Documentary about the iconic singer will hit theaters in September

Greenwich Entertainment and 1091 have announced that they have co-acquired the North American distribution rights to Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, directed by Academy Award-Winning filmmakers Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman and produced by James Keach and Michele Farinola and CNN Films. The film was co-financed by PCH FILMS and CNN Films. CNN Films also produced the project and has acquired broadcast television rights for North America. Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice will open in theaters this September.

The film premiered to glowing reviews at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival and recently won the Documentary Audience Award at the Provincetown International Film Festival.

With one of the most stunning voices to ever hit the airwaves, Linda Ronstadt burst onto the 1960’s folk rock music scene and became the most successful female musician of the 1970’s. She sold out stadiums around the world and was the highest paid female performer in rock and roll. Ronstadt’s singing range was second to none and she recorded hit records across rock, opera, jazz and Mexican folk, which channeled her Mexican ancestry.

Epstein’s and Friedman’s feature documentary is filled with rare archival footage of Ronstadt’s legendary performances and moving interviews with her iconic friends and collaborators Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Brown and JD Souther. Constructed from interviews over 50 years, Ronstadt narrates the film that documents her career from her early days in Tucson, Arizona through her premature 2011 retirement due to Parkinson’s disease.

“Linda Ronstadt is a rock icon who has wowed audiences across the world for decades and is a staunch human rights advocate,” states Danielle DiGiacomo, SVP of Acquisitions and Strategic Partnerships for 1091, and Ed Arentz, Co-Managing Director of Greenwich Entertainment. “We’re excited to partner with Rob, Jeffrey, James, Michele and CNN to bring this powerful documentary to audiences across the country.”

“Rob and Jeffrey have crafted an inspirational exploration of a singularly exceptional talent and humanitarian,” says Amy Entelis, executive vice president for talent and content development for CNN Worldwide and Courtney Sexton, vice president for CNN Films, who are both executive producers for the film.

“It was a privilege to be entrusted by Linda to make this film,” comments Epstein and Friedman. “We hope audiences have as much fun watching it as we had making it.”

Golden Globe winning producer James Keach, who has been part of some of the most groundbreaking musical films in recent years, said “We are excited to be working with 1091 Media, Greenwich Entertainment and CNN. They will ensure that Linda’s legacy will be shared throughout the world and help pave the way for future generations of Latin X and visionary performers to realize their dreams.”

The deal was negotiated by 1091’s Danielle DiGiacomo, Greenwich’s Ed Arentz and Eric Sloss of Cinetic Media on behalf of the filmmakers, and by Stacey Wolf, vice president for Business Affairs for CNN Worldwide, on behalf of CNN.

The deal between 1091 Media and CNN Films marks their fourth fruitful collaboration. Previously, the two brands brought Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent (2016), Trophy (2017), and Halston (2019) to successful theatrical and television exhibitions.

Directors Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman have been honored with two Academy Awards, five Emmy Awards, and three Peabody Awards. Before becoming filmmaking partners, Epstein won the Academy Award for his documentary The Times of Harvey Milk in 1985. Together with Friedman, their documentary Common Threads won the Academy Award in 1990.