By Ray Pride Pride@moviecitynews.com

OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK TO RELEASE OSCAR-WINNER BARBARA KOPPLE’S ‘RUNNING FROM CRAZY’ THEATRICALLY ON NOVEMBER 1

Posted Tuesday, September 10th, 2013 - Comments Off on OWN: OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK TO RELEASE OSCAR-WINNER BARBARA KOPPLE’S ‘RUNNING FROM CRAZY’ THEATRICALLY ON NOVEMBER 1
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2013

Starring Academy Award-Nominated Actress and Advocate Mariel Hemingway

Los Angeles, CA – The acclaimed documentary “Running From Crazy,” the latest project from two-time Academy Award winner Barbara Kopple (“Harlan County USA,” “American Dream”), which world premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, will be released theatrically on November 1, 2013, and will follow with a debut on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in 2014.

Hailed as one of the most distinguished families in American literature, the Hemingways have always exposed their brilliance while often living in the shadows of deep emotional struggle. Two-Time Academy Award winning filmmaker Barbara Kopple’s newest documentary focuses on Mariel Hemingway, a granddaughter of the legendary writer Ernest, as she explores her family’s disturbing history of mental illness and suicide.   As a child, Mariel grew up on the Hemingway family farm in Idaho, the same place her famous grandfather took his own life months before she was born. The youngest of the three sisters, Mariel followed her older sister Margaux into acting and modeling, while her oldest sister Muffet struggled with mental illness and drifted in and out of mental hospitals. Kopple’s bold film intertwines haunting archival footage of the three Hemingway sisters with scenes from Mariel’s life today as she seeks to live a rigorously healthy lifestyle to combat what appears to be a difficult family birthright. Mariel’s courageous journey of introspection and reflection allows her to view her family that has shaped her life through new eyes and, for the first time strive for peace and acceptance.

“Mariel courageously shares her family’s personal story with both heart and dignity in this extraordinary film told through the powerful lens of filmmaker Barbara Kopple,” said Sheri Salata, president, OWN. “Not only is it a compelling and inspiring film, but we also hope it can help encourage important conversations around the topic of mental illness and suicide prevention.”

“‘Running from Crazy’ gave me the incredible chance to delve into the rich and complex history of the Hemingways, a family who has left such an enduring mark on literature and culture.  My hope is that this film changes perceptions of the family, and also, more importantly, elicits a new compassion and understanding in how we treat those grappling with suicide or mental illness,” said Kopple. “For me, it’s a moving and powerful story that offers up hope and the sense that none of us are alone in our struggles.”

“Mental illness is overwhelmingly misunderstood and creates fear for so many. I’m hoping ‘Running From Crazy’ gives people permission to share their stories and know that they are not alone. Perhaps by sharing my life with others they will feel supported in speaking out and getting help,” said Hemingway.

“Running from Crazy” is produced by Cabin Creek Films for OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network.  Produced and directed by Barbara Kopple. Produced by David Cassidy. Executive producers are Barbara Kopple, Erica Forstadt, Lisa Erspamer and Oprah Winfrey. To watch the trailer for “Running From Crazy,” click here.

About OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network

OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. Oprah Winfrey’s heart and creative instincts inform the brand – and the magnetism of the channel.  Winfrey provides leadership in programming and attracts superstar talent to join her in primetime, building a global community of like-minded viewers and leading that community to connect on social media and beyond. OWN is a singular destination on cable.  Depth with edge. Heart. Star power. Connection.  And endless possibilities.  OWN is a joint venture between Harpo, Inc. and Discovery Communications.  The network debuted on January 1, 2011 and is available in 85 million homes.  The venture also includes the award-winning digital platform Oprah.com.

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It shows how out of it I was in trying to be in it, acknowledging that I was out of it to myself, and then thinking, “Okay, how do I stop being out of it? Well, I get some legitimate illogical narrative ideas” — some novel, you know?

So I decided on three writers that I might be able to option their material and get some producer, or myself as producer, and then get some writer to do a screenplay on it, and maybe make a movie.

And so the three projects were “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep,” “Naked Lunch” and a collection of Bukowski. Which, in 1975, forget it — I mean, that was nuts. Hollywood would not touch any of that, but I was looking for something commercial, and I thought that all of these things were coming.

There would be no Blade Runner if there was no Ray Bradbury. I couldn’t find Philip K. Dick. His agent didn’t even know where he was. And so I gave up.

I was walking down the street and I ran into Bradbury — he directed a play that I was going to do as an actor, so we know each other, but he yelled “hi” — and I’d forgot who he was.

So at my girlfriend Barbara Hershey’s urging — I was with her at that moment — she said, “Talk to him! That guy really wants to talk to you,” and I said “No, fuck him,” and keep walking.

But then I did, and then I realized who it was, and I thought, “Wait, he’s in that realm, maybe he knows Philip K. Dick.” I said, “You know a guy named—” “Yeah, sure — you want his phone number?”

My friend paid my rent for a year while I wrote, because it turned out we couldn’t get a writer. My friends kept on me about, well, if you can’t get a writer, then you write.”
~ Hampton Fancher

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~ David Simon