Submarine Deluxe Takes The Wheel With The U.S. Distribution Rights To Roman Polanski's “Weekend Of A Champion”

October 24, 2013 -- Submarine Deluxe announced today that it has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Frank Simon’s documentary WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION, an entertaining vérité look at world champion driver Sir Jackie Stewart as Roman Polanski follows his attempt to win the Monaco Grand Prix.

The film is Submarine’s follow-up to the Academy Award nominated film, CHASING ICE.

WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION had its world premiere at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival.  The Hollywood Reporter called the film “An insider’s view of this high-risk, high-octane sport during its most lethally dangerous period.”

In 1971, Motor Racing fan Roman Polanski spent a weekend with world champion driver Sir Jackie Stewart as he attempted to win the Monaco Grand Prix.  Polanski was given intimate access to Stewart’s world for three days, both on the track and off.  The result is an extraordinarily rare glimpse into the life of a gifted athlete at the height of his powers.

Forty years on, Polanski and Stewart meet once again.  In a remarkable post-script, they discuss the sport, both past and present, with a unique and unmatched perspective.

Presented by RatPac Entertainment's documentary arm Rat Documentary Films, who first acquired and restored the film, WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION will also be released later on Netflix after its theatrical run.

“It’s an honor and a thrill to be working with Roman Polanski, Jackie Stewart and Brett Ratner to bring Weekend of a Champion to a US audience. This is an exciting and thought provoking film that should reach beyond the base of racing and cinema fans,” said Dan Braun

“Josh and Dan Braun have a passion for great cinema, most especially the documentary genre which makes Submarine the best home for Weekend of a Champion,” said Brett Ratner

Submarine Deluxe will release the film theatrically across the country beginning November 22nd in NYC, with a nationwide rollout to follow.

 

About Submarine Entertainment

Submarine Entertainment, founded and run by twin brothers Josh and Dan Braun, is a hybrid sales and production company, consulting and strategizing on the sale and distribution of feature films and documentaries and producing unique and high quality feature films, documentaries and television properties. Submarine Deluxe is the company’s distribution label, which releases features films and documentaries including Being Elmo, Love Marilyn and the Academy Award nominated Chasing Ice.

 

About Rat Documentary Films

Rat Documentary Films is a division of RatPac Entertainment - the film finance and production partnership of filmmaker Brett Ratner and Australian mogul James Packer.   Ratner previously produced the controversial Sundance documentary Catfish; the acclaimed HBO documentaries Helmut by June, about the legendary photographer Helmut Newton and I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale, and for PBS the acclaimed Emmy®- nominated American Masters: Woody Allen – A Documentary.

 

As a director, Ratner has grossed over $2 billion worldwide, directing such hits as the “Rush Hour” trilogy, “Red Dragon,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” and most recently, “Tower Heist.” Ratner's next project is “Hercules,” which he is producing and directing starring Dwayne Johnson.

 

 

James Packer is the Chairman of Crown Limited. Crown is one of Australia's largest resort and entertainment groups. It has properties and investments in Melbourne, Perth, Macau and London with a market capitalization of approximately $10 billion.

 

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