While “The Staircase,” HBO Max’s dramatized re-telling of the 2004 true crime documentary, isn’t exactly a recreation, it’s easy to get confused between the fact and fiction of the two while watching them back-to-back.
David Rudolf — the real-life North Carolina defense lawyer who represented Michael Peterson after he was accused of killing his wife Kathleen — knows this, and he isn’t happy about it.
“I get it,” Rudolf told Variety. “And that’s the problem.”
The new series takes a bird’s-eye-view of the case, and includes the documentarians as characters in the story. Following the premiere of the new series on May 5, in a lengthy May 13 story in Vanity Fair, Rudolf and the documentary’s original filmmakers — director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, producers Allyson Luchak and Matthieu Belghiti, and editors Scott Stevenson and Sophie Brunet — accused the new show’s creator, writer and director Antonio Campos, as well as co-showrunner Maggie Cohn,...
David Rudolf — the real-life North Carolina defense lawyer who represented Michael Peterson after he was accused of killing his wife Kathleen — knows this, and he isn’t happy about it.
“I get it,” Rudolf told Variety. “And that’s the problem.”
The new series takes a bird’s-eye-view of the case, and includes the documentarians as characters in the story. Following the premiere of the new series on May 5, in a lengthy May 13 story in Vanity Fair, Rudolf and the documentary’s original filmmakers — director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, producers Allyson Luchak and Matthieu Belghiti, and editors Scott Stevenson and Sophie Brunet — accused the new show’s creator, writer and director Antonio Campos, as well as co-showrunner Maggie Cohn,...
- 6/1/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
A war of words has broken out between the filmmakers who have brought audiences two different versions, nearly two decades apart, of the real-life mystery behind The Staircase.
French director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade’s 2004 Peabody Award-winning documentary told the story of the fortunate Peterson family who lived in a luxurious mansion in North Carolina, until Kathleen Peterson’s body was discovered at the foot of a staircase, and her husband Michael was tried for murder.
More recently, Antonio Campos has adapted the same story into an HBO Max TV drama series starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette.
De Lestrade and his team enjoyed privileged access to Michael Peterson and his family during the trial and years that followed, and Campos’s drama highlights this close connection, including a romantic relationship between Michael Peterson and the documentary’s editor Sophie Brunet.
The drama also depicts the documentary team exerting their editorial control in ways that,...
French director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade’s 2004 Peabody Award-winning documentary told the story of the fortunate Peterson family who lived in a luxurious mansion in North Carolina, until Kathleen Peterson’s body was discovered at the foot of a staircase, and her husband Michael was tried for murder.
More recently, Antonio Campos has adapted the same story into an HBO Max TV drama series starring Colin Firth and Toni Collette.
De Lestrade and his team enjoyed privileged access to Michael Peterson and his family during the trial and years that followed, and Campos’s drama highlights this close connection, including a romantic relationship between Michael Peterson and the documentary’s editor Sophie Brunet.
The drama also depicts the documentary team exerting their editorial control in ways that,...
- 5/15/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Federation Entertainment, Pascal Breton and Lionel Uzan’s independent production and distribution group, is ramping up its premium documentary output with a slate of new acquisitions, including “The Vatican” and “The Sect.”
“The Vatican” is a six-part investigative documentary series exploring the pinnacle of Catholicism, and how incessant scandals and an ever changing society have weakened its foundations. “The Vatican” is directed by Kat Steppe, co-written by Rik Torfs and Jo Badisco, and produced by Kato Maes and Kristoffel Mertens at Belgian outfit Paneka for the broadcaster Vrt. Now filming, the series has already been pre-sold to French SVOD service Salto.
“The Sect,” meanwhile, delivers an in-depth look into the Order of the Solar Temple. The five-part docuseries sheds light on what led 74 members of the cult to commit mass suicide across France, Switzerland and Canada, between 1994 and 1997. “The Sect” is produced by Matthieu Belghiti and Jean-Xavier De Lestrade, the...
“The Vatican” is a six-part investigative documentary series exploring the pinnacle of Catholicism, and how incessant scandals and an ever changing society have weakened its foundations. “The Vatican” is directed by Kat Steppe, co-written by Rik Torfs and Jo Badisco, and produced by Kato Maes and Kristoffel Mertens at Belgian outfit Paneka for the broadcaster Vrt. Now filming, the series has already been pre-sold to French SVOD service Salto.
