Humphrey Bogart Documentary in the Works With Universal
The very first documentary endorsed by Humphrey Bogart‘s estate about his life and career is in the works. The documentary will be directed by Kathryn Ferguson in partnership with Universal Pictures Content Group. Ferguson, who was behind the successful Nothing Compares documentary about Sinéad O’Connor, reunited with writer and producer Eleanor Emptage and editor Mick Mahon for the project.
“The film focuses on the icon of Hollywood’s golden age, Humphrey Bogart, and is framed around his relationships with the five formidable women in his life — his mother and his four wives, including Lauren Bacall,” reads the logline. “Featuring unprecedented access to rare footage from the estate, and narrated exclusively in his own words, Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes explores his journey to become the star of timeless classics Casablanca, Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep. Each relationship offers a deep and intimate understanding of a man for whom stardom was hard won and much deserved.”
Everett Collection
“Our approach when examining Bogart’s story began with looking at the key women in his life, the women who had been instrumental in his success and who all, bar his fourth wife, Lauren Bacall, had been left as footnotes in history,” Ferguson added. “Their shared stories lead us through seismic cultural shifts, with censorship forming a central thread. I hope Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes becomes a fresh look at one of Hollywood’s most revered actors, and most of all, an honest, nuanced account of a complex man.”
Everett Collection
Interestingly enough, the film is almost entirely told by Bogart himself, who died in 1957. Ferguson used quotes from his interviews to piece together a film that would show the famous classic movie star in a new light through his relationships with women. She said that it felt like his story was not entirely clear without looking into the stories of the often-famous women with whom he had relationships over the years.
Everett Collection
Bogart’s children also helped by providing archival material and sitting down for interviews about their father. Stephen Bogart in particular has done copious amounts of research and written books about his father, who died when Stephen was just eight years old. He decided to help with this documentary because he felt it was a new way to tell his father’s story. “It’s an arc that hasn’t been told,” he said. “People haven’t heard it all because everything that I’ve heard hasn’t been out there. But this has really delved into the intricacies of who he was.”
Bogart: Life Comes in Flashes premieres in theaters on November 15 as a limited release.
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