THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN, a kaleidoscopic portrait of a man who became an immortal legend, whose life was as extraordinary as his art, will premiere Saturday, December 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. From award-winning directors Peter Middleton and James Spinney (Notes on blindness) and narrated by Pearl Mackie (Doctor Who), the feature-length documentary begins its theatrical run at Cinema Village (New York) and Laemmle Monica (Los Angeles) on Friday, November 19.
With unprecedented access to the Chaplin archives, THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN mixes dramatic reconstructions with never-before-seen recordings, intimate home movies, behind-the-scenes material and newly restored classic films to reveal a side of the global icon that – until now – has been shrouded in mystery. Reaching back a century ago – when Chaplin first entered the screen – the film chronicles his meteoric rise from the slums of Victorian London to the heights of Hollywood superstardom until his scandalous fall from grace. For decades he was the most famous man in the world. But who was THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN?
It’s the second feature from Middleton and Spinney, who have teamed up on a series of creative non-fiction projects over the past decade. In 2014, they adapted the audio diaries of Australian theologian John Hull into a series of short films, including the Emmy® Prime Notes on blindness. Their first feature of the same name premiered at Sundance® Film Festival in 2016 and was nominated for six British Independent Film Awards (BIFA), winning Best Documentary, and was nominated for three BAFTAs, including Best Documentary and Best British Film.
After a world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival and screenings at the BFI London Film Festival, the Zurich Film Festival and the Hamptons International Film Festival, THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN will screen at DOC NYC and AFI Fest next month. The film is nominated for three Critics Choice Doc Awards, including Best Archival Documentary, Best Narrative and Best Editing, and was shortlisted for Best Documentary with BIFA.
THE REAL CHARLIE CHAPLIN is produced by Ben Limberg for Smaller Biggie; John Battsek for Passion Pictures; and Mike Brett, Steve Jamison and for Archer’s Mark; and Jo-Jo Ellison. It is produced by Sam Lavender, Ben Coren, Lizzie Francke, Andrew Ruhemann and James Bierman. The film is produced in association with BFI, Film4, Ventureland and Fee Fie Foe.
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