Sony Pictures Classics picks up Demme’s “Neil Young Journeys”

October 12, 2011 by Adam Benzine

Sony Pictures Classics (SPC) has acquired worldwide rights, excluding Latin America, for Neil Young Journeys (pictured), Jonathan Demme’s latest documentary on the legendary Canadian folkster.

The doc, from Shakey Pictures and Clinica Estetico, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last month. In making the film, Oscar-winner Demme followed Young this May as the singer drove from his hometown of Omemee, Ontario to downtown Toronto’s iconic Massey Hall, to play the last two nights of his solo world tour.

The film is Demme’s third documentary on Young, and the deal marks the third partnership between Demme and SPC, following the 2007 doc Jimmy Carter Man from Plains and 2008′s Anne Hathaway-starring drama Rachel Getting Married.

“I’m joyful about SPC becoming the distributor of Neil Young Journeys,” said Demme. “I had a blast working with them on Rachel Getting Married recently so this is just a great homecoming for me.”

SPC negotiated the deal with Young’s longtime manager, Elliot Roberts. Demme and Elliot Rabinowitz produced the film, with Declan Quinn serving as director of photography. Demme is represented by WME.

Tags: Anne Hathaway, Clinica Estetico, Jimmy Carter Man from Plains, Jonathan Demme, Neil Young, Neil Young Journeys, Neil Young Life, Rachel Getting Married, Shakey Pictures, TIFF

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