First Look at Roger Ebert Documentary Life Itself
HomeFirst Look at Roger Ebert Documentary Life Itself
Posted May 22, 2014 07:19 PM by Webmaster
Magnolia Pictures and Magnet Releasing have released the official U.S. trailer for director Steve James' Life Itself (2014), a documentary film about the acclaimed film critic Roger Ebert. The film will open in theaters across the country on July 4th.
Official synopsis: Life Itself, the first ever feature-length documentary on the life of Roger Ebert, covers the prolific critic's life journey from his days at the University of Illinois, to his move to Chicago where he became the first film critic ever to win the Pulitzer Prize, then to television where he and Gene Siskel became iconic stars, and finally to what Roger referred to as "his third act"; how he overcame disabilities wrought by cancer to became a major voice on the internet and through social media.
Director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) has conducted interviews with over two dozen people, including lifelong friends, professional colleagues, the first ever interview with Gene Siskel's wife, and filmmakers Errol Morris, Werner Herzog, Ramin Bahrani, Gregory Nava, Ava DuVernay, and Martin Scorsese, who is one of the executive producers along with Steven Zaillian.
"This movie is a love story really –– Roger's love for movies, for Chaz, and even in his own way, his love for Gene. Ultimately, though, it's a film about Roger's love for life itself." (Steve James).
Note: Also included with this announcement is a short message from acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, who executive produced Life Itself together with Justine Nagan, Kat White, Gordon Quinn, Steven Zaillian, and Mark Mitten.
Official synopsis: Life Itself, the first ever feature-length documentary on the life of Roger Ebert, covers the prolific critic's life journey from his days at the University of Illinois, to his move to Chicago where he became the first film critic ever to win the Pulitzer Prize, then to television where he and Gene Siskel became iconic stars, and finally to what Roger referred to as "his third act"; how he overcame disabilities wrought by cancer to became a major voice on the internet and through social media.
Director Steve James (Hoop Dreams) has conducted interviews with over two dozen people, including lifelong friends, professional colleagues, the first ever interview with Gene Siskel's wife, and filmmakers Errol Morris, Werner Herzog, Ramin Bahrani, Gregory Nava, Ava DuVernay, and Martin Scorsese, who is one of the executive producers along with Steven Zaillian.
"This movie is a love story really –– Roger's love for movies, for Chaz, and even in his own way, his love for Gene. Ultimately, though, it's a film about Roger's love for life itself." (Steve James).
Note: Also included with this announcement is a short message from acclaimed director Martin Scorsese, who executive produced Life Itself together with Justine Nagan, Kat White, Gordon Quinn, Steven Zaillian, and Mark Mitten.