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The Doc is In, academy awards, hbo, thinkfilm, roman polanski

Distributor Rescues Roman Polanski Doc From Theatrical Siberia, Preps For Oscar

ThinkFilm today announced its acquisition of theatrical and DVD rights to the documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, which made as many headlines recently for its acclaimed Sundance run as for being dumped in New York and Pasadena for a week by its Oscar-craving original buyers at HBO. The cable network retains the broadcast rights, planning a June 9 premiere ahead of ThinkFilm's July 11 theatrical release. We know what you're thinking — a TV premiere before theatrical? But it's not that unusual, and it can only help in the awards push sure to come.

As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, when HBO has broadcast previous ThinkFilm releases ahead of time, the theatrical runs suffered from a lack of reviews; with Wanted and Desired headed to Cannes, however, and The New York Times already having reviewed its short New York run, ThinkFilm president Mark Urman said he isn't worrying about it. Moreover, with ThinkFilm coming off a Best Documentary Oscar win with Taxi to the Dark Side, look for Wanted and Desired to jump near the top the early '08 Oscar nominee short list overnight — if it hasn't already. Somehow we doubt Ben Stein's Yoko-tweaking right-wing hit Expelled will be in the running come January.

ThinkFilm picks up 'Roman Polanski' rights [THR]

3:30 PM on Wed Apr 30 2008
By STV
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CherylGerbil at 05:28 PM on 04/30/08
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Comment on Distributor Rescues Roman Polanski Doc From Theatrical Siberia, Preps For Oscar Doesn't premiering on TV disqualify a film from Oscar contention? This was the rationale behind Linda Fiorentino not getting a nomination for, The Last Seduction. I believe this has tripped others up recently as well. RSaunders
uncle_wiggly at 07:14 PM on 04/30/08
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It's odd that only pseudo independent studio executives would think that the concept of Roman being the victim would be a compelling subject for a documentary. Despite 40 years of trying, no one else is buying it.
rajmahall at 07:16 PM on 04/30/08
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Whatevs, I already made my own film about Polanksi:

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STV at 05:41 AM on 05/02/08
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@CherylGerbil: HBO gave the film its requisite one-week qualifying run in theaters last month in New York and LA, so technically it is not premiering on TV.