Weinstein Acquires 'Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing' Doc

The Weinstein Company:: Weinstein Acquires 'Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing' Doc
The Weinstein Company Hits a High Note With 'Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing'

The Weinstein Company Acquires Rights to Distribute Dixie Chicks
Documentary Worldwide

NEW YORK, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- The Weinstein Company (TWC) has
acquired the worldwide rights to "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing," a
powerful documentary from two-time Academy Award(R)-winning director
Barbara Kopple ("Harlan County USA," "American Dream") and director Cecilia
Peck, which will be featured as a Gala Presentation at the 31st Toronto
Film Festival. The film, which is produced by Kopple and Peck, is a
presentation of Cabin Creek Films, and stars the Dixie Chicks: Natalie
Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison. The announcement was made today
by Harvey Weinstein, co-chairman of TWC. "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing"
is the first documentary in 14 years to be featured as a Gala Presentation
at the Toronto Film Festival.
"Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing" travels with the Dixie Chicks, from
the peak of their popularity as the national-anthem-singing darlings of
country music and top-selling female recording artists of all time, through
the now infamous anti-Bush comment made by the group's lead singer Natalie
Maines in 2003. The film follows the lives and careers of the Dixie Chicks
over a period of three years during which they were under political attack
and received death threats, while continuing to live their lives, have
children, and of course make music. The film ultimately presents who the
Dixie Chicks are as women, public figures, and musicians.
"I am extremely proud to be associated with this film because it's not
only an outstanding and creative piece of work but it also exposes our
responsibility as Americans to confront our fundamental right to freedom of
speech," said Harvey Weinstein.
Kopple stated, "At a time when Americans are divided between red and
blue, rich and poor, immigrant and citizen, the Dixie Chicks and their
music cross over many lines. They are contemporary but rooted in tradition,
strong yet vulnerable -- career women who are deeply connected to family.
This film tells the story of these all-American women who refused to back
down and in the process became even stronger."
"The Dixie Chicks paid a huge price for questioning the invasion of
Iraq and daring to say what millions of people were thinking," said Cecilia
Peck. "Our film looks at the cost of standing up for what you believe in,
and the unbreakable bond between three brave women."
Michelle Krumm, executive vice president and co-head of acquisitions
and co-productions, brought the project to The Weinstein Company.
Krumm, Michael Cole, co-president of production, and Barry Littman,
executive vice president of business and legal affairs, negotiated the
agreement on behalf of The Weinstein Company. CAA and Simon Renshaw
negotiated on behalf of the Dixie Chicks.