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HBO and producer Gavin Polone are teaming for a behind-the scenes drama about the Santa Barbara clan and the making of "An American Family," the groundbreaking documentary series that featured them.
Titled "Cinema Verite," the film was written by David Seltzer ("The Omen"), with writing-directing duo Shari Springer Berman and Bob Pulcini ("American Splendor") onboard to direct.
"American Family," from Oscar-winning documentary filmmakers Alan and Susan Raymond ("I Am a Promise: The Children of Stanton Elementary School"), premiered in 1973 on PBS and stirred a considerable amount of controversy for exploring subjects rarely seen on TV at that time.
Long before Kate and Jon Gosselin's marital problems played out on TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8," Pat Loud, the mother and central character on "Family," asked her husband, Bill, for a divorce midway through the series.
At least as shocking was the coming-out of the Louds' eldest son, Lance, who became television's first openly gay character.
In 1983, HBO and the Raymonds took an updated look at the clan with the one-hour "An American Family Revisited: The Louds 10 Years Later."
The Raymonds will serve as consultants on "Cinema Verite," as will Andreas Killen, author of the book "1973 Nervous Breakdown: Watergate, Warhol, and the Birth of Post-Sixties America." Polone is executive producing.
The project is in the late stages of development, with discussions on casting under way. |
