THE ZEN OF BENNETT DVD Release Set for November 19
Feature Length Documentary on Legendary Singer Tony Bennett Created and Produced by Danny Bennett
"A tender, touching documentary portrait." - Stephen Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES
"I have loved Bennett the singer since I was quite young and Bennett the man since we became friends a few years ago. Yet I've never had the chance to eavesdrop on him at work, until now. This film affirms every wonderful thing we all feel for this legendary artist." - Alec Baldwin
NEW YORK, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- RPM/Columbia Records announce the release of the DVD version of THE ZEN OF BENNETT, an intimate portrait of legendary singer Tony Bennett, on November 19. The film, which premiered to strong critical and audience reactions at the Tribeca Film Festival in April, also debuted in theaters in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco among others this fall. The DVD version includes exclusive bonus footage of deleted scenes, including clips of Tony with Michael Buble and Lady Gaga as well as interviews with the filmmakers. THE ZEN OF BENNETT DVD is available at retail outlets nationwide as well as on Amazon and iTunes. The documentary film version is also currently available on Netflix.
"THE ZEN OF BENNETT is many things – it's an intimate portrait of the man as he turned 85, as he is now and as I know him," said the film's creator and producer Danny Bennett. "It's also a meditation of contradictions. I wanted to share my unique perspective of the man and his creative process while at the same time explore the apparent isolation he experiences in the midst of the whirlwind of activity that invariably surrounds him during the creative process. I have always been amazed by his uncanny ability to stay focused and remain true to his art in his quest for perfection."
In the documentary, on the eve of singer Tony Bennett's 85th birthday, the artist reflects back over his 60 year career while looking ahead within the context of a recording project. Using a first person narrative, Bennett discusses his philosophies of life, lessons learned, and his passion for art and music. THE ZEN OF BENNETT is a study of the artistic process and how an artist can endure and still be at the top of his game, true to his art and social conscience, while remaining relevant to a multitude of generations.
THE ZEN OF BENNETT is an intimate perspective on Tony's life and personal philosophy. Filmed by Academy Award-winning cinematographer Dion Beebe, the documentary employs a voyeuristic approach while illustrating the isolation experienced by the artist in the midst of the recording sessions for his #1 album Duets II. Illustrating Bennett's creative process are appearances by John Mayer, Lady Gaga, Michael Buble and most poignantly, the late Amy Winehouse, all of whom recorded duets with the singer. THE ZEN OF BENNETT takes the viewer to a variety of locales including Los Angeles, Nashville, London, Italy – including a visit to Bennett's ancestral home in Padagoni, Italy, as well as his home and art studio in New York City, allowing the viewer know this legendary singer in new ways.
The award-winning filmmakers behind THE ZEN OF BENNETT are Danny Bennett, who created and produced the film, director Unjoo Moon, producer Jennifer Lebeau, and Director of Photography Dion Beebe.
For Further Information on THE ZEN OF BENNETT, Please To Go:
Product shots of THE ZEN OF BENNETT available upon request.
ABOUT BENEDETTO FILMS
Benedetto Films was established by Danny Bennett to create films that are both artful and insightful. By using innovative visual effects and intriguing camera techniques, Benedetto Films strives to stylistically tell the story of its subject. Benedetto Films first film is THE ZEN OF BENNETT.
ABOUT TONY BENNETT
Entering his seventh decade as a recording artist with 17 Grammy Awards including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award to his credit, Bennett has earned his legendary status many times over. He remains the Columbia recording artist with the greatest longevity at the label and his DUET II CD, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album charts making him the oldest artist to achieve the top spot at the age of 85. His 2007 prime-time special, "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," won seven Emmy Awards and was directed by Rob Marshall. He is a Kennedy Center Honoree and an NEA Jazz Master. Bennett marched alongside Martin Luther King in his 1965 civil rights march and was honored with the Martin Luther King's Salute to Greatness Award and the UN's Humanitarian Award.
In addition to performing, he is a visual artist as well, with three of his original paintings featured in the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. He has published three books – his autobiography, The Good Life, and two books of his paintings, Tony Bennett: What My Heart Has Seen, and Tony Bennett In the Studio: A Life of Art and Music. This fall marks the release of a new CD, TONY BENNETT: VIVA DUETS, a book Life Is A Gift: The Zen of Bennett.
Bennett founded, in association with the Department of Education in New York City, the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts – a public arts high school in his hometown of Astoria, Queens. With his wife Susan, he established Exploring the Arts, a charitable organization supporting arts education in NYC public high schools. Exploring the Arts supports 14 public high schools throughout New York City.
SOURCE RPM/Columbia Records
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