Network Announces New Original Documentaries Darkon, Heavy Load and At the Death House Door
Critically-Acclaimed The Henry Rollins Show Returning for Season Two With Featured Editorials from Writer, Actress, Comedian Janeane Garofalo; IFC One-Hour Special
Henry Rollins Uncut From Tel Aviv To Kick off Series
Premiere in April 2007
New York, NY, December 20, 2006 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC), the first and largest network dedicated to independent film, announced today that it is continuing to expand its original programming slate with an extensive lineup of non-fiction projects. Three new powerful original documentaries, Darkon, Heavy Load and At the Death House Door are among the network’s expanding lineup. On April 13, 2007, IFC will premiere the second season of its critically-acclaimed signature series, The Henry Rollins Show with writer, actress and comedian Janeane Garofalo offering editorials in four episodes. Kicking off the new season will be IFC’s new one-hour special, Henry Rollins: Uncut from Tel Aviv, documenting Rollins’ two-night performance in Tel Aviv, Israel.
“Expanding our slate of original programming is something we are very committed to,” said Evan Shapiro, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IFC. “We are extremely pleased with the success we’ve had this year with our originals – including an overwhelming response to our first ever theatrical release – and we look forward to continuing the momentum with more compelling programming that aligns with the network’s uncut, uncensored environment.”
“IFC is a destination where viewers come for great stories and storytelling,” added Debbie DeMontreux, IFC’s Vice President of Original Programming. “We are dedicated to creating engaging programming that resonates with our audience. The exciting new additions to our Henry Rollins programming in 2007, along with this lineup of captivating documentaries, is a perfect example of the raw, edgy and thought-provoking entertainment that differentiates IFC’s programming within the television landscape. We’re confident that our upcoming slate is going to continue to yield outstanding television for the network.”
Following are descriptions of IFC’s non-fiction projects announced today:
- THE HENRY ROLLINS SHOW season 2
20 episodes, 1/2 hour; April 13, 2007
Hosted by Henry Rollins, singer, actor, author and self-proclaimed “anti-man,” this multi-dimensional show, which re-launched from Henry’s Film Corner to The Henry Rollins Show in April 2006 with an expanded format, offers an uncensored approach to late night talk show programming with an independent voice that strikes a brilliant balance of humor, angst, art and intellect. This season, writer, actress and comedian Janeane Garofalo will offer editorials in four episodes, shot on location at her NYC apartment. Much like Henry Rollins, she will comment on the state of the union, pop culture, and whatever is on her mind. Additional special guests will join Rollins throughout the series to discuss and debate films, music, celebrities, and movie culture in America. Regularly scheduled musical performances will also be incorporated into the show’s format. During each 30-minute episode, outspoken Rollins offers topical conversations and subversive, no-holds-barred debates delivered to viewers in IFC’s uncut environment. The Henry Rollins Show is created and Executive Produced by Swift River Productions. - HENRY ROLLINS: UNCUT FROM TEL AVIV
1 hour special; April 13, 2007
Following the hit IFC special Henry Rollins: Uncut from New York, the network’s second special takes place in Tel Aviv, Israel, where six years ago, outspoken Rollins had a couple of very successful stand-up shows, and where there is a hungry, intelligent and attentive audience. The new special will document Rollins’ upcoming two-night performance in Tel Aviv, including a variety of stories about his visits to places of special interest in and around Israel (The Wailing Wall, The Villa De La Rosa, The Dead Sea, etc.). In his blunt and charismatic style that IFC viewers love, Rollins will offer his own take on these significant and historic sites. Henry Rollins: Uncut from New York will be produced by Swift River Productions and Richard Bishop. - DARKON – Fall 2007
Darkon is a feature documentary that follows the real-life adventures of an unusual group of weekend “warrior knights,” fantasy role-playing gamers whose live action “battleground” is modern-day Baltimore, Maryland, re-imagined as a make-believe medieval world named Darkon. These live action gamers combine the physical drama of historical re-enactments with character-driven storylines inspired in part by such perennial favorite fantasy epics like Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, and the saga of Conan the Barbarian. As role players, they create alter-egos with rich emotional, psychological, and social lives. They costume themselves and physically act out their characters exploits both in intimate court intrigue and campouts and in panoramic battle scenarios involving competitive strategies, convincingly real props, and full contact “combat.” Because real life so often gets in the way, it’s easy to understand these players motivations. Everybody wants to be a hero. Winner of the SXSW Film Festival Audience Award, Darkon is directed by Andrew Neel and Luke Meyer of SeeThink Productions and produced and executive produced by Ovie Entertainment. - HEAVY LOAD – Spring 2008
