Phase 4 Films has acquired North American distribution rights to Ron Howard‘s first documentary “Made in America,” which follows Jay Z through the planning of an unprecedented concert event, the company announced Friday.
The Brian Grazer-produced film, which will be released next summer, features world-famous musicians such as Drake, Pearl Jam, Run DMC, The Hive, Passion Pit, Calvin Harris, Janelle Monáe and Skrillex.
CAA brokered the U.S. rights deal on behalf of the filmmakers, while the Canadian rights were handled by The Exchange. Showtime has the exclusive television rights.
Also Read: Jay-Z Documentary ‘Made in America’ Lands With Showtime
“Made in America” tells the story of rapper-turned-mogul Jay Z’s journey to plan a genre-defying festival intended to uplift the American people in the depths of an economic recession. Held in Philadelphia, the concert features epic cross-genre performances, including Run DMC’s first live performance since the death of DJ Jam Master Jay in 2002, accompanied by Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder. Nearly 80,000 people attended the festival, which grossed $5 million in ticket sales and injected more than $10 million into the Philadelphia economy.
“Made in America” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. It was produced by Imagine Entertainment, Marcy Media and RadicalMedia in association with Participant Media.
Also Read: Cameron Diaz to Play Miss Hannigan in Will Smith and Jay-Z’s ‘Annie’ Remake
“This is not a concert film but rather a reflection of the fabric of what it means to be ‘Made in America’ – what the festival represents, why Jay is doing it, and how he relates to each artist,” said Howard. “‘Made In America’ is intended to showcase Jay Z’s struggle for success and illustrate how he has become a voice and an icon for a generation of driven and creative youth.”
“We are thrilled to release this amazing film,” said Berry Meyerowitz, president/CEO of Phase 4 Films. “‘Made In America’ is an uplifting and inspiring piece, not just for its musical performances but for the energy and resilience that it portrays.”