Here is the complete Press Release announcing this major release coming in early Fall. – Enjoy.
MARTIN SCORSESE’S DOCUMENTARY
GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD
FROM GROVE STREET, SPITFIRE PICTURES AND SIKELIA
Film Surveys The Life And Times Of The Iconic Musician
Press release — July 14, 2011
New York — HBO has acquired the North American broadcast rights to Martin Scorsese’s GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD, which will debut in two parts — on October 5 and October 6, 2011 — exclusively on HBO.
London — Lionsgate Home Entertainment UK announced that it will be releasing the film in the UK on 10th October 2011 in three editions – DVD, Blu-ray and DVD Double play (DVD/ BD combi pack), and a beautifully packaged DVD / Blu-Ray Deluxe Edition, which includes an exclusive CD of previously unheard tracks from George Harrison, and a book of photography to accompany the film.
GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD focuses the imaginative and inspired eye of one of cinema’s most pre-eminent filmmakers on one of the world’s most influential men. The film takes viewers on the musical and spiritual voyage that was George Harrison’s life, much of it told in his own words. The result is deeply moving and touches each viewer in unique and individual ways.
Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese traces Harrison’s life from his musical beginnings in Liverpool through his life as a musician, a seeker, a philanthropist, and filmmaker. Scorsese weaves together interviews with Harrison and his closest friends, performances, home movies, and photographs. Much of the material in the film has never been seen (or heard) before. The result is a rare glimpse into the mind and soul of one of the most talented artists of his generation and a profoundly intimate and affecting work of cinema.
The film includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, George Martin, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono, Tom Petty, Phil Spector, Ringo Starr and Jackie Stewart. They speak honestly and frankly about George’s many talents and contradictions.
The film was produced by Scorsese (through his Sikelia Productions banner), Olivia Harrison (through her Grove Street Pictures banner) and Nigel Sinclair (through Exclusive’s documentary label, Spitfire Pictures). Margaret Bodde served as the film’s executive producer and the film was edited by David Tedeschi (who previously worked with Scorsese, Bodde and Sinclair on the Grammy Award-winning NO DIRECTION HOME: BOB DYLAN and with Scorsese and Bodde on the Rolling Stone concert film SHINE A LIGHT and PUBLIC SPEAKING). Scott Pascucci also served as an executive producer for Grove Street.
Scorsese comments, “Like so many millions of people, I first came to know George through the music, which was the soundtrack of our world. The Beatles’ music, those beautifully lyrical guitar breaks and solos, those unforgettable songs of George’s, like “I Me Mine” or “If I Needed Someone,” and the images, in magazines, on album covers, the TV appearances, the newsreel footage, the Richard Lester movies; and then there was the world after the Beatles, when George and his music seemed to open up and flower. I will never forget the first time I heard All Things Must Pass, the overwhelming feeling of taking in all that glorious music for the first time. It was like walking into a cathedral. George was making spiritually awake music – we all heard and felt it – and I think that was the reason that he came to occupy a very special place in our lives. So when I was offered the chance to make this picture, I jumped at it. Spending time with Olivia, interviewing so many of George’s closest friends, reviewing all that footage, some of it never seen before, and listening to all of that magnificent music – it was a joy, and an experience I’ll always treasure.”
Olivia Harrison notes, “Martin Scorsese’s intuition towards George was evident the first time we met to discuss this project. He sensed what George was about: his music, his strong beliefs, his art, his place in the Beatles story, and his extraordinary life afterwards. Marty’s wonderful film has found all of that and more.”
“This film was an extraordinary journey for all involved and it has been a sheer pleasure working with Martin Scorsese and Olivia Harrison to bring the amazing story and legacy of George Harrison to life,” adds Sinclair.
Additionally, in late September, Abrams Books will publish Olivia Harrison’s George Harrison: Living in the Material World, a personal archive of photographs, letters, diaries, and memorabilia from George’s life that reveals the arc of his life, from his guitar-obsessed boyhood in Liverpool, to the astonishment of the Beatles years, to his days as an independent musician and bohemian squire. The book release is intended to coincide with the release of Scorsese’s film.
I can’t wait to see this finished project. Having grown up with the music of George and his colleagues, I can truly say he was a great inspiration in my life and a major force in encouraging me to become a musician.
