Sony Pictures Classics confirmed the acquisition of North American rights to writer-director James Tobackʼs (FINGERS, BUGSY and TWO GIRLS AND A GUY) acclaimed documentary, TYSON (winner of the Un Certain Regardʼs Knockout Prize at the Cannes Film Festival). TYSON will have its North American premiere later this month at the Sundance Film Festival and will be released in theatres on April 24, 2009. In addition, NBA All- Star Carmelo Anthony comes onboard the film as an executive producer..
Anthony is joining producers Damon Bingham, Harlan Werner and James Toback, who shepherded the project from inception. Inspired by his love of movies and the art of filmmaking, Anthony recently founded Krossover Productions, a broad range production company that will focus on all genres of film and TV. TYSON is the first film the company is involved with.
TYSON is acclaimed indie director James Toback’s intimate and moving noholds- barred portrait of a humbled Mike Tyson told in the words of the former heavyweight champion. In TYSON, Mike Tyson examines his own life in and out of the ring with a candor, eloquence and vulnerability that is by turns poignant, funny and never less than brutally honest.
Through a deft mixture of original interviews and archival footage and photographs, a surprisingly complex, fullyrounded human being emerges. The film ranges from Mike’s earliest memories of growing up on the mean streets of Brooklyn through his entry into the world of boxing, including his rollercoaster ride through the funhouse of worldwide fame and his fortunes won and lost. TYSON offers much more than a documentary
about a former heavyweight champ — it is the story of a legendary and uniquely controversial international athletic icon, a figure conjuring radical questions of race and class, and a man who arose from the most debased circumstances and soared to seemingly unlimited heights, followed by destruction generated by hubris, like a character out of classical tragedy.
In a statement Toback says, “The effort to portray a complex, internationally iconographic figure in a stylistically originally way has proved a far more ambitious, but far more satisfying task than I had envisioned when I started shooting over two years ago. I trust Michael and Tom, whom I have known for twenty years, to send out and guide the film with passion, intelligence and twists
of invention.”
“Outside of basketball, movies are my big passion, and it is a great experience for me to be a part of this film,” says NBA star Carmelo Anthony of Krossover Productions. “James Toback truly created a work of art with TYSON, and we are exicited for the public to see very soon what this film is all about.” Sony Pictures Classics released the following statement, “Tyson is an important movie and an important cultural document. James Toback is at the peak of his form. We look forward to bringing this film to the American public.”
An open letter to the boxing world
By Geir Inge Jorgensen: My name is Geir Inge Jorgensen I’ve been a professional since 2000. I’ve had 28 bouts with only one HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE defeat. I’m 30 years old and for the most part I have been self trained. I have 143 rounds of boxing under my belt and although I have not faced top level opposition it certainly wasn’t because I haven’t desired to do so! I have hired an American trainer, who also doubles as my manager/ agent James Ali Bashir of Precision Craft Boxing International
I am looking forward to facing off against the who’s who of this division in the upcoming year and I am very enthusiastic about my chances of success against the likes of Demitry Salita, Gianluca Branco the European Champion, Paulie Malignaggi, Juan Urango, Paul McCloskeky, Vivian Harris, Herman Nguodjo and Zab Judah. I feel “VERY” confident in the work that I am doing and what I am being taught in training with Bashir, whom I met In Spain over 4 years ago, where we developed our BOXING relationship.
I have great respect for any athlete/boxer who steps into the ring to lay it “ALL” on the line and the names that I have mentioned in this article are no exception to the rule. However I feel from what I have observed I can and will defeat these men. If they will step up and give me the opportunity I believe that they are like me true warriors, it will be a crowd pleasing fight to the finish. I want to give back to our bosses… “the fans” who pay attention. I will not let you down (WIN, LOSE .OR DRAW) I am coming to FIGHT !!!!
So I’ve issue my challenge to the top guns out there and I will be waiting because I am not going to go away, unless they make me go away by beating me in the ring.
My Agent James Ali Bashir can be contacted at poundalipound@aol.com (973)954-3330 / ( 973)489-6672 or directly me geir@gijorgensen.com
Excited and waiting
“Little Prince”
Geir Inge Jorgensen