UPDATE: CNN has scheduled the premiere of Lisa Cortés’ Little Richard: I Am All the things for September 4.

The community will premiere the documentary at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Cortés mentioned in an announcement, “I made this film because the story of Little Richard is the story of rock ‘n’ roll — and rock ‘n roll is the American idiom.”

PREVIOUSLY, January 20: Magnolia Photos has taken world rights to CNN Movies and director Lisa Cortés’ Little Richard: I Am All the things following its world premiere because the opening night time choice of Sundance within the US Documentary Competitors part. 

Produced by Bungalow Media + Leisure for CNN Movies and HBO Max, in affiliation with Rolling Stone Movies, and govt produced by Dee Rees, the movie tells the story of the Black queer origins of rock ‘n’ roll, exploding the whitewashed canon of American pop music to disclose the innovator – the originator – Richard Penniman. Magnolia plans to launch the movie in April. HBO Max is an EP and has home and worldwide SVOD streaming rights.

The docu by archive and efficiency supplies follows Little Richard’s switchbacks and contradictions.  In interviews with household, musicians, and cutting-edge Black and queer students, the movie reveals how Richard created an artwork kind for final self-expression, but what he gave to the world he was by no means capable of give to himself.  All through his life, Richard careened like a shiny cracked pinball between God, intercourse and rock ‘n’ roll. 

“Little Richard is the true king of rock ‘n’ roll, the alpha and omega of wild, rhythm-based music,” mentioned Magnolia Photos President Eamonn Bowles. “Lisa Cortés does the legend proud, getting the true story that celebrates this icon who shook the culture in so many ways.”

“Rock ‘n’ roll, race, and queerness are core to our culture — and our culture wars,” noticed director Lisa Cortés. “Little Richard changed America’s notions of all three. I’m thrilled that Magnolia Pictures is bringing this raucous, revolutionary icon to the world at this moment, when his journey could not be more relevant.”

“We are delighted to partner with Magnolia Pictures to bring Lisa Cortés’ cinematic rhapsody to theaters, giving audiences around the world a front row seat to celebrate the wildly talented Little Richard and his enduring legacy,” mentioned Amy Entelis, EVP Expertise and Content material Growth at CNN Worldwide.

“While people around the world grew up on Little Richard’s music, few are aware of his story in general and his influence in particular on pop culture,” mentioned producer Robert Friedman. “This film is both an inspiring and entertaining journey through the many decades of his career, finally giving him the recognition he deserves as the “king” of rock ‘n’ roll.”

The deal was negotiated by Magnolia EVP, Dori Begley, and SVP of acquisitions, John Von Thaden, with Stacey Wolf, SVP of enterprise affairs, and Kelly MacLanahan, assistant basic counsel, each of CNN Worldwide on behalf of CNN Movies and the filmmakers. Magnolia head of worldwide gross sales, Lorna Lee Torres, and worldwide gross sales supervisor, Austin Kennedy, will introduce the movie to consumers at EFM.

Lisa Cortés is repped by Lowell Shapiro and Mike Dill at Blackbox Administration.