The Works UK Distribution has picked up all UK rights to Tom DiCillo’s documentary about rock group The Doors, When You’re Strange. It will be released next year.

The film will premiere at the London Film Festival, which opened last night, on Ocotber 18. The band’s drummer John Densmore will attend the screening.

The deal was sealed by The Works managing director Mick Southworth and director of marketing Laurence Gornall, and president of ContentFilm International Jamie Carmichael.

Directed by award-winning writer-director Tom DiCillo and narrated by Johnny Depp, When You’re Strange features previously unseen footage of Jim Morrison and The Doors.

It is the first feature documentary to tell their story. Using footage shot between their formation in 1965 and Morrison’s death in 1971, it follows the band from the corridors of UCLA’s film school, where keyboardist and co-founder Ray Manzarek and Morrison met, to the stages of sold-out arenas.

Southworth said: “This film is a very rare breed indeed, in that it really captures the excitement and the energy of the musical phenomenon that was The Doors. It is an incredible piece of work and Johnny Depp’s involvement is sure to broaden the appeal beyond that of their already huge UK fanbase to a younger cinema audience.”

Topics