Fresh off a well received premier at the Tribeca Film Festival last month, Gilbert has landed a distribution deal. Gravitas Ventures has acquired the North American distribution rights to the documentary that goes inside the life of reclusive comic Gilbert Gottfried.
The film is being set for a September theatrical release with a DVD and digital release to follow.
Directed by Harmontown helmer Neil Berkeley, Gilbert is an intimate portrait of the standup comic who first rose to fame in the 1980s. Over the years he gained a reputation as a “comedian’s comedian” for his standup that often broke the conventions of the form. To some he’s known for his shocking airline joke told just a few weeks after 9/11 at a Comedy Central roast. Others know him from his film work, whether it is for his voice work in Disney’s Aladdin or appearing in such films like Beverly Hills Cop II and the Problem Child franchise.
Among the comedians who appear in the film are Dave Attell, Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Belzer, Lewis Black, Susie Essman, Arsenio Hall, Bill Burr, Jim Gaffigan, Judy Gold and Anthony Jeselnik.
We caught the film at its premier at Tribeca and admired how much access Gottfried gave to Berkeley and his crew as well as the sweet, quirky love story between the comic and his wife that makes up the heart of the film.
Yes! Can’t wait!