Produced By Sundance Channel and Grey Goose Entertainment
An @radical.media Production, Fourth Season To Feature: Archbishop Desmond Tutu + Sir Richard Branson; Stella McCartney + Edward Ruscha; Tony Hawk + Jon Favreau; Bill Maher + Clive Davis; Venus Williams + Wyclef Jean; Cameron Diaz + Cameron Sinclair
"One of the best documentary series on television." Whitney Matheson, USA Today, October 24, 2007
"In any case, they are not sitting in a TV Studio, under TV lights, falling back on their professional personalities. The result seems at once more casual and more fabulous – like peeking over a fence at the Saturday afternoon party." – Los Angeles Times, October 21, 2007
New York, August 18, 2008 – Sundance Channel and Grey Goose Entertainment today unveiled the six pairings set to appear during the fourth season of the Sundance Channel original television series "Iconoclasts." Each hour-long episode of the six-part series features two leading innovators from different fields who come together to discuss their passions and creative processes. "Iconoclasts" debuts Thursday, October 16, 2008, at 10 PM ET/PT and is executive produced by Robert Redford.
"Iconoclasts" is produced by @radical.media and directed by Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky (the filmmakers behind Metallica: Some Kind of Monster).
Participants for Season Four are: Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson; fashion designer Stella McCartney and artist Edward Ruscha; skateboarder Tony Hawk and filmmaker/actor Jon Favreau; political humorist Bill Maher and music industry executive Clive Davis; tennis champion Venus Williams and musician/producer Wyclef Jean; and actress Cameron Diaz and architect Cameron Sinclair.
"We are very excited about the pairings in this season of ’Iconoclasts’" said Laura Michalchyshyn, Sundance Channel GM. "Each ’Iconoclast’ has made significant impact in their respective fields and watching them share their worlds with those that inspire them makes each episode entertaining and engrossing."
"Iconoclasts" pairs two leading creative innovators from different fields including film, sports, architecture, fashion, food, music, and business. Unlike an ordinary interview program, "Iconoclasts" captures the essence of these headline-makers through the eyes of the creative visionaries who respect and admire them the most. The "Iconoclasts" visit each other’s worlds to explore their creative process, their inspirations and their passions. Each pair provides viewers with an inside glimpse into the inspiration and motivation that made these iconoclasts who they are today and offers insight into the real people behind the public personae.
Season one of "Iconoclasts" featured: actor Samuel L. Jackson and basketball legend Bill Russell, fashion designer Tom Ford and artist Jeff Koons, chef Mario Batali and musician Michael Stipe, producer Brian Grazer and CEO Sumner Redstone, actress Renee Zellweger and news correspondent Christiane Amanpour, and actor and environmentalist Robert Redford and actor and philanthropist Paul Newman.
Season two featured: Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder and big-wave surfer Laird Hamilton; dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and chef Alice Waters; filmmaker Quentin Tarantino and singer/songwriter Fiona Apple; actress Isabella Rossellini and inventor Dean Kamen; music great Paul Simon and producer Lorne Michaels; and comedian Dave Chappelle and poet Maya Angelou
Season three featured: actor/filmmaker Sean Penn and author/adventurer Jon Krakauer; singer/songwriter Alicia Keys and actress Ruby Dee; actor Mike Myers and physician, author, and philosopher Dr. Deepak Chopra; entrepreneur Howard Schultz and writer/producer Norman Lear; musician/Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis and chef John Besh; and former U.S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and actress and humanitarian Ashley Judd.
"Iconoclasts" is executive produced by Robert Redford; Jon Kamen, Frank Scherma and Justin Wilkes of @radical.media; Monsell Darville of Grey Goose Entertainment; and Laura Michalchyshyn, Lynne Kirby and Kirk Iwanowski of Sundance Channel; and co-executive produced by Sidney Beaumont and Joe Berlinger. The series producers are Rachel Dawson and Christine Walters. Supervising Producer for Sundance Channel is Mala Chapple.
