EXCLUSIVE: Billy Idol Should Be Dead has found an international distributor following screenings at Tribeca and Sheffield Doc Fest earlier this year.
Fremantle has boarded the feature doc about music star Billy Idol and taken international sales (outside the U.S.). It has been shopping if this week at MIPCOM.
The doc, from Swedish filmmaker Jonas Åkerlund, is billed as an “intimate, no-holds-barred portrait of the legendary punk musician, told by those who know him best, including Idol himself.” Live Nation Studios is the production house, with Michael Rapino and J. Ralph the exec producers. Violaine Etienne, Akerlund, Orian Williams, Mark Monroe, Ryan Kroft, Jessica James Batista, Laurence Freedman and China Chow are among the producers.
The doc weaves never-before-seen archival footage with revealing interviews featuring Idol, his bandmates, family and fellow music artists such as Miley Cyrus and Green Day lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong.
It chronicles his anarchic punk beginnings to superstardom in the MTV era, when he had hits such as “White Wedding” and “Rebel Yell.” The film reveals Idol’s near-death experiences and provides access to the likes of his late mother Joan, longtime girlfriend Perri Lister and all three of his children. It also reveals how a DNA test led to Idol discovering his long-lost son, Bryant.
The director, GRammy award winner Åkerlund, is best known for music videos for major artists such as Madonna, Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and Paul McCartney.
Kyle Harris, Vice President, Acquisitions, International, Fremantle, said: “This feature length documentary delves into the raw, riveting life of one of rock’s most iconic rebels. We’re excited to be partnering with Live Nation to bring the untold story of Billy Idol to an international audience.”
Ryan Kroftt, Head of Film & Television, Live Nation Studios, added that “Idol’s epic story is one of global proportions,” and added, “Now with our extraordinary partners at Fremantle the world will get to see it.”
Fremantle’s global documentary slate includes the likes of It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley, DEVO, Once Upon A Time In Space,The Zelensky Story and the recently announce Luca: Seeing Red and The Beatle and The Bass (w/t), which features Paul McCartney. Fremantle has more than documentary labels, and produces in over 12 territories.
