“I love this film! It’s a warm and wonderful tribute
to my dear friend, Gene. Don’t miss it!”
– Mel Brooks
Kino Lorber has acquired all rights worldwide to Ron Frank’s documentary Remembering Gene Wilder, a moving and entertaining portrait of the life and career of the beloved actor and comedian. Featuring an extensive array of highlights from Wilder’s most memorable films as well as interviews with his closest friends, family, and fellow comics, Remembering Gene Wilder has screened at film festivals throughout the US and will next be featured as the Closing Night Film of the New York Jewish Film Festival on January 24. Kino Lorber is planning a theatrical release in March 2024, followed by a home video, nontheatrical, and digital release on all major platforms.
Directed by Ron Frank and written by Glenn Kirschbaum, Remembering Gene Wilder was the Opening Night Selection of the Boston and San Francisco Jewish Film Festivals, as well as the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival, where it won Best Picture. The film is executive produced by husband and wife producing team David Knight and Julie Nimoy of Health Point Productions; Julie’s father, Leonard Nimoy, was Wilder’s longtime friend and onetime director.
Remembering Gene Wilder is a loving tribute to Gene Wilder that celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an extraordinary string of film roles: from his collaborations with Mel Brooks in The Producers, Young Frankenstein, and Blazing Saddles, to his inspired on-screen partnership with Richard Pryor in movies like Silver Streak, to originating the strange and magical title role of the mysterious chocolatier in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, most recently portrayed by Timothee Chalamet. Alongside his brilliant career, Remembering Gene Wilder also captures intimate moments from Wilder’s private life, including his Jewish upbringing in Milwaukee, marriage to Gilda Radner, and his final chapter living with Alzheimer’s. Illustrated by a variety of touching and hilarious clips and outtakes from Willy Wonka, Blazing Saddles, and more; never-before-seen home movies; narration by Wilder himself from the audiobook of his memoir; and interviews with some of his most brilliant friends and collaborators, including Mel Brooks, Alan Alda, Carol Kane, and his widow Karen Boyer Wilder, Remembering Gene Wilder reminds us what an essential performer, writer, and director Gene Wilder was, an all-around mensch beloved by all those whose lives he touched.
The deal for Remembering Gene Wilder was negotiated by Kino Lorber Senior Vice President Wendy Lidell and entertainment attorney Gary Goldberger.
“It's hard to not have a smile on your face when Gene Wilder is on screen – whether you're watching him as Willy Wonka, Leo Bloom, Dr. Frankenstein, or any of his wildly creative, instantly memorable characters, Wilder's humor, warmth, and effortless charisma is universally appealing,” said Wendy Lidell, SVP of Theatrical Distribution and Acquisitions for Kino Lorber. “In this loving, career-spanning documentary, Ron Frank has captured both the public Gene Wilder that we all know and love as well as the more private Gene, a funny, kind, and gentle man beloved by his family, friends, and confidants. We're thrilled to share this film with audiences worldwide, so they can join us in spending 92 delicious minutes with the magical man behind the characters we love.”
“I first met Gene Wilder the way so many did: as a kid in the cinema, laughing so hard at Blazing Saddles that I nearly fell off my seat. It's been a privilege to laugh, cry, and reminisce about Gene as we worked on this documentary, and it couldn't have been done without the support of his wife Karen, his family, and so many of his closest friends. We're delighted to partner with Kino Lorber to bring this film to audiences everywhere and celebrate Gene's legacy,” said director Ron Frank.