Abramorama has acquired two upcoming music-themed films: Scott Rosenbaum’s “Sidemen: Long Road to Glory” and Sam Pollard’s “Two Trains Runnin’.” Abramorama will release the films theatrically in August 2017.
“Two Trains Runnin’” had a very successful qualifying run at the Metrograph in NYC in December. Coming off their recent success with Corbett Redford and Green Day’s “Turn It Around: The Story of East Bay Punk,” Amir Bar-Lev’s “Long Strange Trip,” John Scheinfeld’s “Chasing Trane” and Ron Howard’s “The Beatles: Eight Days A Week-The Touring Years,” Abramorama continues to prove that they are specialists at handling marketing and distribution for music driven long-form documentaries. Earlier this year, they announced a deal with Sword Rowe Capital to invest further in music driven films.
Richard Abramowitz, President of Abramorama said, “These two films are powerful illustrations of how the blues, a great and original American art form, has resonated across the entire spectrum of life in this country throughout the past century. Its impact on music and its confluence with social justice has been, and continues to be, profound and we’re proud to help bring these sterling examples out into the world.”
Narrated by Marc Maron and featuring Pinetop Perkins, Hubert Sumlin, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, Gregg Allman, Joe Bonamassa, Shemekia Copeland, Warren Haynes, Robby Krieger, Joe Perry, Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and Johnny Winter, “Sidemen- Long Road to Glory” is an intimate look at the lives and legacies of three legendary bluesmen: piano player Pinetop Perkins, drummer Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith and guitarist Hubert Sumlin, all Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf sidemen. The film captures some of the last interviews and final live performances, before their deaths in 2011. The historic live shows are accompanied by performances and personal insights from many of the blues and rock stars these legendary musicians inspired including. The film is directed by Scott D. Rosenbaum and produced by Jasin Cadic, Tony Grazia, Emmett James, Joseph White and Rosenbaum; and, executive produced by Alan Rudolph, Fabrizio Grossi and Pat Scalabrino.
Rosenbaum said “I’m incredibly grateful to be working with Richard and the team at Abramorama on the release of Sidemen. We are very excited for Willie, Pine-top and Hubert’s stories to be finally told and there is simply no better distributor to handle this film.”
In his searing documentary “Two Trains Runnin’,” Sam Pollard explores the explosive events that unfolded in Mississippi in the summer of 1964, when Freedom Summer coincided with the captivating hunt for blues musicians Son House and Skip James. Narrated by Common, and featuring the music by Gary Clark Jr., “Two Trains Runnin’” is a must-see film about hot-button issues—police brutality, racism, civil rights, and the legacy of black music—that are as urgent today as they were in 1964. The movie features artful, compelling animation and new musical performances by Lucinda Williams, Buddy Guy, Valerie June, North Mississippi Allstars, and more. It is produced by Benjamin Hedin and Dava Whisenant, and executive produced by Common, Derek Dudley, and John Beug.
Said Hedin, “Everyone involved with ‘Two Trains’ is proud to announce this partnership with the skillful team at Abramorama. Over the last few years they have proven to be the gold standard in the distribution of documentary, particularly those focused on music and social issues, and we’re glad to be among such select company.”
