entertainment’s Zach Schwartz. Directors of Photography include Alwin Kuchler (ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and SUNSHINE) and Mike Eley (TOUCHING THE VOID). The editor is Dan Glendenning.

Kevin Macdonald recently completed shooting his upcoming multi-million dollar Focus Features production THE EAGLE starring Donald Sutherland, Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell which will hit US theatres in February. His hotly anticipated documentary LIFE IN A DAY is screening at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Fortissimo Films is the international sales agent.

Tuff Gong Pictures first gained fame for producing reggae videos for artists such as Burning Spear, Michael Rose, Heartbeat Records, Bounty Killer and Barrington Levy. In 2001, Tuff Gong Pictures released the Stephanie Black-helmed LIFE AND DEBT, a documentary which addressed the impact of international monetary policies on developing countries such as Jamaica. In 2005, Tuff Gong Pictures released their second thought provoking documentary also by directed by Stephanie Black, AFRICA UNITE, which is described as a concert tribute, Marley Family travelogue and humanitarian documentary all in one.

Shangri-La Entertainment films include POLAR EXPRESS, SHINE A LIGHT, BEOWULF, LOOKING FOR COMEDY IN THE MUSLIM WORLD, FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, HEART OF GOLD and CSNY: DÉJÀ VU.

Cowboy Films produced Kevin MacDonald’s THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, which won an Oscar for Best Actor and a BAFTA for Best British Film. Other feature films include Beeban Kidron’s AMY FOSTER (aka Swept From the Sea) and Nick Love’s debut GOODBYE CHARLIE BRIGHT. TV productions include POPPY SHAKESPEARE which won the BAFTA for Best Actress and TOP BOY, a four-part thriller written by Ronan Bennett currently in production.

Cowboy also produces short films including the Oscar winning WASP (Andrea Arnold) and the BAFTA winning I-DO-AIR (Martina Amati).To be released in May 2011 is Cowboy’s first feature documentary FIRE IN BABYLON, which premiered at the London Film Festival.