Nightclub documentary Limelight is in the spotlight again as Toronto-based Video Services Corp (VSC) acquired Canadian rights from Magnolia Pictures at Tribeca. The Canadian premiere is set for May 5 at Hot Docs in Toronto.

Limelight is about the rise and fall of nightclub owner Peter Gatien and is directed by Billy Corben, who produced with Alfred Spellman of rakontur, the filmmakers behind the pot documentary Square Grouper. Jen Gatien also produced.

VSC plans a June theatrical run for the film with a DVD release to follow later in the year. Magnolia has not announced release dates.

The documentary chronicles Gatien’s rise from Cornwall, Ontario, to become a leading light of New York City nightlife in the ‘90s as owner of the legendary hotspots Limelight, Tunnel, Palladium and Club USA.

The film chronicles the drug crackdowns and police pressure in New York’s Rudy Giuliani era that eventually led to Gatien’s deportation to Canada.

“Peter Gatien’s story has unique appeal in Canada and we’re thrilled to be bringing the film to audiences in this country,” said VSC president Jonathan Gross. “Everyone will have a chance to become a 90s club kid again or for the first time. Hey, even I partied at Limelight!”

“When Jen Gatien approached us with the idea of making the doc, we jumped at it because we recognized a similar dynamic to Cocaine Cowboys,” said rakontur’s Alfred Spellman. “Limelight is another rise and fall tale set against the transformation of a city, in this case New York.”

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