Next up in Special Events: Eddie Schmidt’s CHELSEA DOES, a preview of the new Chelsea Handler-led Netflix docuseries.
Festival Section:
Special Events
Sundance Program Description:
This four-part feature documentary series from Netflix features best-selling author, talk show host, and stand-up comedian Chelsea Handler as she explores topics of personal fascination: marriage, racism, drugs, and Silicon Valley. She’s no expert in these areas, but that won’t stop her from digging in. Bringing her signature brand of humor and unfiltered opinions with her – she challenges convention – she goes there. CHELSEA DOES is directed by Academy Award-nominated Eddie Schmidt and is executive produced by Chelsea Handler and Academy Award-winning director Morgan Neville.
The Festival debuts CHELSEA DOES MARRIAGE, with Chelsea Handler traveling to different places to get the best answers about everything that comes with marriage. Through conversations with her father, her ex-boyfriend, young children, and the former CEO of Ashley Madison and his wife, among others. We see her open up and talk about her own relationships, calibrating who she is and where she falls on this topic along the way.
The screening is followed by a conversation and Q&A with Chelsea Handler, Eddie Schmidt, and Morgan Neville.
Some Background:
Director/Executive Producer: Eddie Schmidt
The Oscar and Emmy-nominated Schmidt is a Sundance alumnus, having previously produced VALENTINE ROAD (2013), TROUBADOURS (2011), THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED (2006), TWIST OF FAITH (2005), and CHAIN CAMERA (2001).
Producers: Rich Buhrman, Gary Snoonian, Dara Horenblas, and Brian Murphy
Buhrman is an Emmy- and Peabody Award-winning producer for television, whose credits include several of Magical Elves’ most successful series, such as PROJECT RUNWAY and TOP CHEF.
Snoonian was a co-executive producer of Handler’s popular series, CHELSEA LATELY.
Horenblas previously produced Sundance short film alum YOU DON’T KNOW JACK (2013), as well as several other Warrior Poets productions.
Murphy’s past credits include documentary and reality television programming for Netflix, MTV, VH1, Lifetime, and TLC.
Executive Producers: Chelsea Handler, Morgan Neville, Lisa Nishimura, and Adam Del Deo
Handler is a comedian, actress, and author, best known for her talk show, CHELSEA LATELY, which ran from 2007-2014.
The Oscar-winning Neville previously brought his docs BEST OF ENEMIES (2015), 20 FEET FROM STARDOM (2013), and TROUBADOURS to the festival.
Netflix’s Nishimura and Del Deo executive produced Sundance alumni WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE? (2015, Oscar nominated), THE BATTERED BASTARDS OF BASEBALL (2014), E-TEAM (2014), MITT (2014), and THE SQUARE (2013, Oscar-nominated)
Editors: Paul Marchand and Jason Zeldes
Among his many projects, Marchand previously cut Park City alum GOOD HAIR (2009), while Zeldes previously edited alumni RACING EXTINCTION (2015) and 20 FEET FROM STARDOM.
Why You Should Watch:
Festival audiences will get a sneak peek at the series before it debuts on Saturday, January 23, which showcases Handler’s irreverent humor – and surprising vulnerability – while each episode’s feature length affords the comedian more time and space to delve into topics on a deeper level.
More Info:
Trailer
For Sundance screening date and time, click the link in the first paragraph.
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