CNN Films Picks Up Rights to Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President

CNN Films has acquired North American broadcast rights to Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President, a new documentary from director Mary Wharton, producer Chris Farrell and writer Bill Flanagan.

Jimmy Carter Rock & Roll President chronicles the role that popular music played in propelling Carter, a relatively unknown candidate from Georgia, to the White House, as well as in his life and work. The film shows how Carter’s passion for music gave him an unexpected edge as a presidential candidate, and how his appreciation for all genres of music and friendships with the likes of Bob Dylan, Gregg Allman, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash and Willie Nelson, helped to define his administration.

The documentary includes interviews with Carter, Willie Nelson, Bono, Bob Dylan, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Jimmy Buffett, Roseanne Cash, Chuck Leavell, Paul Simon, Andrew Young and Madeleine Albright. It also features archival live performances from Nelson, Buffett, Paul Simon and Dylan, among others.

Originally set to open the 19th annual Tribeca Film Festival in April, the feature will now be the closing film for AFI DOCS film festival on June 21.

Carter said, “When Chris and Mary came to Plains to show the film to me and my family, it was entertaining and emotional for all of us. The film exceeded my expectations in every way. I’m thrilled that Rock & Roll President will reach a broad audience on CNN. Despite the difficult times we are in, the film highlights my personal belief that we should remain hopeful and that music is a powerful source of hope in trying times.”

Producer Chris Farrell and Director Mary Wharton added, “When we started this journey two-and-one-half years ago, our goal was to tell an interesting and surprising story about President Carter and his relationship with music, in the hopes that it would make people see him in a new light. Being able to share the film with millions of Americans through this deal with CNN Films is a significant step towards achieving that goal. The fact that we were able to screen the film for the President and receive his endorsement has been one of the most gratifying aspects of the project. We hope that CNN viewers will come away with a new appreciation for not only his moral courage and leadership, but also the fact that he is pretty cool.”

Courtney Sexton, senior VP for CNN Films, said: “Mary and Chris made a sensational film that takes us on a journey into the intersection of music and politics. We are thrilled to bring this important and incredibly entertaining film to our audience.”