Ocsar-nominated Shine director Scott Hicks’ projects about musician Ben Folds have been taken on for distribution by Banijay Rights.
The director’s features will world-premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival later this month and see Hicks combine with celebrated producers Kerry Heysen and Jett Heysen-Hicks.
Inspired by the 25th anniversary of Shine, which starred Geoffrey Rush as a pianist who suffered a mental breakdown and spent years in institutions, The Musical Mind: A Portrait in Process explores the power of the musical brain. Hicks reveals the creative process of elite international musicians focusing on Shine subject David Helfgott, Australian rock star Daniel Johns, Shine star Simon Tedeschi, and Folds.
The latter is the subject of My Name’s Ben Folds, I Play Piano, a symphonic concert spectacle featuring the Emmy-nominated composer with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The film offers unique coverage of the rock pianist, including the creation of a new song from scratch, live onstage, via audience participation when Folds induces the crowd to sing a choral refrain in three-part harmony.
Both features are Beyond May 30 Entertainment productions in association with Banijay Rights and will be shopped by Banijay Rights at Mipcom Cannes over the coming days.
“These are two unique and highly entertaining premium documentary features that showcase world-class musical talent and the inner workings of their craft,” said Banijay Rights CEO Cathy Payne. “Both are excellent additions to our Mipcom line-up, and we’re in no doubt they will be highly sought after by international buyers in Cannes.”
Hicks added: “I’m delighted to be working with Banijay Rights on the release of my latest music-based documentary features, celebrating superstar musicians in their private worlds and exploring their unique creative processes.”
Banijay Rights is also selling the likes of Moulin Rouge: Yes We Can Can, Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico, and Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy at Mipcom.
