Oscar-nominated filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady will examine the threats, intimidation, and violence used to silence journalists with Ronan Farrow for their next project. Deadline confirms the “Jesus Camp” directors will helm an HBO doc following Farrow’s investigation into the forces undermining the free press in the United States and around the world.
This is an area of expertise for Farrow, one of the journalists who broke the Harvey Weinstein story. Farrow encountered intimidation tactics from the mogul, and documented Weinstein’s efforts to silence his accusers and press outlets covering the allegations in his bestseller “Catch and Kill.”
Farrow will exec produce the documentary, as will HBO’s Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller.
“We cannot think of a better place than HBO to bring audiences the first-hand stories of reporters taking huge risks in order to fight misinformation and to defend a free and informed society,” Ewing said.
“Reporters covering this upcoming political cycle will be working in a vitriolic, deeply divided country,” added Grady, “and our cameras will bear witness to this make or break moment for America’s dedication to a free press.”
Ewing and Grady have directed six features together, including “One of Us,” “Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You,” and “Detropia.” They received an Oscar nomination for their doc “Jesus Camp.”
Ewing’s solo directorial effort, romantic drama “I Carry You with Me,” will premiere later this month at Sundance.