http://www.indiewire.com/biz/biz_040809upriver.htmlTHINKFilm Plans October Release for John Kerry Doc "Going Upriver"
by Wendy Mitchell
Another hotly anticipated political documentary will be coming to theaters before Election Day. THINKFilm has signed on for domestic distribution of "Going Upriver: The Long War of John Kerry," directed by the Democratic presidential candidate's long-time friend George Butler ("Pumping Iron," "Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition"). The doc will have its world premiere at September's Toronto International Film Festival, followed by an October 1 theatrical release in select U.S. cities.
"George Butler is a master storyteller and nobody creates cinematic portraits of daring men at pivotal points in their lives like he can," said Mark Urman, THINKFilm's head of U.S. theatrical distribution in a prepared statement. "We are thrilled to be involved with this project and look forward to mounting a campaign and orchestrating a release that, for a number of reasons, will be unlike any we have ever done."
THINKFilm described the film thusly: "Through footage and photos taken by Butler throughout his 35-year friendship with Kerry and narrative provided by Doug Brinkley's best-selling book 'Tour of Duty' serving as a loose blueprint, Butler tells the story of John Kerry's remarkable life." The film includes previously unseen footage, and follows Kerry from the Vietnam War to his anti-war activism and his political career.