“The Sect,” meanwhile, delivers an in-depth look into the Order of the Solar Temple. The five-part docuseries sheds light on what led 74 members of the cult to commit mass suicide across France, Switzerland and Canada, between 1994 and 1997. “The Sect” is produced by Matthieu Belghiti and Jean-Xavier De Lestrade, the...
- 2/9/2021
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix is sending executive Diego Bunuel to the U.K. to oversee original factual programming out of its soon-to-open new London office, part of the the streaming giant’s increased emphasis on localizing its lineup of shows. Bunuel, who will relocate from Los Angeles, will commission original documentaries for Europe.
Netflix makes most of its programming decisions from L.A., but is expected to install content executives in its regional bases as part of its ramped-up localization effort. Bunuel, who has been with Netflix for about three months, was previously head of factual producer Explorer and is a former head of documentary at French pay-tv operator Canal Plus. A Netflix spokesman confirmed that Bunuel would be based in the British capital as director of original documentaries.
Netflix will move into a new Central London headquarters near Oxford Circus in the next few months, and Bunuel will work from there as part of the existing team.
Netflix makes most of its programming decisions from L.A., but is expected to install content executives in its regional bases as part of its ramped-up localization effort. Bunuel, who has been with Netflix for about three months, was previously head of factual producer Explorer and is a former head of documentary at French pay-tv operator Canal Plus. A Netflix spokesman confirmed that Bunuel would be based in the British capital as director of original documentaries.
Netflix will move into a new Central London headquarters near Oxford Circus in the next few months, and Bunuel will work from there as part of the existing team.
- 6/12/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
New episodes of the acclaimed true crime series, The Staircase, will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival before arriving on Netflix this summer.
The Staircase premiered on French television in 2004 and chronicled the story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused, and convicted, of killing his wife in 2001. The series gets its title from the fact that Peterson's wife was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their North Carolina home.
Following the murder, Oscar-winning filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (Murder On a Sunday Morning) was given complete access...
The Staircase premiered on French television in 2004 and chronicled the story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused, and convicted, of killing his wife in 2001. The series gets its title from the fact that Peterson's wife was found dead at the bottom of the staircase in their North Carolina home.
Following the murder, Oscar-winning filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade (Murder On a Sunday Morning) was given complete access...
- 4/19/2018
- Rollingstone.com
Netflix is expanding its true crime slate. Critically praised true crime series The Staircase is heading to the internet TV network, along with four-part original docuseries Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist, executive produced by Mark and Jay Duplass. New episodes of the Staircase will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 28 before they launch on Netflix this summer alongside the original French TV miniseries, which aired on Canal+ and Sundance TV in 2004. Evil Genius, the story of the extraordinary criminal case known as the “pizza bomber heist” will launch globally May 11 on Netflix.
The Staircase, which hails from Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, follows the compelling story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16-year judicial battle that followed. De...
The Staircase, which hails from Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, follows the compelling story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16-year judicial battle that followed. De...
- 4/18/2018
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix announced Wednesday that they have ordered the brand new true crime docuseries “Evil Genius: The True Story of America’s Most Diabolical Bank Heist” as well as new episodes of fellow true crime series “The Staircase.”
The first is titled “The Staircase,” which tells the true story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16 year judicial battle that followed. Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade was granted access to the case immediately following Kathleen’s death in 2001 in Durham, North Carolina.
Three brand new episodes of “The Staircase” will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 28 before they launch on Netflix this summer alongside the original ten episodes. The series is produced by What’s Up Films, directed by de Lestrade, and produced by Matthieu Belghiti and Allyson Luchak.
The first is titled “The Staircase,” which tells the true story of Michael Peterson, a crime novelist accused of killing his wife Kathleen after she is found dead at the bottom of a staircase in their home, and the 16 year judicial battle that followed. Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker Jean-Xavier de Lestrade was granted access to the case immediately following Kathleen’s death in 2001 in Durham, North Carolina.
Three brand new episodes of “The Staircase” will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 28 before they launch on Netflix this summer alongside the original ten episodes. The series is produced by What’s Up Films, directed by de Lestrade, and produced by Matthieu Belghiti and Allyson Luchak.
- 4/18/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Actors Cary Elwes and Jake Busey will join the “Stranger Things” cast in the show’s third season, Netflix announced Wednesday.
Elwes, known for “The Princess Bride,” will play a character named Mayor Kline, while Busey, from “Starship Troopers,” will play Bruce.
