London/New York – Ahead of EFM at the 66th Berlinale and following its World Premiere at Sundance, Dogwoof has closed a deal with A&E IndieFilms and RatPac Documentary Films for Author: The JT LeRoy Story, a film by Jeff Feuerzeig (The Devil and Daniel Johnston). The deal includes all international rights (excluding North America) with a UK theatrical release planned for 2016. Author: The JT LeRoy Story was produced by Feuerzeig, Danny Gabai, Jim Czarnecki, Molly Thompson and Brett Ratner.
“JT LeRoy is a stranger than fiction story which will shock and entertain international audiences. It’s fabulously crafted by Jeff and we really can’t wait to start working on it,” said Anna Godas, Dogwoof.
“Dogwoof is the cat’s pajamas, and we’re happy to work with them again on Author following our success on Cartel Land,” said Molly Thompson, Senior Vice President, A&E IndieFilms.
“Following the tremendous reception at Sundance and anticipating what we know will be a high-profile release in the U.S. we wanted a partner who could carry our belief in the film across the world. Dogwoof shares our passion and delivers a track record of success with prestigious commercial documentaries like this one,” said Producer Brett Ratner, RatPac Entertainment.
JT LeRoy was the “it boy” of the 1990s who stormed the literary world with his unflinching stories about his turbulent childhood; LeRoy charmed and captivated celebrities, actors, writers and musicians who all eagerly took this prodigy into their world. It wasn’t until an explosive exposé in New York Magazine’s October 2005 issue that pulled back the curtain on LeRoy’s world to reveal that the wunderkind was in fact a middle-aged woman named Laura Albert.
Author: The JT LeRoy Story tells the story of how Laura Albert, a punk rocker and phone sex worker, managed not only to write a new persona, but create an avatar that would fool the world for a decade. Telling her story, Albert takes us on a rollercoaster ride into the privileged world of rock shows, fashion events, celebrity readings, even onto film sets and the Cannes red carpet. Author: The JT LeRoy Story is a wild, inventive, provocative story of how one woman’s need for self-expression spawned an unstoppable literary character.
