or


[08/04/10 - 02:16 PM]
HBO Unveils a Diverse Slate of Thought-Provoking Documentary Films for the Second Half of 2010
MY TRIP TO AL-QAEDA, THE FENCE and TEENAGE PAPARAZZO are all due in September.

[via press release from HBO]

HBO UNVEILS A DIVERSE SLATE OF THOUGHT-PROVOKING DOCUMENTARY FILMS FOR THE SECOND HALF OF 2010

Presentations Include Spike Lee's IF GOD IS WILLING AND DA CREEK DON'T RISE, Alex Gibney's MY TRIP TO AL-QAEDA, Adrian Grenier's TEENAGE PAPARAZZO, Jon Alpert and Ellen Goosenberg Kent's WARTORN: 1861-2010, Executive Produced By James Gandolfini, And Randy Barbato And Fenton Bailey's WISHFUL DRINKING, Adapting Carrie Fisher's Hit Stage Production

NEW YORK, Aug. 4, 2010 - HBO Documentary Films has scheduled a compelling array of diverse, timely and thought-provoking films to debut on HBO in the coming months. Highlights include a trip back to New Orleans in Spike Lee's IF GOD IS WILLING AND DA CREEK DON'T RISE, a look at celebrity culture in Adrian Grenier's TEENAGE PAPARAZZO and a study of the effects of post-traumatic stress on military personnel and their families in Jon Alpert & Matthew O'Neill's WARTORN: 1861-2010, from executive producer James Gandolfini.

Upcoming HBO documentaries include (in chronological order):

IF GOD IS WILLING AND DA CREEK DON'T RISE (debuting Aug. 23 and 24), an all-new, four-hour documentary, follows director Spike Lee five years after Hurricane Katrina as he returns to New Orleans to see how the ambitious plans to reinvent the Crescent City are playing out. He finds a patchwork of hope and heartache in a story book-ended by a pair of momentous events � the historic 2010 Super Bowl victory and the disastrous British Petroleum oil spill � that changed the history of America's most unique city once again.

MY TRIP TO AL-QAEDA (Sept. 7), a collaboration between Oscar(R)-winning director Alex Gibney (HBO's "Taxi to the Dark Side") and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist Lawrence Wright, brings Wright's acclaimed one-man play to the screen. Developed from Wright's 2006 best-selling book "The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11," the film is an emotional journey performed by Wright, chronicling fundamentalist Islam's rise to power and the dilemma he faces as a writer in maintaining his objectivity.

THE FENCE (Sept. 16), the latest film from Rory Kennedy (HBO's Emmy(R)-winning "Ghosts of Abu Ghraib"), which premiered at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, investigates the impact of the 700-mile fence that was built by the U.S. government along the 2000-mile-plus Mexican border, and has involved 350 engineers, thousands of construction workers, tens of thousands of tons of metal and billions of dollars since 2006. It reveals how the fence's stated goals - containing illegal immigration, cracking down on drug trafficking and protecting America from terrorists - have given way to unforeseen, even absurd consequences, asking the question: Was it all worth it?

TEENAGE PAPARAZZO (Sept. 27) chronicles the relationship between 14-year-old paparazzo Austin Visschedyk and Adrian Grenier, star of the HBO series "Entourage." Inspired by a chance encounter with Visschedyk, Grenier turns the cameras on him in an effort to document this unique teenager's world. But the actor-director soon finds the project becoming a personal challenge, as he is forced to take responsibility for his influence on his subject's life. Ultimately, the film is an intimate look at paparazzi and the celebrity culture they serve.

SINS OF MY FATHER (Oct. 4) tells the fascinating inside story of Pablo Escobar, the most notorious drug lord in Colombian history, through the eyes of Sebastian Marroquin, his only son, who changed his name and fled Colombia after his father's death. For the first time in more than a decade, Marroquin and his mother, Maria Victoria, break their silence in deeply personal interviews, while never-before-seen pictures and home movies from the Escobar archive paint an intimate portrait of their family life. The documentary also provides an up-close view of Marroquin's efforts at reconciliation with the men whose prominent political fathers were killed by Escobar 20 years ago. Directed by Nicolas Entel.

MONICA & DAVID (Oct. 14) explores the marriage of two adults with Down syndrome and the parents who strive to support their needs. Full of humor, romance and everyday family drama, the film weaves together intimate footage and personal interviews, beginning with Monica and David's storybook wedding and chronicling their challenging first year of marriage in pursuit of an independent life together. Winner of the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival Best Documentary Feature Award, the film was directed by first-time filmmaker Alexandra Codina.

WARTORN: 1861-2010 (Nov. 11) explores combat stress and post-traumatic stress in the military throughout American history, chronicling its effect on military personnel and their families. Directed by Jon Alpert and Ellen Goosenberg Kent and executive produced by James Gandolfini (HBO's "Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq").

