May 17 , 2005
Jeremy Kay in Cannes

New York Doll ready to rock festivals

Gary Rubin's First Look Independent is planning a high-profile festival berth for Greg Whiteley's documentary New York Doll ahead its October US release.

Rubin has been fielding strong interest from festival organisers on the picture, which charts the uplifting story of former New York Dolls bass player Arthur 'Killer' Kane, a reformed alcoholic and Mormon church librarian who stages an emotional reunion with his old bandmembers.

Rubin is drawing up a three-pronged marketing campaign, targeting North America's hugely influential Mormon filmgoing community, music fans and documentary aficionados.

"The brilliance of this movie lies in the interwoven elements," Rubin said. "It speaks to so many people and combines a story about one the key precursors to punk rock, a man's salvation by the Mormon community, and rock-solid credentials as a superb documentary."

New York Doll features interviews from surviving band members and rock historians, as well as such rock world luminaries as Bob Geldof, Mick Jones from The Clash, and The Pretenders' Chrissy Hynde.

Rubin negotiated the deal with Micah Green of Cinetic Media, which excludes the first TV window.

(Jeremy Kay)