Sony Pictures Classics has acquired worldwide rights to “Carlos,” an expansive documentary about Latin American jazz fusion icon Carlos Santana, directed by Emmy winner Rudy Valdez (“The Sentence,” “We Are: The Brooklyn Saints”).
“Rudy Valdez’s ‘Carlos’ showcases the genius behind the musical sensation that has led Carlos Santana’s music to resonate with international audiences throughout a number of generations,” acknowledged Sony Pictures Classics. “We are so happy to associate with our pals at Imagine Documentaries and Sony Music Entertainment to assist share Carlos’ outstanding story that’s as complicated, full of life and galvanizing as his music.”
Last May, Variety solely introduced that the feature-length documentary was within the works. The movie follows Santana’s journey from a 14-year-old road musician to a 10-time Grammy-winning international sensation, and options unseen archival footage and music, providing “an intimate and exhilarating look contained in the thoughts of an elemental power of latest music.”
“I’m honored and humbled to inform Carlos Santana’s story as a director,” Valdez mentioned. “Carlos is a real trailblazer who has meant a lot to so many individuals. My hope is that this movie is a celebration of a life outlined by humanity. It was extremely impactful to see somebody who seems like me blow up the boundaries and expectations the world had positioned on him as a Mexican immigrant and particular person of coloration, and I’m thrilled to be placing this story out into the world.”
The filmmaker additionally praised the groups at Imagine Documentaries and Sony Music Entertainment – who collectively financed the movie — for his or her assist, including that, “The movie couldn’t have discovered a greater distribution associate than Sony Pictures Classics. In their fingers the movie may have the chance to achieve the plenty and guarantee as many individuals as potential get an opportunity to expertise Carlos’ magic.”
“Carlos” is produced by Sara Bernstein and Justin Wilkes for Imagine, together with Lizz Morhaim. The movie is govt produced by Academy Award-winning producers and Imagine co-founders Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.
Leopoldo Gout (“Molly’s Game”), Ashley Kahn (“Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool”) and Sam Pollard (“MLK/FBI”) additionally function producers. Also credited are co-executive producer Meredith Kaulfers for Imagine Documentaries, govt producer Michael Vrionis and govt producers Tom Mackay and Richard Story for Sony Music Entertainment.
A launch date for the documentary has not but been set.
In addition to 10 Grammys, Santana is a three-time Latin Grammy Award winner, an inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the Billboard Century Award and the celebrated Kennedy Center Honors. Santana is listed at No. 15 on Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and has joined the Rolling Stones as one among solely two bands to have an album attain the Top 10 in each decade because the Sixties.
News of the documentary comes because the legendary, 75-year-old guitarist and his band set to start touring North America this summer season on the “1001 Rainbows Tour,” performing hits from their 50-year profession. Santana is again on the street after he was compelled to postpone dates on the 2022 “Miraculous Supernatural” tour because of well being problems. He’s additionally set to start a residency in Las Vegas on the House of Blues Manadalay Bay this fall.
