Showtime nabs “Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out”

November 1, 2012 by Adam Benzine

American cable network Showtime has acquired the U.S. TV rights for Marina Zenovich’s documentary Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out (pictured), which it will air next year.

The doc, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, examines the controversial and celebrated titular filmmaker, recounting his arrest in 2009 at the Zurich Film Festival, which developed into a 10-month imprisonment.

Odd Man Out serves as a follow-up to Zenovich’s previous film, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, which won Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for Non-fiction Programming and Outstanding Directing for Non-fiction Programming.

“Showtime’s enthusiasm for the film and track record with controversial biographical material makes it the perfect partner for Odd Man Out,” said Zenovich, who narrates as well as directs the doc.

The film was written by P.G. Morgan, Chris A. Peterson and Zenovich; and is being produced by Lila Yacoub and Zenovich. The exec producers include Steven Soderbergh, Randy Wooten, Michael Roban and Stephan Paternot.

In addition, Showtime has confirmed a title for Zenovich’s forthcoming documentary on late comedian Richard Pryor, which is being made for BBC ‘Storyville’ in the UK as well as Showtime, as previously reported.

The doc is to be called Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic, and promises to be the definitive look at the comedian’s life and legacy, featuring exclusive access to widow Jennifer Lee Pryor and the Pryor Estate. The doc is also slated to air on the network in 2013.

Tags: BBC Storyville, Lila Yacoub, Marina Zenovich, Michael Roban, Randy Wooten, Richard Pryor, Richard Pryor: Omit the Logic, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, Showtime, Stephan Paternot, Steven Soderbergh, TIFF

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