A comedy of conflicting ambitions, the documentary Heavy Load captures the excitement, sweat and romance of playing in a band through the eyes of a unique set of characters. Heavy Load is a punk band made up of musicians with and without learning disabilities, doing what they do not for fame or celebrity, but for the joy of making noise. The band survives through a combination of raucous energy, attitude and sheer volume…’We like to take a classic song and crucify it!’ says guitarist Mick. Inspired by hopes of playing Glastonbury, how far can the band take their dreams into the mainstream? Heavy Load is directed and produced by Jerry Rothwell, and produced by Al Morrow and Jonny Persey of APT Films. - AT THE DEATH HOUSE DOOR – Spring 2008
At the Death House Door is the story of the wrongful execution of Carlos DeLuna and the Death House Chaplain, Pastor Carroll Pickett, who spent the last day of DeLuna’s life with him. The feature documentary, currently in production, follows the remarkable career journey of Pickett, culminating in the story of DeLuna, a convict whose execution bothered Pickett more than any other. He firmly believed the man was innocent, and the film will track the investigative efforts of a team of Chicago Tribune reporters who have turned up evidence that strongly suggests he was. The documentary takes a very personal and intimate look at the death penalty in Texas, the first state to do lethal injection. Pickett was present for the first lethal injection in 1981. At the Death House Door is a Kartemquin Films Production in association with The Chicago Tribune. The documentary is directed and produced by Steve James and Peter Gilbert, and executive produced by Gordon Quinn.
Today’s announcement culminates a year of original programming success for IFC. In August, the network debuted two new series, The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman and The Business, both of which received overwhelming critical acclaim. IFC also released an ambitious slate of original documentaries including, among others: Yo Soy Boricua, Pa Que Tu Lo Sepas! directed by actress Rosie Perez, chronicling the struggles and triumphs of Puerto Ricans living in the United States; Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema directed and produced by award-winning filmmakers Lisa Ades and Lesli Klainberg, examining the history of gay filmmaking and its impact on mainstream culture; and Rank, an exciting documentary that brings the gritty reality of the hazardous sport of professional bull riding into focus for the first time. IFC TV also launched its first-ever theatrical release nationwide with its controversial documentary This Film Is Not Yet Rated, the breakthrough film from Oscar-nominated director Kirby Dick that offers an unprecedented investigation into the MPAA film ratings system and its profound impact on American culture. The film will make its network debut on IFC in March 2007. Additional projects recently announced by IFC and scheduled for 2007 include original documentaries: The Bridge, a provocative, unflinching account of the suicides at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, and Indie Sex, an IFC documentary trilogy by award-winning filmmakers Lisa Ades and Lesli Klainberg that explores the controversial, titillating and complicated topic of sex in cinema.
About IFC Television
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed network dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut, uncensored and commercial-free.
The network is part of IFC Companies — the only brand to operate in every area of independent film to include television, production, financing, distribution, digital, on-demand and exhibition. IFC Companies uses its unique cross-platform position to broaden the audience of independent film and to provide independent filmmakers with a strong voice. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, LLC.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media creates and manages some of the country’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands including popular national and regional television channels AMC, fuse, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), WE tv, and two FSN affiliated regional sports networks managed by Rainbow Sports Networks. The company also manages Mag Rack and sportskool, two original on-demand networks; VOOM HD Networks, the largest and most diverse suite of high definition channels available anywhere; IFC Entertainment, its film distribution, production and exhibition division; Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales division; and Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company.