Current broadcast schedule (subject to change) is as follows:
Archbishop Desmond Tutu + Sir Richard Branson (Oct. 16 at 10 PM ET/PT)
Stella McCartney + Edward Ruscha + (Oct. 23 at 10 PM ET/PT)
Tony Hawk + Jon Favreau (Oct. 30 at 10 PM ET/PT)
Bill Maher + Clive Davis (Nov. 6 at 10 PM ET/PT)
Venus Williams + Wyclef Jean (Nov. 13 at 10 PM ET/PT)
Cameron Diaz + Cameron Sinclair (Nov. 20 at 10 PM ET/PT)
SUBJECT BIOGRAPHIES
Archbishop Desmond Tutu
In 1979, Anglican priest and Bishop of Lesotho Desmond Mpilo Tutu became the first black General Secretary of the South African Council of Churches. He spoke strongly and fearlessly against the evil of apartheid, calling on the international community to impose economic sanctions against South Africa towards a non-violent change. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1984 and was elected the first black Anglican bishop of Johannesburg. In 1986 he was installed as Archbishop of Cape Town, and he continued to be untiring in his denunciation of apartheid. In 1994, after the end of Apartheid and the election of Nelson Mandela as the first President of a free South Africa, Archbishop Tutu was appointed Chairman of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, to investigate apartheid-era crimes. His policy of forgiveness and reconciliation has become an international example of conflict resolution, and a trusted method of post-conflict reconstruction. He continues to pursue an active international ministry for peace.
Sir Richard Branson
Sir Richard Branson is the founder and president of Virgin Group, one of the world’s most recognized and respected brands. The Virgin Group has expanded into air and ground travel, telecommunications, financial services, health, space travel and clean energy. In 1999, Branson was awarded a knighthood for "services to entrepreneurship." In an effort to develop new approaches to social and environmental issues through business and social sector partnerships, Branson founded the not-for-profit foundation Virgin Unite. Beginning in September 2006, he committed future proceeds from the Virgin Group’s transportation interests to investment into renewable energy initiatives. He also announced a $25 million prize for a viable technology that achieves net removal of anthropogenic, atmospheric greenhouse gases. Recently, he joined Nelson Mandela, Graca Machel and Desmond Tutu to form The Elders, a group of independent leaders seeking sustainable solutions to global humanitarian issues. In December 2007, Branson was recognized by UNCA as Citizen of the Year.
Stella McCartney
Born and raised in London, Stella McCartney graduated from Central St Martins in 1995. Her signature style of sharp tailoring, natural confidence and sexy femininity has made her one of the world’s top fashion designers. After an acclaimed tenure as Creative Director of Chloe in Paris, McCartney launched her own fashion house, showing her first collection in Paris in October 2001. She now operates stores in eight cities worldwide; in addition to ready-to-wear, her collections include accessories, eyewear, fragrance, and the critically lauded sports performance line "adidas by Stella McCartney," launched in 2004. In 2007, she introduced the world’s first luxury organic skincare line, CARE by Stella McCartney; this was followed in Spring 2008 by a lingerie line and a limited edition travel collection with LeSportsac. A lifelong vegetarian, McCartney does not use any leather or fur in her designs. She has received numerous awards recognizing her achievements in fashion and social awareness.
Edward Ruscha
Born in 1937 in Omaha, Nebraska, Edward Ruscha was raised in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1956, he moved to Los Angeles to attend the Chouinard Art Institute, and had his first solo exhibition in 1963 at the Ferus Gallery. He continues to live and work in Los Angeles, and is represented by Gagosian Gallery. Ruscha has consistently combined the cityscape of his adopted hometown with vernacular language to communicate a particular urban experience. His work encompasses painting, drawing, photography and artist’s books, and he has been the subject of numerous museum retrospectives that have traveled internationally. In 2001, he was elected to The American Academy of Arts and Letters and in 2005 he represented the United States at the 51st Venice Biennale. Ruscha’s paintings and drawings are currently the subject of a 13 volume catalogue raisonne, the first volume of which was published in 2003. A major painting retrospective will open at the Hayward Gallery, London in 2009.