PUBLIC SPEAKING (November) is a conversation with New York writer Fran Lebowitz about her experiences and views of the world, spotlighting her trademark humor. Directed by Oscar(R)-winner Martin Scorsese and produced by Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter.

WISHFUL DRINKING (December), a feature-length adaptation of Hollywood icon Carrie Fisher's hit autobiographical stage production, tells the intoxicating tale of her life, combining her raucous one-woman stage performance, interviews with family and friends and archival footage. Produced and directed by World of Wonder's Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey.





  [august 2010]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[07/11/25 - 12:45 PM]
ABC Concludes September to May Season with Top Five Shows Among Adults 18-49 Including "High Potential," "Abbott Elementary," "The Rookie," "Shifting Gears" and "9-1-1"
Continuing to lead among broadcast series, ABC's "High Potential" stood as the No. 1 new drama among Total Viewers (16.41 million) and No. 1 new show among Adults 18-49 (3.85 rating).

[07/11/25 - 11:28 AM]
"Big Brother: Summer of Mystery" Premiere Up +10% from Last Summer
Last night, season 27 premiered to nearly 3 million viewers.

[07/11/25 - 10:01 AM]
FX's "Alien: Earth" Takes Fandom to New Heights with Premium Exclusive Content Including a Companion Podcast and Innovative Immersive Experiences
"Alien: Earth," a new drama series from Noah Hawley inspired by the acclaimed feature film franchise, will premiere on Tuesday, August 12.

[07/11/25 - 10:01 AM]
CBS Unveils Fall Primetime Premiere Dates for the 2025-2026 Season
Highlights include an early return for "Watson" on Monday, October 13 in place of the previously announced "FBI" spin-off "CIA."

[07/11/25 - 10:00 AM]
The "Outlander" Universe Expands in Hall H, as Starz Returns to San Diego Comic-Con
Look for can't miss panels for "Outlander" and "Outlander: Blood of my Blood" in Hall H on Friday, July 25 and an in-depth preview of the newest saga in the Spartacus franchise, "Spartacus: House of Ashur" on Saturday, July 26 in the Indigo Ballroom.

[07/11/25 - 10:00 AM]
Adult Swim Returns to San Diego Comic-Con with "Pirate Purrrty on the Green," Must-See Panel Events, and Exclusive First Looks and Giveaways
Adult Swim will bring its famed pirate ship outside the San Diego Convention Center (5th Avenue Landing and Convention Way), this time with a feline twist!

[07/11/25 - 09:01 AM]
HBO Max to Host Fan Experiences for Upcoming Seasons of "Peacemaker" and "It: Welcome to Derry" in San Diego
The festivities include a panel in Hall H, where showrunner/writer/director and Co-Head of DC Studios James Gunn and the cast of "Peacemaker" will share new details about the upcoming season and premiere the global trailer for season two.

[07/11/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Billy Joel: And So It Goes" - Official Trailer - HBO Max
There's always a message in the music.

[07/11/25 - 06:00 AM]
"Love Island (UK)" 10th Anniversary Special Date Announcement
The special premieres in the US on Friday, July 11.

[07/11/25 - 02:01 AM]
Netflix Will Release "Death Inc." Seasons 1, 2 and 3
The series is a comedy centered around a family-run funeral home and the relationships between the eccentric characters who inhabit it.

[07/11/25 - 12:01 AM]
"Too Hot to Handle: Italy" Is Coming on July 18 Only on Netflix
A special guest will guide the contestants in the first Italian edition of the reality show.

[07/10/25 - 07:01 PM]
Video: "The Winning Try" - Official Trailer - Netflix
After his career fell apart, a disgraced rugby star finds purpose coaching his old school's team - driving them and himself toward growth and redemption.

[07/10/25 - 07:01 PM]
Video: "The Nice Guy" - Teaser Trailer #3 - Disney+
He wants out for good. But the past comes with strings.

[07/10/25 - 05:03 PM]
Meagan Good Returns to Lifetime to Executive Produce and Star in the Alluring New Thriller "I'll Never Let You Go" Alongside Antonio Cupo and Thomas Cadrot, Premiering August 16 on Lifetime
Good stars as Emily Westover, a poised and successful art gallery director whose life takes a dark turn after a brief, impulsive affair with a magnetic Italian artist, Carlo (Cupo).

[07/10/25 - 12:01 PM]
"Virgin River" Is Returning for Season 8
"On behalf of myself and the whole 'Virgin River' family, we're eternally grateful to Netflix and to the fans for allowing us to continue on this journey with these beloved characters," said showrunner Patrick Sean Smith.