Magnolia Pictures has announced that they have acquired North American rights to Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me, the definitive documentary about the beloved and influential ’70s rock band Big Star. Directed by Drew DeNicola and Oliva Mori, the film was produced by Mori and Danielle McCarthy, executive-produced by John Fry, founder of Ardent Studios, with Gill Holland and David Armillei, and co-produced by Brian Sprouse.
Founded in Memphis by Chris Bell, and fronted by rock legend Alex Chilton, the original Big Star lineup also featured Jody Stephens and Andy Hummel. Together less than four years, the band flirted with mainstream success but never achieved it. Nonetheless, they produced a body of work of seminal importance to pop and alternative music, influencing major artists like REM, the Replacements, Elliot Smith, the Flaming Lips and countless others.
For die-hard fans and newcomers alike, Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a treasure, featuring rare music, never-before-seen footage and in-depth interviews with the original band members, family, friends and artists they influenced. Years in the making, the film captures important voices from the Big Star era that have since passed on.
“Drew, Olivia and Danielle have done a terrific job capturing the amazing story of one of the greatest bands of the 1970s, recreating an truly special time and place in music history,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Big Star fans will rejoice.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Magnolia, and to join their stellar roster of great films,” said director Drew DeNicola.
Magnolia plans a theatrical release later this year.