Tony Hawk
Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk has dazzled fans with his physical skill and artistry since he turned pro at age 14. Hawk’s talents have brought skateboarding unprecedented mainstream attention and respect, which has helped legitimize all action sports. Now 40 and still skating professionally, Hawk invented more than 80 tricks and is best known for his "900" (two and a half spins above a 12-foot-high halfpipe), which existed only in theory until he landed it at the 1999 X-Games. He has written three books, including the bestselling autobiography, "HAWK: Occupation Skateboarder," and has released a series of hit video games. The Tony Hawk video game series is now one of the best-selling franchises of all time, with more than 30 million units sold worldwide. In recent years Hawk has expanded his licensing, media and event businesses into some of the biggest brands in action sports. He is an active participant in the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and his non-profit charity, the Tony Hawk Foundation, has awarded over $2.3 million to help finance over 390 public skateparks in low-income areas nationwide.
Jon Favreau
Eleven years after establishing himself with the acclaimed hipster comedy, Swingers, Jon Favreau continues to challenge himself with a variety of eclectic projects highlighting his strengths as an actor, writer and director. As a director, Favreau most recently released Iron Man, starring Robert Downey Jr. As an actor, he is currently filming I Love You, Man; he next appears in Four Christmases, opening in late 2008. His directing credits include the intergalactic adventure Zathura and the 2003 holiday classic Elf, starring Will Ferrell. In 2001, he made his feature directorial debut with Made; he also wrote and co-starred with Vince Vaughn and Sean "Puffy" Combs. Favreau conceived and hosted the EmmyTM-nominated IFC series "Dinner For Five," which premiered in 2001. His acting credits include The Break Up; the title role in the Rocky Marciano biopic Marciano; Wimbledon; Daredevil; Love and Sex; The Replacements; Very Bad Things; Deep Impact; Rudy; "Friends"; and "The Sopranos," playing himself.
Bill Maher
For the last 15 years, Bill Maher has set the boundaries of where funny, political talk can go on American television. First on "Politically Incorrect" (Comedy Central, ABC, 1993-2002), and for the last six years on HBO’s "Real Time," Maher’s combination of unflinching honesty and big laughs have garnered him 21 Emmy nominations. And in October of 2008, this same combination will be on display in the movies when Maher’s uproarious and unprecedented swipe at organized religion, "Religulous," directed by Larry Charles ("Borat") hits theaters.
Clive Davis
As the record industry’s most innovative, outspoken and influential executive, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Clive Davis has had a profound effect on the world of music. As the president of Columbia Records from 1967-1973, he was directly responsible for signing artists including Janis Joplin, Santana, Laura Nyro, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith. Davis strengthened Columbia’s catalog in all fields of recorded music, playing a key role in the careers of Simon & Garfunkel, Sly & The Family Stone, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. In 1974, he founded Arista Records, where he launched the recording careers of Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow and Patti Smith. In 2000, Davis formed J Records, enjoying the first of many successes with Alicia Keys’ Grammy®-winning debut. Davis’ triumph at J led to his joining the BMG Record Group in 2003. A longtime humanitarian activist, Davis has spearheaded the donation of millions of dollars to AIDS charities since 1985 and in 2003 he endowed the first ever degree awarded program in contemporary music establishing the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at NYU’s Tisch School.
Venus Williams
At the tender age of 14, Venus Williams became a professional athlete, taking the world of tennis by storm. Fiercely determined and wielding an impressive physical prowess, she spent the next decade rising to the top-ranked position and winning numerous championships, including the U.S. Open, Wimbledon and doubles at the Australian Open and French Open, as well as two Olympic Gold medals. In July 2008, she won her fifth Wimbledon Championship in a riveting match against her sister Serena Williams, joining the handful of legendary women’s singles tennis champions who have won five or more Wimbledon Championships. Known for her distinctive style, Williams earned a degree in Fashion Design from The Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale. Now 28, she is a successful entrepreneur with her own line of sneakers, clothing and accessories, "EleVen" and an interior design firm, V Starr Interiors. She is the subject of a new coffee-table book, "Venus," with images by world-renowned avant-garde photographer, Koto Bolofo.
