A&E TO PREMIERE “OL’ DIRTY BASTARD: A TALE OF TWO DIRTYS” ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 AT 9PM ET/PT
DEFINITIVE DOCUMENTARY ON THE LIFE OF ODB, WU-TANG CLAN FOUNDING MEMBER, FEATURING INTERVIEWS WITH MARIAH CAREY, WU-TANG CLAN MEMBERS RAEKWON AND GHOSTFACE KILLAH, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND MORE
ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINEE SAM POLLARD AND JASON POLLARD DIRECT
PRODUCED BY PULSE FILMS, FOUR SCREENS, AND THE OL’ DIRTY BASTARD ESTATE IN ASSOCIATION WITH GROUPM MOTION ENTERTAINMENT
New York, NY – July 16, 2024 – A&E presents “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” the first official documentary about the iconic Grammy®-nominated musician and legendary founding member of the hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. Co-directed by Emmy® and Peabody Award-winning Director Sam Pollard (MLK/FBI, Black Art: In The Absence of Light) alongside his son Jason Pollard (Get Me Roger Stone, Bitchin’ The Sound and Fury of Rick James), the two-hour special premieres Sunday, August 25 at 9pm ET/PT on A&E.
Produced by Pulse Films (Beastie Boys Story, Meet Me in the Bathroom), Four Screens, and the Ol’ Dirty Bastard Estate in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment, “Ol Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” features access to his closest friends and family, including Mariah Carey, Wu-Tang Clan members Raekwon and Ghostface Killah, ODB’s wife Icelene Jones, his son Bar-Sun Jones, his parents, recording industry executives, and more. With never-before-seen personal archive shot by his wife, Icelene, this culture-defining special humanizes ODB as a man, a father, and a husband like never before. This definitive documentary provides an intimate picture of ODB’s life and reflects on the lasting impact he had on music and culture.
“Part of A&E’s DNA is telling the stories of iconic people who have left a lasting impact on culture and the world,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, Executive Vice President and Head of Programming for A&E. “‘Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys’ does just that with intimate, never-before-seen footage and interviews with the people who knew him best. The documentary tells his story while celebrating his life and his lasting impact on hip-hop and the music industry.”
Born Russell Jones in 1968 in Brooklyn, NY, ODB developed a unique persona and rhyme style that set him apart from his contemporaries. In his short 35 years of life and long after his passing, ODB has had a significant influence on a whole generation of fans and performers. The documentary centers on ODB’s solo career, from his first album release in 1995 until his untimely passing from a drug overdose in 2004. Charting his meteoric rise and heart-breaking fall, the film interweaves a modern narrative that looks back at his trauma-filled childhood to examine how it influenced the man and artist he would become. A celebration of his artistry and legacy, the documentary is an unflinching look at the complexities of his life including addiction, adultery, fame, mental illness, sudden wealth, race and criminal justice, and asks the question of just how complicit the media and music industry were in hastening his demise.
“I am so happy to have brought this documentary about my husband’s life to the screen. He was and is an inspiration to my family, children, and fans across the world. It’s been amazing to work on this project with my partners at Four Screens, as well as Pulse and A&E,” says administrator of the Estate of ODB and wife Icelene Jones. “Like all of hip-hop, I have missed his energy. This project has let me know that he is alive and well in all of our hearts.”
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“Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” will be available on demand and to stream the next day on the A&E app, AETV.com, and across major TV providers’ VOD platforms. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys.” For more information on the film, visit the official website.
“Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys” is produced for A&E by Pulse Films, Four Screens, and the Ol’ Dirty Bastard Estate in association with GroupM Motion Entertainment. The film is directed by Sam Pollard and Jason Pollard. Sam Bridger, Nelesh Dhand, and Alice Rhodes serve as executive producers for Pulse Films. Chet Fenster and Richard Foster serve as executive producers for GroupM Motion Entertainment. Messiah Jacobs, Nicole Beckett, Icelene Jones, and Bar-Sun Jones serve as executive producers representing Four Screens and the Ol’ Dirty Bastard Estate. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serve as executive producers for A&E.
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About A&E
A&E leads the cultural conversation through high-quality, original programming that captivates viewers and brings them to the heart of the stories that matter. Through its distinctive brand of award-winning non-fiction and documentary programming, A&E always makes entertainment an art. For more press information and photography, please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.
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About Pulse Films
Pulse Films, a VICE Studios Group company, is an award-winning focused production house dedicated to creating moments of culture and shaping the future of visual storytelling across its divisions of: Scripted, Music Documentaries, Commercials and Music Videos. Also, representing a global roster of commercial directors featuring some of the most sought-after talent in the industry the company has a reputation for undertaking premium productions. Recent credits include multi series drama Gangs of London, for Sky and AMC+, feature film Bad Apples starring Saoirse Ronan, Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now (Netflix), SXSW official selection Omar and Cedric If This Ever Gets Weird, Victoria’s Secret: The Tour 23 (Amazon). The company has also produced music videos and commercials starring the likes of WBNA hotshot Catilin Clark, and global superstars Harry Styles and Stormzy.
About the Estate of ODB
The Estate of Ol’ Dirty Bastard, managed by Four Screens is dedicated to promoting the legacy of a Platinum Recording Artist and unique American hip hop icon. Ol’ Dirty Bastard was a founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, a rap group that first rose to mainstream prominence with their 1993 debut album Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers). After establishing the Wu-Tang Clan, Ol’ Dirty Bastard went on to pursue a successful solo career, working with musicians such as Mariah Carey, Kelis, Pras, Mya and Wyclef Jean. His solo albums include 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version and N***a Please.
About Four Screens
Four Screens operates in the intersection of media development, production and talent management.
As they lead Hollywood towards a paradigm shift, Four Screens focuses on holistic management with legacy clients including the heavyweight champion Smokin’ Joe Frazier and platinum recording artist Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
Four Screens finds its success in centering stories around underrepresented voices and champions a diverse creative team not just in front of the camera but in every role necessary for a successful production. Four Screens knows that the most authentic stories are told by those who live them.
About GroupM Motion Entertainment
GroupM Motion Entertainment funds, develops, produces and distributes premium television, digital content and award-winning programming around the globe in partnership with the world’s leading producers, talent, networks, and platforms. Through innovative commercial and creative partnerships Motion works alongside GroupM agencies to produce original brand-funded content and unique entertainment partnerships that create value and help clients play a positive and active role in culture. The company has co-produced over 2,100 series, equating to over 33,000 hours of television across all programming genres. Motion currently operates in 44 countries worldwide with headquarters in London and Los Angeles. GroupM Motion Entertainment is part of GroupM, a WPP company.