HBO Documentary Films continues its commitment to groundbreaking films in the second half of 2012. From an in-depth portrait of Ethel Kennedy by her daughter, to Rosie O’Donnell’s ‘Don’t Divorce Me! Kids’ Rules for Parents on Divorce’, to a moving look at dyslexia from James Redford, HBO showcases works by top directors who tackle thought-provoking topics.

Upcoming HBO documentaries include (in chronological order):

‘Don’t Divorce Me! Kids’ Rules for Parents on Divorce’ (September 20) spotlights children ranging in age from five to ten who have met the confusing, often-painful challenge of their parents’ divorce. Combining candid interviews, drawings, songs and photos, this insightful film gives kids a chance to share poignant stories of how divorce has impacted their lives – and offer helpful advice to their parents.

Executive produced by Rosie O’Donnell (HBO’s “A Family Is a Family Is a Family”), this heartfelt, upbeat documentary shows how children comprehend and cope with the separation of their parents, suggesting ways adults can make this difficult transition easier for their kids. Directed by Emmy winner Amy Schatz (HBO’s “Classical Baby”).

‘The Latino List: Volume 2’ (September 24) focuses on a remarkable group of Latino notables as they share candid personal stories in intimate interviews with NPR correspondent Maria Hinojosa, offering a unique glimpse into the vibrant and flourishing culture of Hispanic America. Directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (HBO’s “About Face: Supermodels Then and Now” and “The Black List”), the film spotlights individuals from a variety of backgrounds and professions who have richly contributed to the fabric of contemporary society, including George Lopez, Soledad O’Brien, and Victor Cruz.

‘Ethel’ (October 18) celebrates the remarkable life of Ethel Kennedy, the wife of Robert F. Kennedy, highlighted by revealing, little-known anecdotes from those who know her best: her family. Directed by Emmy-winning daughter Rory Kennedy (HBO’s “Ghosts of Abu Ghraib”), this personal portrait is the first film made about the Kennedys from within the family.

The documentary features candid interviews with Ethel – her first extended interview in more than two decades – and her children Kathleen, Joe, Bobby, Courtney, Kerry, Chris and Max, spanning her political awakening, the life she shared with Robert Kennedy, and the years following his death, when she raised their 11 children.

‘The Big Picture: Rethinking Dyslexia’ (October 29), a 2012 Sundance Film Festival selection, tells the moving story of four young people who strive to overcome dyslexia and surpass society’s low expectations.

Inspired by the challenges facing his son Dylan, who was diagnosed as dyslexic after being functionally illiterate in the fourth grade, filmmaker James Redford includes appearances from such notable dyslexics as Sir Richard Branson, Charles Schwab, Gavin Newsom and David Boies, all of whom confirm what children, experts and families suggest: Dyslexia is as much a gift as a challenge.

‘Witness’ (November) follows a new generation of young combat photographers into conflict zones in Mexico, Brazil, Uganda and Libya. The four-part series chronicles these photo journalists’ immersions, their relations with the people on the ground and their closeness in battle – showing audiences why, when everyone else seeks cover, the war photographer stands.

Produced in collaboration with Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Mann (“Ali,” HBO’s “Luck”) and acclaimed documentary and commercial director David Frankham.

‘The Lady of Rangoon’ (December) profiles Aung San Suu Kyi, the leader of the opposition movement for democracy in Burma, who was under house arrest for 15 of the last 21 years. The film features an interview that was filmed covertly before her release. Directed by Angus MacQueen.

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HBO/CINEMAX has begun production in and around Charlotte, NC on the action series ‘Banshee’, executive produced by Alan Ball, Greg Yaitanes, Peter Macdissi, Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler. Scheduled for ten hour-long episodes, the show will debut on CINEMAX in 2013.

‘Banshee’ stars Antony Starr (“Rush”) as Lucas Hood, an ex-con and master thief who assumes the identity of the sheriff of Banshee, Pa., where he continues his criminal activities, even as he’s hunted by the shadowy gangsters he betrayed years earlier.

The new series also stars Ivana Milicevic (“Charlie’s Angels,” HBO’s “Mind of the Married Man”) as Carrie Hopewell, a notorious jewel thief who now lives in Banshee under an assumed identity with her new family, who know nothing of her past; Ulrich Thomsen (“The Celebration”) as Proctor, an intimidating, wealthy local businessman who believes he is above the law;

Frankie Faison (“The Good Wife,” HBO’s “The Wire”) as Sugar Bates, a wise, powerful former boxer and ex-con who now owns the local watering hole; Rus Blackwell (“Burn Notice,” HBO’s “Recount”) as Gulf War hero Gordon Hopewell, Banshee’s district attorney, who is married to Carrie; Ryann Shane (“Blue Bloods”) as Deva Hopewell, Carrie and Gordon’s rebellious daughter; and Ben Cross (“Star Trek,” “Ben Hur”) as Mr. Rabbit, a ruthless Ukrainian gangster who has been hunting Lucas and Carrie, his former top thieves, for 15 years.

The series is executive produced by Alan Ball (HBO’s “True Blood” and “Six Feet Under”), Greg Yaitanes (“House,” “Lost”), Peter Macdissi (“Towelhead,” HBO’s “Six Feet Under”), Jonathan Tropper (author of the New York Times bestseller “This Is Where I Leave You”) and David Schickler (author of “Kissing in Manhattan” and “Sweet and Vicious”).

The scripts were conceived and written by Tropper and Schickler.  Emmy-winner Yaitanes directs, with additional directors to be announced.

‘Banshee’ is the latest primetime drama series to be added to the upcoming CINEMAX slate, which also includes season two of “Strike Back,” starring Sullivan Stapleton and Philip Winchester, and “Hunted,” starring Melissa George.

Image Courtesy of    Eva Rinaldi Celebrity and Live Music Photographer

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David Milch’s Redboard Productions has entered into a new multi-year exclusive television deal with HBO, which will also cover any further services on the upcoming series “Luck,” starring Dustin Hoffman and debuting on the network Sunday, Jan. 29.

Redboard has also concluded an agreement with the William Faulkner Literary Estate to produce films and television series based on selections from Faulkner’s bibliography. The deal covers all of the 19 novels and 125 short stories in the estate, as well as other works, with the exception of those currently contracted with other parties.

ICM, which represent Milch, brokered the deal with Redboard and the William Faulkner Literary Estate. Under the terms of the agreement, Milch will partner with Lee Caplin, the executor of the William Faulkner Literary Estate and CEO of Picture Entertainment Corp., to choose which works to develop, package and produce.

Both Milch and Caplin will act as executive producers of those projects, with Milch serving as the executive writer in charge of adapting the works. The agreement gives HBO an exclusive first opportunity to finance, produce and distribute the projects as movies, miniseries and series. Olivia Milch will serve as coordinating producer on the projects.

“We are especially pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with one of the industry’s most talented contemporary writers,” says Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. “We know that whatever David brings to the HBO table will be exciting and innovative.”

“I’m delighted to expand my longstanding relationship with HBO to encompass the adaptation of some of the most important literary works by any American writer into television films and series,” says Milch. “As we embark on this ambitious project, our first commitment is to serve the material, and we look forward to identifying and collaborating with the best screenwriters and filmmakers to help each of the pieces find its ideal form onscreen.”

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