RADIUS-TWC Picks Up ‘Keep On Keepin On’

RADiUS-TWC proudly announced today that it has acquired worldwide rights as well as remake rights for the documentary KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON which celebrated its world premiere at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON is produced by seven time Academy Award® nominee Quincy Jones and Paula DuPre’ Pesmen (producer of the Oscar Winning THE COVE). The film’s director, Al Hicks, was just awarded the prize for Best New Documentary Director at the Tribeca Film Festival.

In his melodic debut, Australian director Hicks spent four years following the charming and sometimes poignant mentorship between jazz-legend Clark Terry and blind piano prodigy, Justin Kaulflin, during a pivotal moment in each of their lives. At eighty-nine years old, ‘CT’ has played alongside Duke Ellington and Count Basie; his pupils include Miles Davis and Quincy Jones, but his most unlikely friendship is with Justin, a 23-year-old with uncanny talent but debilitating nerves. As Justin prepares for a competition that could jumpstart his budding career, CT’s failing health threatens his own. Beautifully nostalgic with a reverence for the importance of finding your own sound, KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON celebrates an iconic musician while introducing one of equal vibrancy. It is a mentoring tale as inspirational as its subjects.

The deal for KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON was negotiated by Dan Guando, EVP of Acquisitions and RADiUS Co-Presidents Tom Quinn and Jason Janego for TWC with Josh Braun, Dan Braun, and David Koh of Submarine on behalf of the filmmakers. Legal services on behalf of the film makers were provided by Erik Hyman of Loeb and Loeb.

Said RADiUS Co-Presidents Tom Quinn and Jason Janego: “As was the case with 20 FEET FROM STARDOM, we’ve been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with gifted and talented musicians whose lives have been the inspiration for so many. Through Al’s deft hand, audiences will be given a bird’s eye view into the dynamic mentor/pupil relationship between Clark and Justin – two exceptional individuals who have persevered through adversity and overcome the hardest of obstacles. What a privilege we’ve been given to work alongside them, Quincy Jones and Paula DuPre’ Pesmen on Al’s completely gratifying film.”

Commented TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein: “The Tribeca Film Festival has always been an amazing source of upcoming talent. From TRANSAMERICA to BULLY, we have been proud to be a part of the success that Bob, Jane, and MSG have created. I think this has been the festival’s best year yet, and KEEP ON KEEPIN’ ON is one of the best movies TWC will be a part of. Crafted by the brilliant talents of Alan Hicks, my friend Quincy Jones and Paula DuPre’ Pesmen, this is a rare and inspiring story that will strike a special chord with audiences everywhere, just as it did with us. We’re so thrilled to have the opportunity to share it with the world.”

“In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined working on my first film with Harvey Weinstein, Paula DuPre’ Pesmen and Quincy Jones,” noted director Hicks. “I’m so grateful that Mr. Weinstein believes in this story and has chosen to take us under his wing. It’s an honor to have this team help bring Clark and his story to the world.”