HBO Documentary Films has released the schedule of premieres of upcoming documentaries in a January 13, 2012 press release. Highligts inclume "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," a look at the West Memphis 3 murder case; "The Union," about the musica collaboration between Elton John and Leon Russell; and "The Weight of the Nation," a groudbreaking series about the contemporary obesity epidemic.
Upcoming HBO documentaries include (in chronological order):
PARADISE LOST 3: PURGATORY (debuted January 12) revisits the controversial case of the 1993 West Memphis child murders. Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, were incarcerated for the 1993 West Memphis child murders, which they maintain they did not commit. Film directors Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky previously chronicled the fight to prove their innocence in the award-winning HBO documentaries “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills” (1996) and “Paradise Lost 2: Revelations” (2000). Paradise Lost: Purgatory the story of the West Memphis 3 on HBO
THE UNION (February. 2) is an unprecedented look at the creative life of Elton John and his remarkable collaborative album with his early-career idol, Leon Russell, produced by award-winning music producer T Bone Burnett. Never before filmed in his composing process, Elton John is captured by Crowe in this candid portrait of one of the world’s most treasured artists and performers. The documentary was started in November, 2009, the and chronicles the entire writing and recording process of “The Union,” the acclaimed album John made with Russell. Directed by Cameron Crowe (“Almost Famous,” “Jerry Maguire”). The Union shows collaboration between Elton John and Leon Russell
THE LOVING STORY (February 14) recounts the little-known struggle of Mildred (who was part-black and part-Native American) and Richard (who was white) Loving, whose marriage was declared illegal in 1958 by their home state of Virginia. Jailed and unable to live legally in their home state, the Lovings fought back and changed history with the historic 1967 Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia, which overturned bans on interracial marriage in 16 states. Directed by Nancy Buirski.
SAVING FACE (March 8) spotlights Dr. Mohammad Jawad, a British cosmetic surgeon to the stars, as he travels to his homeland in Pakistan to treat survivors of radically disfiguring acid attacks, the majority of whom are women targeted by family members. The film also follows one of his patients as she becomes involved with women in the Pakistani parliament to address the issue of acid violence on a national level. A film by Daniel Junge and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy.
GOD IS THE BIGGER ELVIS (April) tells the story of Dolores Hart, a former Hollywood starlet who turned her back on fame and became a nun. Hart appeared in films with Elvis Presley, Montgomery Clift and Anthony Quinn, but abandoned her career to become a Benedictine nun in 1963 at age 23. Now Mother Prioress of the cloistered Abbey of Regina Laudis, in Bethlehem, Ct., Hart reveals her life, past and present, with grace and humor in this unique documentary. Directed by Rebecca Camissa. Actress turned nun tells story in God is the Bigger Elvis
THE WEIGHT OF THE NATION (May), is a look at the contemporary obesity epidemic, developed in partnership with the country’s leading research institutions. Three years in the making, the multi-part, multi-platform series sheds new light on the facts and myths of this urgent public health problem, showing how obesity affects the health of the nation and cripples the health-care system. Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and arthritis are just some of the diseases directly linked to obesity, and these disorders will dramatically increase if the status quo continues.
Upcoming HBO2 documentaries include (in chronological order):
IN TAHRIR SQUARE: 18 DAYS OF EGYPT’S UNFINISHED REVOLUTION (January 25) chronicles the early-2011 people-powered revolt in Egypt's Tahrir Square that brought down President Hosni Mubarak and changed Egypt forever. From Emmy®-winning filmmakers Jon Alpert and Matthew O’Neill, this documentary short is a from-the-frontlines look at what would become the largest revolt in Egypt’s history. HBO film In Tahrir Square captures revolution in Egypt
RAISING RENEE (February 22) tells the story of accomplished, charismatic painter Beverly Mciver and her promise to take care of her mentally handicapped sister, Renee, when their mother Ethel dies. Filmed over the course of six years, the film explores themes of family, race, class, disability and art. Directed and produced by Oscar® nominees Jeanne Jordan and Steven Ascher.
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