EXCLUSIVE: Prolific Doc manufacturers on both sides of the Atlantic combine for a Doc series on the Afrobeats Fela Kuti icon.
The Oscar winner, Ross Ross Williams, and its One Story Up banner joined the British producer winner of the BAFTA, Andy Mundy-Castle, Dochearts to create the program, which we understand is probably a series limited in four parts on the pioneer of African music.
Access was provided to those close to the end of the Nigerian Star, whose funeral in 1997 attracted hundreds of thousands of people. His accent placed on West African music with Funk and Jazz, as well as his ultra-charismatic performances, made him one of the most important musicians of the 20th century, influencing people like Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Jay-Z and Kanye West.
“We are embarking on a historical project to tell the definitive story of a radical African icon whose intrepid fusion of music and politics has shaken the world and whose influence is still repercussions today,” said Mundy-Castle.
We understand that the project has aroused significant interest, especially among streamers.
Mundy-Castle, who produced and produced the Bafta television doc White nanny, black child In 2024, met Williams – who is known for his award -winning short film at the Oscars Music by caution and other documents such as Animated life – At the Sheffield Do Docfest the same year.
“I knew Roger of his films, which are so impressive,” said Mundy-Castle. “We did a conversation by the fire in Sheffield, and I was really inspired by someone who tells real stories as I wanted. Our objectives both point to those who are marginalized. ”
He added that Dochearts and a story had concluded a US-UK partnership “completely healthy and healthy”. With money for uncripted projects and Doc difficult to find on both sides of the pond, these co -production agreements are becoming more and more common, especially at the stage of development.
Mundy-Castle, who launched Dochearts in 2016, is best known for Channel 5 Doc White nanny, black childwhich was co -produced with Tigerlily Productions. Its other productions include Doc features Misan Harriman: pull the peopleReady for a festival race this year and numerous television programs, brand content and documents. He was named Mentor of the Year during the prizes of the charity of the Edinburgh television festival, TV Foundation, in 2025.
Wiliams, on the other hand, was the first African American to win an Oscars, for 2009 Court Music by caution. He recently managed Netflix Stamped from the start; CasandroBiographical drama of Prime Video on a gay professional wrestler; And HBO Max Doc I love to love you, Donna Summer. The more rear credits include HBO DOC The ApolloEmmy Winner Animated life And God loves Uganda.
He is considered one of the most eminent supporters of the realization of inclusive films and addressed the withdrawal of Dei that many studios are under pressure from President Donald Trump. A global paramount, for example, promised to put an end to the policies of I and to hire a mediator of bias at CBS News as part of the agreement to obtain its merger with Skydance Media on the line.
“Let’s just say that Dei is alive and much alive for a story,” Williams said in an interview with Deadline in May. “This is our mission. This has always been our mission, and we will always give opportunities to people from marginalized communities, foreigners. ”
Mundy-Castle congratulated Williams for her work in inclusive cinema. “Roger has really done phenomenal work on increasing visibility and maintaining inclusion to the minds of people at the highest level,” he said. “This partnership really talks about something that must become an increasing priority for businesses: forging relationships and creating superpowers.”
Williams is represented by WME and Granderson des Rochers. Mundy-Castle is represented by united agents.
