Usain Bolt Documentary Teams With Independent Film Sales
LONDON — Andrew Orr’s Independent Film Sales has come on board to sell the previously announced feature documentary about Jamaican runner Usain Bolt. Independent will be introducing the film to buyers at the Berlin Film Festival with a promo screening.
The film will be produced by Fulwell 73 — directed by Gabe and Ben Turner, and produced by Leo Pearlman — the team behind documentaries “Class of 92,” which centered on former Manchester United soccer players, and “One Direction: This is Us,” which grossed $70 million.
Executive producers on the project are Doyen, who previously collaborated with Fulwell 73 on “Class of 92.” Principal photography on the film started in May in Jamaica, following Bolt through his training and preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he’ll attempt to win gold for the third time.
Orr said: “Having worked with Ben and Gabe Turner since their documentary ‘In the Hands of the Gods,’ we can’t wait to bring this film about Usain Bolt, the fastest man on earth, to market. The Turners have spent the last two years following this true icon through his training and preparation as he attempts to accomplish this most amazing record in Rio 2016. 2016 is going to be the year of Usain Bolt and this film will be a thrilling insight into his journey.”
Pearlman said: “To get the chance to make a feature doc about the world’s greatest ever athlete is a once-in-a-life-time opportunity and to do so during what will be the Games that defines and enshrines that legacy makes it extra special. This is Usain Bolt’s ‘When We Were Kings,’ and so to realize that ambition, we needed a sales team on board that understood the scope and scale of what we intended to achieve, and in Independent we believe we have that.”
Locations will include Jamaica, Rio, U.K., U.S. and European locations. Executive producers are Simon Oliveira, Nelio Lucas and Matt Kay (Doyen), Ricky Simms (PACE Sports Management), Nugent Walker (UB Management) and financed by Doyen and Fulwell 73 Ltd.
The global theatrical release is a second collaboration between Fulwell 73 and Doyen following the success of “Class of 92.” Doyen is one of the leading agencies and investment companies in the collaboration of sports and entertainment, and it works alongside some of the biggest names in sport including David Beckham, Neymar Jnr, Alvaro Morata, Boris Becker and Xavi.
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