Happy birthday, Bob Marley! As a gift, Magnolia Pictures has acquired the rights to Marley, a documentary biopic on the legendary musician that has been directed by Oscar winner Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, One Day In September). The company announced the acquisition in a press release.
“This documentary is the ultimate revelation of my father’s life,” said Ziggy Marley, who served as an executive producer on the film. “The family is proud to be able to have the world finally experience this emotional journey."
Marley will hold its World Premiere at the 62nd Berlin Film Festival later this month. It will have its North American premiere at next month’s South By Southwest film festival. Magnolia then will open the documentary in theaters on Friday, April 20, launching day and date with all VOD and digital platforms.
The family’s support of Macdonald’s vision makes Marley worth seeing. The director reportedly had access to rare footage, archival photos, performance footage and interviews with the late musician’s family, friends, and bandmates.
“Bob Marley is a fascinating, towering figure in musical history, and Marley is the biography that he deserves,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles.
I’d line up to see Marley just for the soundtrack. But with the promise of the Marley family opening up the vaults on unseen footage and insights, that moves Macdonald’s doc to the top of my want-to-see list at SXSW in March. What do you think? Are you interested in this visionary’s life? Will you see Marley when it opens near you?
