Lionsgate nabs Charles/Maher doc

It was among the hottest Cannes market title unveilings and indeed the film reels shown generated enough buzz to get buyers talking. Lionsgate Films has a great track record at grabbing docu-films that fall into the controversial category and Variety reports that the indie unit has picked up the title for a Spring 08’ release.

Probably going to preem at this year’s Toronto film fest, the Untitled Larry Charles documentary investigates the world's institutionalised religions. The project promises to be a controversial confection given Charles' no-holds-barred approach and the subject matter. Outspoken US comedian and political commentator Bill Maher is narrating the piece. The film is directed by (see picture above) Larry Charles – the same director who gave us Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

Variety picked up a couple of good quotes from Charles and Maher…and I’ve listed them below:
  

“Being in a place like Israel, you can feel how violence exists just under the surface of mundane life,” Charles told Daily Variety. “The trick here is, the darker and more serious the subject, the more absurd and funny it is when you push and the humor reveals itself.”

Maher said: “Comedically, the topic of religion is hitting the side of a barn; it's literally hard to miss. This movie will make you laugh so hard you'll pray for it to stop.”

“Nietzsche said God is dead, but he didn't see the grosses for 'Passion of the Christ,' ” Charles said.