Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Mark Sennet
Marina Zenovich reveals the highs and lows of the late comedian/actor.
Festival Section:
Documentary Premieres
Sundance Program Description:
When David Letterman saw a young Robin Williams perform stand-up, Letterman quipped, “It was like he could fly.” Williams’ boundless energy, lightning wit, and knack for comedic characters sparked a career on stage and screen unlike any other, making him one of the most beloved stars in modern entertainment. Marina Zenovich carefully collects a trove of intimate archival material and new interviews with Williams’ confidants (including Pam Dawber and Billy Crystal) to summon an intricate portrait of a man who needed an audience just as much as audiences needed someone like him.
Hilarious outtakes from MORK & MINDY and Williams’ films illustrate his legendary spontaneity and seemingly effortless humor, but also that his line between stage and life looked, at times, to be perilously thin. Outlandish and unpredictable, Williams gave his all to famously energetic performances that seemed to defy physics. The source of Williams’ comedy was everyday life, and this documentary highlights both his ability to touch so many people and how he earned his place as one of the funniest actors of his generation.
Some Background:
Director/Executive Producer:
Past Sundance docs:
WATER & POWER: A CALIFORNIA HEIST (2017)
ROMAN POLANSKI: WANTED AND DESIRED (2008, US Documentary Editing Award)
Zenovich is a two-time Emmy winner who also previously directed a portrait of another late comedy icon, RICHARD PRYOR: OMIT THE LOGIC.
Producers:
Past Sundance docs:
CITY OF GHOSTS (2017)
WATER & POWER: A CALIFORNIA HEIST
THE NEW YORKER PRESENTS (2016, director/executive producer)
GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF (2015, director/producer)
FINDING FELA! (2014, director/producer)
HISTORY OF THE EAGLES PART ONE (2013, producer)
WE STEAL SECRETS: THE STORY OF WIKILEAKS (2013, director/producer)
MAGIC TRIP (2011, director/producer)
CASINO JACK AND THE UNITED STATES OF MONEY (2010, director/producer)
GONZO: THE LIFE AND WORK OF DR HUNTER S THOMPSON (2008, director/producer)
NO END IN SIGHT (2007, executive producer)
WHO KILLED THE ELECTRIC CAR? (2006, consulting producer)
ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM (2005, director/producer)
THE BLUES (2003, producer)
The prolific Jigsaw Pictures Oscar-winning director/producer also recently worked with Zenovich on the docuseries PARCHED for NatGeo.
Past Sundance docs:
(T)ERROR (2015, co-producer)
THE HOUSE I LIVE IN (2012, co-producer)
REAGAN (2011, associate producer)
Kozak is also a co-producer of 2018 Special Events screening THE KING.
Associate Producer:
Dettmore has worked in research and production for past Jigsaw Pictures productions. This marks her first Sundance credit.
Senior Producer:
Past Sundance docs:
CRIES FROM SYRIA (2017)
NOTHING LEFT UNSAID: GLORIA VANDERBILT & ANDERSON COOPER (2016)
PRIVATE VIOLENCE (2014)
LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM (2013)
MANHUNT: THE SEARCH FOR OSAMA BIN LADEN (2013, executive producer)
MARINA ABRAMOVIC THE ARTIST IS PRESENT (2012, executive producer)
ETHEL (2012, producer)
BOBBY FISCHER AGAINST THE WORLD (2011)
THE FENCE (short) (2010)
PROM NIGHT IN MISSISSIPPI (2009, supervising producer)
SERGIO (2009)
SHOUTING FIRE: STORIES FROM THE EDGE OF FREE SPEECH (2009, executive producer)
ROMAN POLANSKI: WANTED AND DESIRED
THE RECRUITER (2008, co-producer)
The HBO EVP has recently been named as the incoming co-head of HBO Documentary and Family Programming, together with Lisa Heller, replacing Sheila Nevins upon the latter’s retirement sometime early this year.
Executive Producers:
Recent past Sundance docs:
CRIES FROM SYRIA
UNLOCKING THE CAGE (2016)
JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY (2016)
MAPPLETHORPE: LOOK AT THE PICTURES (2016)
SUITED (2016)
BECOMING MIKE NICHOLS (2016)
NOTHING LEFT UNSAID: GLORIA VANDERBILT & ANDERSON COOPER
GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF
LARRY KRAMER IN LOVE & ANGER (2015)
KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK (2015)
THE JINX: THE LIFE AND DEATHS OF ROBERT DURST (2015)
The HBO Documentary Films head recently announced her impending retirement after 38 years with the company.
Steinberg was Robin Williams’ manager for 35 years.
Past Sundance docs:
GOING CLEAR (producer)
Vaurio has worked with Gibney on several other projects, including the documentary MEA MAXIMA CUPLA and the docuseries COOKED.
Co-Executive Producers:
Past Sundance docs:
CITY OF GHOSTS
WATER & POWER
THE NEW YORKER PRESENTS
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS OSAMA BIN LADEN? (2008, producer)
Jigsaw Productions’ SVP of production and development has executive produced several of Gibney’s docs and series, most recently including ROLLING STONE: STORIES FROM THE EDGE, PARCHED and THE KILLING SEASON.
Past Sundance docs:
WATER & POWER
THE NEW YORKER PRESENTS
The Jigsaw Productions’ COO and EVP of production also served as producer for Sundance narrative alumni projects, including SUPER TROOPERS (2001).
Editors:
Past Sundance docs:
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO DICK CHENEY (2013, director/editor)
WAITING FOR “SUPERMAN” (2010)
IT MIGHT GET LOUD (2009)
Finton also cut Zenovich’s ESPN doc FANTASTIC LIES.
This marks Das’ first Sundance credit.
Assistant Editors:
Witterschein and DiMare have both had post-production experience with past Sundance titles, including UNDER THE GUN (2016) and WATER & POWER.
Why You Should Watch:
Combined with the reflections of Williams’ inner circle, Zenovich resurrects the legendary performer through an expert use of archival material, ably reminding audiences of his irrepressible comic genius.
More Info:
For Sundance screening dates and times, click the film title in the first paragraph.
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