With productions from George Clooney, Seth Rogen and Alex Gibney, the ninth edition of the Season begins on October 13th with 11 new titles.
Miami, FL – October 6, 2020 – From October 13 to December 16, HBO will broadcast the ninth edition of its DOCUMENTARY SEASON. With 11 unconventional works told from new perspectives, the audience will be invited to delve into various universal and current topics.
The narratives range from real crimes, such as the hijacking of a flight with a parachute escape and the 50-year disappearance of the suspect, to the reality of transgender youth. The feature films also explore the use of the internet as an instrument of war – and the possible threat to the US Presidential elections – and the story of inspirational figures such as Argentine music icon, Ástor Piazzolla, and Luis A. Miranda Jr., father of award-winning artist Lin-Manuel Miranda (HBO’s HIS DARK MATERIALS and Hamilton).
HBO offers its Latin American and Caribbean subscribers the best selection of original documentaries, as well as meticulously curated works, and shows how these events become relevant when portrayed by established names in the industry such as Academy Award® winners Alex Gibney, George Clooney and Grant Heslov; Daniel Rosenfeld, nominated for a Latin Grammy® and the Oscar Award® nominated duo of Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady.
Here is a preview with the synopses of the first five productions that will be released by HBO and HBO GO during the DOCUMENTARY SEASON.
PROGRAMMING | DOCUMENTARIES
PIAZZOLLA: THE YEARS OF THE SHARK
PREMIERE: October 13 | 10:00pm
Documentary about Ástor Piazzolla, who along with Carlos Gardel, is considered the greatest tango talent of the 20th century. For the first time ever, the film, created and directed by Daniel Rosenfeld, and nominated for a Latin Grammy®, reveals the family archive of the artist, who passed away in 1992, and discovers previously unreleased materials and recordings. Through these records and testimonies offered by Piazzolla’s son, the production tells the story of this Argentine talent, who divided opinions in the 1950s and 60s by revolutionizing tango with his musical style.
WILD CARD: THE DOWNFALL OF A RADIO LOUDMOUTH
PREMIERE: October 20 | 10:00pm
This HBO original documentary, directed and produced by Martin Dunn and Marie McGovern, shows the rise and fall of New York radio personality Craig Carton. Through a series of interviews with the sportscaster and sources close to him, the film reveals how his secret addiction, financed by an illicit ticket-broking business, suddenly halted his career when he was arrested by FBI agents and charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and securities fraud in 2017. Carton was convicted and began serving a 42-month sentence in federal prison in June 2019.
PREMIERE: October 27 | 10:00pm
Based on the book The Perfect Weapon: War, Sabotage, and Fear in the Cyber Age by David E. Sanger, and directed by John Maggio, winner of the News & Documentary Emmy Award®, the films explores the rise of cyber conflicts as the primary way nations compete with and sabotage one another. As insecurity grows about potential cyberattacks in the 2020 US Elections, the HBO production will feature exclusive interviews with military and intelligence officials, as well as new, on-site reporting on the front lines of cyber wars.
PREMIERE: November 3 | 10:00pm
Executive produced by comedian Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg – both Emmy® nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program – and presented during the 2020 SXSW Festival, CONSOLE WARS depicts the rivalry between Nintendo and Sega during the 1990s. For the first time ever, men and women, who fought on the front lines of this battle between Mario and Sonic, discuss this conflict that defined a generation. The documentary was produced and directed by Jonah Tulis and Blake J. Harris, author of the book Console Wars: Sega, Nintendo and the Battle That Defined a Generation (2014).
PREMIERE: November 10 | 1000pm
From filmmaker John James, SIEMPRE, LUIS is an inspiring portrait of Luis A. Miranda Jr., a Puerto Rican immigrant who helped shape New York politics for more than three decades. When he left Puerto Rico for New York City in the 1970s, he had big dreams, but little did he know how far he’d go. Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Miranda Jr. helped plan relief efforts and managed logistics in order to bring Hamilton, the award-winning production by his son Lin-Manuel Miranda, to the island.
