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Z CHANNEL: A MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION

Out of Competition

Directed by :: Xan CASSAVETES

Country:: USA

Year:: 2003

Duration:: 120.00 minutes

Synopsis

Launched in 1974 in Los Angeles, Z Channel was one of the United States' first pay cable stations. Z Channel's prominence was solidified in 1980 when maverick programmer Jerry Harvey took over as head of programming. Z's uniqueness was attributed to Harvey and his staff's determination, diverse taste and encyclopedic knowledge of cinema. Harvey's programming showcased a combination of classic, international, independent, and Hollywood films. Z was the network first to develop programming innovations such as 'director's cuts' and uniquely themed on air festivals, while also airing many rare and never before seen exclusives and critically acclaimed films not in the mainstream.

Directing her first feature length documentary, Xan Casssavetes' Z CHANNEL: A MAGNIFICIENT OBSESSION, explores the historic influence of Z Channel; showcases the important voice the station gave filmmakers; examines the great influence the Los Angeles-based channel had on modern cinema, independent filmmaking, and the development of cable television; and chronicles the brilliant, but troubled Jerry Harvey and the murder/suicide that ended his life.

Those sharing their thoughts and memories include Robert Altman, Jacqueline Bisset, James Woods, Quentin Tarantino, Jim Jarmusch, Alexander Payne, Paul Verhoeven, Theresa Russell, Penelope Spheeris, Henry Jaglom, Alan Rudolph, cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond and film critics F.X. Feeney and Kevin Thomas.

Credits

Xan CASSAVETES - Director
John PIROZZI - Cinematography
Steven HUFSTETER - Music
Iain KENNEDY - Film Editor

Actors

Robert ALTMAN - As Himself
Paul VERHOEVEN - As Himself
Penelope SPHEERIS - As Himself
Jim JARMUSCH - As Himself
Jacqueline BISSET - As Himself
Quentin TARANTINO - As Himself

Contacts and useful links

Production

IFC - Alison BOURKE - 11 Penn Plaza - 15th floor - 10001 New York - NEW YORK - ETATS-UNIS - T : 1 646 273 7222 - F : 1 917 542 6396 - apbourke@ifctv.com - MAJA FILMS / FRESH PRODUCE FILMS

French press

BOSSA NOVA - Michel BURSTEIN - 32 boulevard Saint Germain - 75005 Paris - FRANCE - T : 33 (0)1 43 26 26 26 - F : 33 (0)1 43 26 26 36 - bossanova@compuserve.com

International press

DDA - Anna NICOL - T : 44 (0) 207 932 9800 - F : 44 (0) 207 932 4950 - anna.nicoll@ddapr.com

Foreign sales

IFC