HBO Documentary Films Takes on New Title

NEW YORK: The documentary Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo, which goes behind prison walls to follow convict cowgirls on their journey to the Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo, has been acquired by HBO Documentary Films.

Directed by Bradley Beesley (Okie Noodling, The Fearless Freaks, SummerCamp!), the film watches as female convicts head out to the rodeo, a purely American event that’s part Wild West show and part Coliseum-esque spectacle. The feature-length documentary was acquired following its successful SXSW World Premiere in March and will have its broadcast premiere on HBO’s CINEMAX in September. The film will also be screened inside the prison system as part of a large-scale outreach campaign and forum exploring rehabilitative and educational programs.

Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo is produced by James Payne and Amy Dotson and is executive produced by Julie Goldman, Krysanne Katsoolis and Caroline Stevens.

Beesley said, "I’m truly thrilled for the women featured in the film—their remarkable stories made this possible. There’s no better place than HBO to share our documentary with the U.S.–it’s a perfect home."