Fremantle Acquires Richard Williams Documentary

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Fremantle has picked up the global distribution rights for the feature documentary On the Line: The Richard Williams Story, detailing the life and career of Venus and Serena Williams’ father and coach.

The film features rare home video footage and candid interviews to follow the family’s unprecedented success in the ’90s and beyond within a predominately white, upper-class sport. It tells a story about the African American experience in America through the resilience and determination of the Williams family.

On the Line: The Richard Williams Story premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival and will have its U.K. premiere at the 2023 Sheffield DocFest in June.

The film is produced by ChaVam’s Chavoita LeSane, High Frequency Entertainment’s Duncan Montgomery and Jack Selby, Foundation 360’s Gary Ousdahl and Stuart McClave’s McClave Lumber Company. Executive producers include Brenda Robinson, Brit Marling, Ashley Coleman, Charlie McDowell, Alex Orlovsky, Mathilde Jourdan, Harry Gamsu and Bright West Entertainment’s Alex Lieberman and Gary Lieberman.

Kyle Harris, director of global acquisitions at Fremantle, said: “We are thrilled to share the remarkable life story of Richard Williams with global buyers. Stuart McClave and the filmmaking team have made a touching and unmissable documentary that features unmatched access to an extraordinary person, whose story will fascinate and inspire audiences around the world.”

Stuart McClave, the director and producer of On the Line: The Richard William Story, added: “Sitting down with Mr. Williams over the course of several years and listening to his story—many aspects of which I thought I knew going into this project as an avid tennis player and fan—only made me realize how much of this story hadn’t been told before or been allowed to be told. While the media and tennis establishment eventually came to celebrate the sisters, they still have not given Mr. Williams the respect and credit he deserves. I would like to thank him personally and everyone else who shared their incredible insights on the power of this story—a story I firmly believe is one of the most inspirational, unbelievable and crucial American stories of all time.”