New Warner Brothers Documentary Keeps Things All In The Family  

It's a wrap on principal photography for director Cass Warner's intimate documentary on legacy of her family - the family that gave the world everything from Bogart to Bugs Bunny.

Under the aegis of original brothers Harry, Jack, Sam and Albert, the WB was also known for gritty, socially conscious themes that took on the human condition in films like "I Am A Fugitive From A Chain Gang," "Black Legion," and "Confessions of a Nazi Spy." And that's where this Warner descendant lays claim for her filmmaking forefathers.

Cass, the President of the aptly named independent production company, Warner Sisters, is the granddaughter of Warner founder Harry. She's also the author of the family's definitive biography, "Hollywood Be Thy Name." The book - and now this film - mark the culmination of a promise Cass made to her grandfather on his deathbed.

Tentatively titled "The Brothers Warner," the feature doc looks at the fascinating lives of these American icons filtered through the lens of contemporary Hollywood and framed by the unique perspective of Warner herself.

Warner credits digital video and the explosion of the documentary form with making the film possible. "I've wanted to tell the story of the Brothers on film for so long and digital technology has finally made it feasible," Cass said. "And since my grandfather was known for making gritty, socially conscious films, it seems only fitting to tell his, and the other brothers' story in a documentary where relevant films live today."

She wanted to deliver her vision with a seasoned documentary team, and is co-writing and producing the doc with Oscar nominated filmmaker Eddie Schmidt, whose writing & producing credits include last year's "This Film Is Not Yet Rated" and HBO's Oscar-nominated "Twist Of Faith."

Thus far, interviewees have lined up for the pic, with an impressively eclectic cast of movers and shakers past and present that includes Dennis Hopper, Angie Dickinson, Haskell Wexler, and Morgan Spurlock. In total, filmmakers have interviewed over 30 actors, filmmakers, moguls and cultural analysts.

Rounding out the team are director of photography Arlene Donnelly-Nelson ("A Mighty Wind"), herself a documentarian with HBO's "Naked World" and "Naked States" films, as well as Grammy Award winning producer, arranger and composer David Campbell as composer and music supervisor. Editor Stephen Malik, who so impressed Warner and Schmidt with his work on an in-progress trailer, was brought on to edit the feature, currently on track for fall festival submissions.

Warner and Schmidt funded the film privately with help from the IDA (International Documentary Association)'s Fiscal Sponsorship Program. Currently in preliminary talks with potential distributors from the theatrical and premium cable world, Warner and Schmidt may opt to take the doc on the festival route before signing any deals.

"Since 2008 marks the 85th anniversary of Warner Brothers' founding with Harry Warner at the helm, our timing is perfect," noted Warner, who is also planning a companion book about the making of the film.

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(Publicist - Marlan Willardson marlan@mw-pr.com)

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The Brothers Warner Documentary