New York — SnagFilms announced today the acquisition of domestic distribution rights to the two most honored documentaries of 2012: The House I Live In, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and Beware of Mr. Baker, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at South by Southwest Film Festival.
The House I Live In, directed by Eugene Jarecki (Why We Fight, Reagan), tells the stories of individuals at all levels of America’s war on drugs. From the dealer to the narcotics officer, the inmate to the federal judge, the film offers a penetrating look inside America’s criminal justice system, revealing the profound human rights implications of U.S. drug policy.
Beware of Mr. Baker, directed by Jay Bulger, is an intimate look at legendary drummer Ginger Baker, best known for his work with Eric Clapton in Cream and Blind Faith. Considered by many to be the world’s best drummer, this controversial and unforgettable musician reflects back on his life along with interviews with Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Steve Winwood, Charlie Watts, Max Weinberg and many more.
Digital distribution is expected to cover key pay platforms and eventual ad-supported release on SnagFilms. Richard Abramowitz’s Abramorama will handle theatrical releasing for both films.
“We’ve heard a lot about Dream Teams recently,” said Rick Allen, SnagFilms CEO. “But the year’s top two documentary winners, plus six time-honored titles, constitute the Doc Dream Team. We are honored to be bringing them to wide audiences.”
The House I Live In was directed and written by Eugene Jarecki and produced by Jarecki and Melinda Shopsin. Executive Producers are Danny Glover, Nick Fraser, John Legend, Russell Simmons, Joslyn Barnes and Sally Jo Fifer.
Beware of Mr. Baker was directed and written by Jay Bulger and produced by Andrew Karsch, Fisher Stevens and Erik Gordon, executive producer Julie Goldman.
In addition to these two award-winning titles, SnagFilms has also acquired a slate of six acclaimed films, including Academy Award-winners Harlan County USA and American Dream; the Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award-winner Waco: The Rules of Engagement; Peabody and Critics Choice Award winner The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg; Sundance Film Festival Audience Award winner Fuel and the critically-acclaimed Yoo-Hoo, Mrs. Goldberg. SnagFilms’ digital rights are exclusive for certain pay, SVOD and ad-supported platforms to commence in the coming months.
These announcements come on the heels of a string of major 2012 acquisitions by the new media platform and distributor, which have seen it add films with over 200 major awards or nominations to its library of over 3300 films. The company has increasingly taken premiering films, including the upcoming theatrical and digital release of Decoding Deepak, Gotham Chopra’s new film about his father Deepak Chopra, and The Black Tulip from filmmaker Sonia Nassery Cole, plus the upcoming digital premieres of Faces in the Mirror from musician Boyd Tinsley and We Made This Movie from The Late Show with David Letterman executive producer Rob Burnett.