In the Company of Women Exploring the Role of Women in Independent Film
NEW YORK, July 8, 2003 – On the heels of its successful TCA presentation for its August documentary, A Decade Under the Influence, Ed Carroll, Executive Vice President and General Manager of IFC announced today it will expand IFC’s original programming slate in 2004 to include Slasher, a John Landis (Animal House, Trading Places, Kentucky Fried Movie) documentary that takes audiences into the strange and often hilarious world of a used car “slasher” sale and the documentary, In the Company of Women, which will explore the roles of women in independent film and features interviews with many of the indie world’s leading actors and filmmakers. Both projects will be an IFC Original Production and will be Executive Produced by Alison Bourke.
“IFC has a rich history of offering original and innovative programming that is powerful, meaningful, and entertaining and we are very pleased to continue that tradition with these documentaries,” stated Carroll. “We expect great success when we premiere A Decade Under the Influence this August, and want to ensure that we are building on the momentum it will create. These two new projects slated for 2004, will not only bring some of the more respected names in the industry to IFC, but show our commitment to providing viewers with documentaries that are unique and engaging.”
“Almost ten years ago, IFC was created to provide independent filmmakers a true voice,” Alison Bourke stated. “While both of these documentaries are vastly different, both share one common trait, they emphasize the true value of independent filmmaking. IFC’s original programming team is proud to be associated with these two projects and pleased each voice will be heard.”
- Now in postproduction, Slasher is directed by John Landis, his first foray into documentary filmmaking, and produced by Steve Cantor and Daniel Laikind of Stick Figure Productions. Shot in Memphis, Tennessee during 2004 Memorial Day Weekend, the documentary follows the man considered by many to be the greatest living used car salesman and chronicles his life in the business as he travels town to town, showing his innate talent for creating “slasher sales” and unloading vehicles other sale staffs are unable to sell. Landis, producers Cantor and Laikind, and car salesman-turned-producer Chris Koben were granted unrestricted access to this inimitable slice of Americana. Part circus sideshow, part con job, and part clinic on the world of business, the documentary gives viewers an insiders look at the tricks of the used car sales trade and provides a modernized version of the Arthur Miller’s Willie Loman character.
- Award winning filmmakers Lesli Klainberg and Gini Reticker have teamed up to direct In the Company of Women, exploring and celebrating women in independent film. Produced by Lisa Ades and Klainberg of Orchard Films, the film will focus on innovative and daring female directors, writers and actors who have challenged and transformed the portayal of women on screen. From classic coming of age stories (Dog Fight, Thirteen) to explosive sexuality (Secretary, Go Fish), the documentary will explore women’s views, values, sensibilities and concerns behind the scenes and on screen, and will chronicle the long history of the women who have participated in filmmaking outside of conventional Hollywood limitations. Interview participants include Allison Anders, Patricia Clarkson, Ileana Douglas, Jodie Foster, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Harron, Nicole Holofcener, Kimberly Peirce, Rosie Perez, Nancy Savoca, Lili Taylor, Marisa Tomei.
Today’s announcement comes after the successful launch of a number of documentary initiatives by IFC’s original programming team, including BaadAsssss Cinema, a 2002 documentary exploring the influence of 1970’s black exploitation films; With the Filmmaker: Portraits by Albert Maysles, a documentary series by celebrated documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles focusing on filmmakers and their personal visions; and Errol Morris’ First Person.
ABOUT IFC TELEVISION
The Independent Film Channel (IFC) is the first and most widely distributed channel dedicated to independent film 24 hours a day, uncut and commercial free. IFC continues to expand its programming lineup with original series and independent genre-focused specials. The network’s recent, critically acclaimed series and specials include Dinner For Five, BaadAsssss Cinema, The American Nightmare, Indie Sex: Taboos and A Decade Under the Influence.
IFC Television is a part of IFC Companies, which has created a unique end-to-end business model and brand that focuses on developing and nurturing talent, and maximizing the value of independent film. With a television network, a film distribution and production unit, and a VOD service, IFC Companies represents the future of independent film. IFC Companies uses its unique position to broaden the independent film audience nationwide and to expand the opportunities for independent filmmakers. IFC Companies is a division of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc.
ABOUT STICK FIGURE PRODUCTIONS
Stick Figure Productions is a New York City-based film company with a focus on both documentaries and narrative films. Founded in 1998 by Steve Cantor and Daniel Laikind, Stick Figure has produced award-winning films such as Bounce: Behind the Velvet Rope, Endsville, Devil’s Playground, and Willie Nelson: Still is Still Moving.
ABOUT ORCHARD FILMS
Award-winning filmmakers Lisa Ades and Lesli Klainberg are the founders of Orchard Films, a film production company dedicated to producing high quality documentaries and other non-fiction programming that engage, entertain and inform. Gini Reticker, who just finished producing A Decade Under the Influence, has joined Orchard Films for this project. Orchard projects include Miss America, a history of the Miss America Pageant which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival; Beauty in A Jar a ninety-minute documentary broadcast on A & E in May 2003; Directed by Alan Smithee a one-hour documentary which premiered on American Movie Classics in March 2002; and Indie Sex: Taboos, a one-hour documentary broadcast in July 2001 on IFC.