Wyclef Jean
Haitian-born Wyclef Jean is a Grammy Award-winning musician/producer and social activist. A founding member of the pioneering hip-hop group Fugees and prolific solo artist, Jean has effortlessly crossed genres, generations and geographic boundaries as a musical goodwill ambassador and a diplomat for positive cultural evolution. His sixth and latest studio solo album is "Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant." His albums with the Fugees include the platinum-selling 1996 classic "The Score," which reached the #1 slots on Billboard’s Top 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop albums charts and earned two Grammy Awards. Much in demand as a producer, writer and performer, he has collaborated with artists including Bono, Carlos Santana, Whitney Houston and Shakira. In 2005, Jean created the non-profit foundation Yele Haiti to provide aid and assistance to his native Haiti. The charity links with existing groups and/or starts programs relating to hunger, education, youth rehabilitation, AIDS treatment and prevention, and sustainable development.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz made her feature film debut at age 21 in the hit 1994 comedy The Mask. She has since appeared in over 30 feature films, emerging as one of the most talented actresses of her generation and winning numerous awards. She has given critically acclaimed performances in a wide range of films, including My Best Friend’s Wedding, There’s Something About Mary, Being John Malkovich, Any Given Sunday, Charlie’s Angels, Shrek, Vanilla Sky, Gangs of New York, The Holiday, In Her Shoes and, most recently, What Happens in Vegas. She also produced a 10-episode worldwide adventure series, entitled Trippin for MTV. Diaz is a committed environmentalist and has been trained to deliver Al Gore’s presentation on climate change, a grass-roots efforts to raise awareness around the world. She has been a guest lecturer on environmentally friendly building at Stanford University as part of a popular MTVU program. A longtime supporter of the Environmental Media Association, she has filmed public service announcements about the importance of conserving energy.
Cameron Sinclair
Cameron Sinclair is the co-founder and ’eternal optimist’ for Architecture for Humanity, a charitable organization founded to develop architectural and design solutions to humanitarian crises and provide pro-bono design services to communities in need. The organization has completed over one hundred projects in seventeen countries ranging from schools, health clinics, affordable housing and long term sustainable reconstruction. Most recently they have been rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina and developed HIV/AIDS outreach centers throughout Africa. Named by Fortune Magazine as one of seven people changing the world for the better he was the recipient of the TED prize in 2006, was recently selected a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, and is the recipient of Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum’s the 2008 Smithsonian National Design Awards for Design Patron Award. As a result of the TED Prize he and Architecture for Humanity co-founder Kate Stohr launched the Open Architecture Network, the worlds’ first open source community dedicated to improving living conditions through innovative and sustainable design. Sinclair and Stohr also compiled a compendium on socially conscious design titled "Design Like You Give A Damn".
Sundance Channel
Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all unedited and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel’s website address is www.sundancechannel.com.
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Sundance Channel, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media’s NYC studios and post-production facilities.
Grey Goose Entertainment
Founded in April 2005, Grey Goose Entertainment is dedicated to producing original and unique content for television, music and film. Each innovative project reflects the spirit of GREY GOOSE Vodka and celebrates the interests of the consumer. Season one of "Iconoclasts" was the first production from Grey Goose Entertainment. In addition to season one and season two of "Iconoclasts" Grey Goose Entertainment supports THE ARTISTS DEN, an innovative enterprise that curates the best new music from around the globe, which it showcases in unique and intimate venues.
@radical.media
@radical.media is a diverse global production company which has produced numerous award-winning feature films and television programs including the Academy Award®-winning "Fog of War," the Grammy Award winning "Concert For George," "Metallica: Some Kind of Monster" winner of the Independent Spirit Award and Jay-Z’s "Fade To Black." Additionally, the company produced the first and second season of the critically acclaimed television series "Iconoclasts" on the Sundance Channel, "The Gamekillers" and "Nike Battlegrounds" on MTV, "Fast Cars and Superstars" on ABC and the Emmy winning-series "Ten Days That Unexpectedly Changed America" for the History Channel.
For more information go to www.sundancechannel.com/iconoclasts.