I’ve been a fan of the Beatles since I was 15 in 1964. I started playing guitar because of them and my whole life changed beacause of the things that their music brought into my life and the lives of many of my friends. We eagarly awaited each of their new releases, albums and singles and learned each of their songs as they came out. Some of my friends went on to successful musical careers with major acts and I became a music theapist because of the changes and influences they had on my life. Here we are almost 50 years later still sharing our joyful experience of the Beatles and they still give us nothing but the best of how we all still feel. This is a connection that can never be lost by any of us. I’ve been called a “Beatle Freak” all of my life and I wear that label with the greatest pride. I look forward to Olivia Harrison’s new book and Martin Scorsese’s documentary with an old familiar feeling, kind of like the I first tme I heard Taxman on the Revolver album we just bought the day it came out!
Carl
I am beyond excited to know that there is still some material on the BEATLES that will be shared with us DIE HARD BEATLES FANS!! When I read about this Documentary coming out soon, it brought back all the excitement and fond memories of those crazy, hectic and chaotic days of the thrill and insanity that the group brought out in their audience every single time we saw them on stage! I guess that is why I am still living in the 60’s and 70’s and constantly playing their music even now. Love the BEATLES FOREVER! Their music had meaning and relevance to those times and even to these baffling times as well! Always a fan and always my BAND! Thanks for the updates, Mary Alice Tesseneer
I am very excited to learn about the documentary George Harrison: Living in the Material World. George was the identifiable spiritual Beatle, but the other Beatles had their spiritual times as well. George just found his way and never gave it up, despite living in the material world and struggling with the paradoxes that such living entails. George has always been an inspiration to me, he had endeavored to embrace dharma, and although he literally achieved a status in the world where he could have indulged in anything he wanted and have his ego built up in innumerable ways, he chose to live a spiritual life. I have read biographies about him and know that he was a real human being with foibles of his own. However, George, in the later part of his life, could rely on what he had practiced. He was an real inspiration and shared Eastern spirituality with the world, the whole world. Few can claim that. I look forward to seeing the documentaries and say Thank You, George for turning me (and my generation) on to Hinduism, Buddhism and Love!
Hi. all, this is great news. I hope that the “Fest” and maybe Martin Lewis can acquire the trailer to the movie to be shown at the Fest in a couple of weeks? Also, where is the companion “soundtrack” cd to go with the movie? Also will it be shown even in limited release in theatres? It looks like the UK packaging will blow away the announced US packaging from what was announced so far? Lots of questions and hopefully some answers at the Chicago Fest in a couple weeks. See you then!
I feel so sorry for the ignorant masses who have grown up in the “MTV generation.” Music has become strictly a commodity to be marketed, pushed, and sold. Yes, marketing existed back then, BUT it was not the priority and the lister was more discriminating. I’m truly excited to see this documentary. I hope the younger people will go out and see it. If nothing else, to educate them as to what “sincerity” is. It’s sad George is still not here, but as in John’s case, we are so much better off having had them touch our lives in the shortened time they were here, than not at all. They live on in spirit.
I remember hearing about this Scorsese project a few years ago and had often wondered what happened to it. I’m glad it’s finally seeing the light of day. There’s so much out there about Paul and John but very little about George. It’s a well deserved acknowledgement for a fabulous musician and song writer that’s been a long time coming.
george was the 2 fidsdle in the band,, but when the group broke up . he was the first one with a number 1 hit & the first ex beatle with a number 1 album on the charts & the first one with a 3 album set,,,he was really good at what he did & he also did bangladesh years before live aid,,, george did it first,, he was a real credit to the beatles,,,even frank sinatra said somthing is the best love song the beatles ever wrote !!! thenk you george,,,,ojay35
I think it is cool that they decide to do something on George Harrison’s about his life!…..
Still waiting for the remastered cd’s of george’s solo music. I believe there are still three alums to go along with various singles. Any news?
I watched Part 1 last night. It was “ABSOLUTELY AWESOME”. George was and still is an amazing songwriter and singer. The Beatles are the greatest band that ever existed, they always will be and they will NEVER be 2nd to anyone or anything. Nothing else needs to be said
not yet. But it is only Dark Horse and Extra Texture left.