Mayor Kline is being described by Netflix promotional materials as “handsome, slick, and sleazy.” “Your classic ’80s politician – more concerned with his own image than with the people of the small town he governs.” The Bruce character played by Busey is “a journalist for the The Hawkins Post, with questionable morals and a sick sense of humor.”
Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos made the new casting announcement at Netflix’s See What’s Next event in Rome, where the streaming giant announced a slew of new productions from Europe and elsewhere around the world.
As previously announced, Maya Hawke will be one of the new leads in “Stranger Things,...
Elwes, known for “The Princess Bride,” will play a character named Mayor Kline, while Busey, from “Starship Troopers,” will play Bruce.
Mayor Kline is being described by Netflix promotional materials as “handsome, slick, and sleazy.” “Your classic ’80s politician – more concerned with his own image than with the people of the small town he governs.” The Bruce character played by Busey is “a journalist for the The Hawkins Post, with questionable morals and a sick sense of humor.”
Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos made the new casting announcement at Netflix’s See What’s Next event in Rome, where the streaming giant announced a slew of new productions from Europe and elsewhere around the world.
As previously announced, Maya Hawke will be one of the new leads in “Stranger Things,...
- 4/18/2018
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar-winning French director to revisit infamous case of Tennessee novelist accused of murdering wife.
French director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade is set to make a third instalment of his popular real-life crime thriller, The Staircase, revolving around Tennessee novelist Michael Peterson who was accused of murdering his wife in 2001.
Lestrade has followed the case since Peterson’s original trial in 2003 on charges of killing his wife Katherine, who was found in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase with injuries to her head.
That trial – at which Peterson was found guilty — was at the heart of Lestrade’s hit, 2004, HBO-backed miniseries The Staircase.
It is regarded as a seminal true-crime series and Sarah Koenig, creator of the hit podcast Serial, has cited it as one of her inspirations for her own episodic, murder-mystery investigation.
A 2011 one-off feature documentary The Staircase – The Last Chance, followed a retrial of Peterson, after evidence...
French director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade is set to make a third instalment of his popular real-life crime thriller, The Staircase, revolving around Tennessee novelist Michael Peterson who was accused of murdering his wife in 2001.
Lestrade has followed the case since Peterson’s original trial in 2003 on charges of killing his wife Katherine, who was found in a pool of blood at the bottom of a staircase with injuries to her head.
That trial – at which Peterson was found guilty — was at the heart of Lestrade’s hit, 2004, HBO-backed miniseries The Staircase.
It is regarded as a seminal true-crime series and Sarah Koenig, creator of the hit podcast Serial, has cited it as one of her inspirations for her own episodic, murder-mystery investigation.
A 2011 one-off feature documentary The Staircase – The Last Chance, followed a retrial of Peterson, after evidence...
- 11/26/2015
- ScreenDaily
Films include a collaboration between Sing Sing prison inmates and a leading contemporary dance company from Turner Prize nominated visual artist Phil Collins.
Scroll down for full list of projects
Sheffield Doc/Fest (June 5-10) has revealed the titles that will pitch for funding at its MeetMarket initiative, celebrating 10 years in 2015.
A total of 64 filmmaker teams from 19 countries will pitch to international and UK decision makers for research, development and production funding
At Crossover Market, which includes digital titles, a further 26 interactive projects from 12 countries will pitch in one-to-one meetings to a range of specialist decision makers.
Among the Crossover projects being pitched are the latest from Oscar Raby who won last year’s Interactive Audience Award with Assent; and Ram Devineni who attracted funding at last year’s Crossover Market and Tribeca New Media Fund for Priya’s Shakti.
New pitch opportunities this year include a BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra Stories commission for young filmmakers, the Guardian...
Scroll down for full list of projects
Sheffield Doc/Fest (June 5-10) has revealed the titles that will pitch for funding at its MeetMarket initiative, celebrating 10 years in 2015.
A total of 64 filmmaker teams from 19 countries will pitch to international and UK decision makers for research, development and production funding
At Crossover Market, which includes digital titles, a further 26 interactive projects from 12 countries will pitch in one-to-one meetings to a range of specialist decision makers.
Among the Crossover projects being pitched are the latest from Oscar Raby who won last year’s Interactive Audience Award with Assent; and Ram Devineni who attracted funding at last year’s Crossover Market and Tribeca New Media Fund for Priya’s Shakti.
New pitch opportunities this year include a BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra Stories commission for young filmmakers, the Guardian...
- 4/27/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
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