to the Late, Iconoclastic Director
Kevin Spacey, Denis Leary, Johnny Depp, and Natalie Portman Among Two Dozen Film Personalities Who Share Remembrances and Anecdotes
NEW YORK, October 1, 2003 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC) announced today the continued expansion of its original programming slate for 2004 with In Search of Ted Demme, a touching and off-beat tribute to the late, iconoclastic director. The announcement was made today by Alison Bourke, Director of Original Programming for IFC and an Executive Producer of the film.
Written by Denis Leary and Richard LaGravenese, Executive Produced by Leary and Jim Serpico of Apostle Pictures, LaGravenese and Amanda Scheer-Demme, directed by John Walter, and produced by Jerry Kupfer of K2 Pictures, In Search of Ted Demme features clips from Demme’s films, along with remembrances from more than two-dozen film personalities. Their anecdotes include humorous and touching memories of their time spent with Demme, recounting of practical jokes and the almost universal feeling that once you became a friend of Ted Demme’s, you were friends for life.
“In Search of Ted Demme is a celebration of the life of someone who was adored by those who knew him and worked with him,” Bourke said. “In Search of Ted Demme is uniquely personal in its own right, with an off-beat humor that reflects Ted’s own sensibilities. As with all IFC Originals, In Search of Ted Demme is in keeping with our objective to bring some of the industry’s leading talent to IFC with new projects for our viewers to enjoy.”
LaGravenese (Erin Brockovich, The Fisher King, The Horse Whisperer) said, “Having known and loved Ted Demme, I feel confident in saying that he would find this tribute to be both hysterical and touching. We chose to honor his memory by creating a film that is as close as possible to being in his ‘voice,’ which is one that the film community sorely misses.”
Denis Leary said: “”This project is a labor of love. I’d like to think that if Ted were able to make a film about himself, it would look a lot like this.”
Among the many film personalities appearing in In Search of Ted Demme are David Arquette, Jerry Bruckheimer, Steve Buscemi, Lenny Clarke, Courteney Cox, Billy Crudup, Ellen Degeneres, Mike Deluca, Jonathan Demme, Dr. Dre, Forest Whitaker, Michael J. Fox, Gina Gershon, Balthazar Getty, Doug Herzog, Richard LaGravenese, Ricki Lake, Denis Leary, Ray Liotta, Ed Lover, Ken Ober, Vinnie Pastore, Robert Patrick, Natalie Portman, Colin Quinn, Michael Rappaport, Paul Reubens, Scott Rosenberg, Amanda Scheer-Demme, Martin Sheen, Stacey Sher, Joel Silver, Kevin Spacey, Dave Stewart, Jon Stewart, Harvey Weinstein
During his relatively brief but successful career, Ted Demme directed or produced more than a dozen films, including Blow, Beautiful Girls and The Ref.
In Search of Ted Demme will be released on the docudrama label on DVD from New Video.
Today’s announcement follows IFC’s recent introduction of two new documentaries for the 2003-04 programming season – John Landis’ Slasher and In the Company of Women. These new projects build on the success of IFC’s launch of a number of documentary initiatives in 2002, including BaadAsssss Cinema, a 2002 documentary exploring the influence of 1970’s black exploitation films. In August, IFC premiered A Decade Under the Influence. Directed by LaGravenese and Demme, the three-part documentary gives a comprehensive overview of American cinema during the 1970s and brings together the likes of film icons such as Clint Eastwood, Martin Scorsese, Robert Towne, Sydney Pollack, Robert Altman, Dennis Hopper, Pam Grier and others.
In Search of Ted Demme
An Apostle, K2 Pictures and AD Entertainment Production
Executive Producers: Amanda Scheer-Demme, Richard LaGravanese, Denis Leary and Jim
Serpico
Executive Producers: Alison Bourke and Ed Carroll
Co- Executive producer: Tom Sellitti
Producer: Jerry Kupfer
Co-Producer: Mike Scheer
Directed by John Walter
Written by Richard LaGravenese and Denis Leary
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.