After much controversy, Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick’s “On the Record” has found a new home. The film made headlines weeks ahead of its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival when Oprah Winfrey removed herself as executive producer from the highly anticipated documentary detailing accusations of sexual misconduct against Def Jam Recordings co-founder Russell Simmons. The mogul took her distribution partner, Apple TV+, along with her. Winfrey claimed to believe the accusers, and cited creative differences with the filmmakers as the reason for her exit.
“On the Record” received rave reviews out of Sundance, and has secured distribution from another high-profile streamer. HBO Max snagged rights to the doc and plans to launch it in May, The New York Times reports. In addition to being streamed on HBO Max, “On the Record” “will receive at least a one-week theatrical release to qualify it for Oscar consideration,” but an opening date has yet to be determined.
The doc follows music exec Drew Dixon in the early weeks of the #MeToo movement, when she decides to publicly accuse Simmons of raping her. “On the Record” also spotlights other women who have accused Simmons of sexual misconduct, including including Sil Lai Abrams, Sheri Hines, Jenny Lumet, and Alexia Norton Jones.
“The fierce determination of Drew Dixon and all of the women who bravely chose to share their stories in ‘On the Record’ moved us profoundly,” said Sarah Aubrey, the head of original content at HBO Max. “I’ve been impressed with Amy and Kirby’s work over the years covering this complex subject matter, and look forward to this film finding the widest possible audience.”
Ziering added, “Kirby and I are so proud to be teaming with HBO Max to give this film the outstanding platform it deserves and can’t wait for the public to see and hear the voices of these courageous women.”
Ziering and Dick have collaborated on several films, including “The Invisible War” and “The Hunting Ground,” both of which examine rape culture. The former focuses on the U.S. military and the latter on college campuses across the U.S.
