Magnolia acquires 'Marley' doc

Magnolia Pictures has acquired U.S. rights to "Marley," director Kevin Macdonald's documentary about music artist Bob Marley. "Marley" might have its world premiere within the Berlin Film Festival which is U . s . States premiere within the SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, in March. Pic's produced by Steve Bing via Shangri-La Entertainment and Charles Steel and professional produced by Bob's boy Ziggy Marley and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell. Marley recorded nearly all his music on Island from 1972 until his dying three decades ago. The film will open in theaters on April 20, beginning day and date wonderful VOD and digital platforms. VH1 originates onboard to license the initial TV window for your film incorporated in the VH1 Rock Doc franchise. "Marley" is suggested since the first film the reggae music pioneer's family people have approved using their unique private archives. Macdonald came to the project this past year. His credits include docus "Eventually in September" and "Touching the Void." The approved docu has elevated the works since early 2008, when Martin Scorsese introduced he'd direct it a follow-around his Moving Gems concert pic "Shine a simple,In . but he subsequently dropped out due to organizing. Jonathan Demme needed inside the project but furthermore dropped out. "This documentary might be the best considered my father's existence," mentioned Ziggy Marley. "Your family is proud to be capable of hold the world finally experience this emotional journey." The sale was talked about for Magnolia by senior V . p . of purchases Dori Begley and mind of economic matters Chris Matson too for VH1 by Ben Zurier and Kaira Abramson with Liesl Copland of WME Global regarding the filmmakers. Contact Dork McNary at dork.mcnary@variety.com