FilmRise has acquired U.S. rights to the Janis Joplin documentary “Janis: Little Girl Blue,” written and directed by Amy Berg.
Produced by Alex Gibney (“Going Clear”), the documentary tells the story of the iconic but troubled rock ‘n’ roll legend.
The documentary is largely told through Joplin’s own voice, as Berg uses rare personal and performance footage, previously unreleased letters, photos and audio, as well as interviews with friends and family. Letters she wrote to her parents have not been previously seen by the public.
FilmRise will release the film in New York on Nov. 27 and in additional cities in early December, with home media and digital following after. The doc will get its exclusive U.S. broadcast premiere on PBS’ “American Masters” series in 2016.
The film premiered at the 2015 Venice Film Festival and screened at the Toronto International FIlm Festival as well as the Deauville American Film Festival.
“Her searing portrait of Janis Joplin cements Amy as one of the premiere documentarians of all time,” said FilmRise CEO Danny Fisher. “The film is not only a study on this much-adored but deeply-troubled singer, but also a moving capsule of the 1960s as well as a modern reflection on celebrity and culture. We are honored to be releasing this film and know that audiences will connect with Janis’ story.”
Berg is an Academy Award-nominated director, whose credits include “Deliver Us From Evil,” “West of Memphis” and last year’s controversial Hollywood abuse expose, “An Open Secret.”
The film is narrated by Chan Marshall, with Jeffrey Jambol and Katherine LeBlond producing alongside Berg and Gibney. Executive producers on the film include Michael Kantor, Susan Lacy, Noah C. Haeussner, Stacy Offman and Michael Raimondi.