(Los Angeles) The lyrical and emotional journey charting the extraordinary life of tennis hall of famer, sneaker icon and humanitarian Stan Smithwill begin its US run with red carpet premieres at Los Angeles’Nuart Theater on May 3 andNew York City’sAngelika Film Center on May 10, bringing the film to 50 markets throughout the month of May followingLos AngelesandNew York, includingWashington D.C., Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, San Diego, Honolulu, Arlington, San Francisco, Newport, Columbus, St. Louis, Scottsdale, Cambridge, Indianapolis, Annapolis, Eugene, Frankfort, Royal Oak, Canton, Hartford, Novi, Plymouth, Hilton Head Island,and many more.
Executive produced by LeBron James(“Hustle,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy”),Maverick Carter(“Hustle,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy”),Jamal Henderson (“Hustle,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy”),Alexandra Dell(“Arthur Ashe,” “Lace Up: The Ultimate Sneaker Challenge”), and Donald Dell(“Tennis Our Way,” “Citizen Ashe”),and directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Danny Lee (“30 for 30: Friedman’s Shoes”, “The Express Way”, and Hulu’s “Defining Moments”), the film tells the story of the groundbreaking athlete who went from being one of the world’s greatest tennis stars, to a leading civil rights and AIDS activist, blazing a trail along the way with his namesake Adidas sneakers – the iconic shoe that has become a fashion statement for hip hop musicians and celebrities for more than 50 years. The film features extensive interviews with Stan Smith, his family, and many of the world’s most famous athletes and celebrities including John McEnroe, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, and Donald Dell.
“It was a privilege to tell Stan’s story alongside such incredible partners at UNINTERRUPTED. Stan’s story proves that in the end, it’s not the merit of your accomplishments that matter as much of the merit of your character. That’s the ultimate legacy”shares filmmakerDanny Lee.
Produced by UNINTERRUPTED,the award-winning athlete storytelling brand withinThe SpringHill Company (TSHC)and in association withCALICO “Who Is Stan Smith?”is set to open in more than 50 markets in May through distributorsMonkey Wrench Films –the independent film distribution companyhelmed by filmmakerTom Putnam(“The Dark Divide,” “Burn”), andHenry C. Lystad (“Full Circle”, “Torn”).
"Stan Smith is the epitome of ‘More Than An Athlete’, and we are so excited to partner with Monkey Wrench Films to tell his incredible story to a whole new generation,” said Jamal Henderson, Chief Content Officer of The SpringHill Company.
More than the namesake of one of the most iconic sneakers, Stan Smith has lived a champion’s life on and off the tennis court. Chronicling his rise from collegiate superstar to World No.1 and beyond, Smith blazed new paths for athletes, both as a fashion icon and a humanitarian. Complete with intimate first-person accounts and dynamic archival materials, “Who Is Stan Smith?” is a powerful and inspiring portrait of the man behind the shoe that became a movement.
“Few legends have been true game changers across so many fields - tennis, shoes, pop culture, activism. It’s an honor to help share Stan Smith’s story with audiences.” States Henry C. Lystad, CEO of Monkey Wrench Films.
“Who Is Stan Smith?” highlights Smith’s tennis accomplishments and covers his humanitarian feats off the tennis court and how Smith’s relationship with Arthur Ashe heavily inspired his anti-racist activism, followed by his relationship with Black tennis player, Mark Mathabane, whom Smith helped escape from apartheid in South Africa.
“Who Is Stan Smith?” is directed by Danny Lee (“30 for 30: Friedman’s Shoes”, “The Express Way”, and Hulu’s “Defining Moments”); and executive produced by LeBron James (“Hustle,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy”), Maverick Carter (“Hustle,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy”), Jamal Henderson (“Hustle,” “Space Jam: A New Legacy”), Alexandra Dell (“Arthur Ashe,” “Lace Up: The Ultimate Sneaker Challenge”), and Donald Dell (“Tennis Our Way,” “Citizen Ashe”); co-executive produced by Camille Maratchi (“Fate of a Sport,” “The Shop”); produced by Philip Byron (“The Redeem Team,” “Dreamland: the Burning of Black Wall Street”), Rebecca Halpern (“American Greed,” “Helter Skelter: An America Myth”) and Danny Lee ; archival producers Ruby Lanet (“Water Rises,” “Open Wide”), and Vanessa Maruskin (“Vice,” “Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men”); supervising producer Blake Bruns (“Facing Nolan,” “The 2010’s”); and associate producer Matt Pare(“After Jackie,” “The 5 th Quarter”); cinematography by David J. Myrick (“Bullet Train,” “Rumble Through the Dark”); with original music by Cyrus Melchor (“LFG,” “CSI: NY”); and edited by Kelsey Sante (“Broken Hearts,” “Deer In The Headlight”) and Todd Schroeder (“Married to Medicine,” Married at First Sight”).
About UNINTERRUPTED:
UNINTERRUPTED is the award-winning athlete storytelling brand, within The SpringHill Company (TSHC), founded by LeBron James and Maverick Carter, that combines revolutionary content, experiences and consumer products.. Since 2015, the UNINTERRUPTED brand has existed to partner with athletes to invite the sports community to celebrate the humanity in sport through culturally connected content. UNINTERRUPTED original content properties and franchises includeTop Class, Iman Amongst Menand more. The award-winning studio team for the UNINTERRUPTED brand develops and produces high-quality sports-centered television, film, and theatrical releases with the biggest creators, brands and platforms in the world. All UNINTERRUPTED studio projects are empowerment led, where content isn’t simply to entertain, but to inspire with thought-provoking themes, conversations and journeys. Studio projects within the unscripted and documentary space for UNINTERRUPTED include What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali, Greatness Code ,Top Class, Golden: The Journey of USA's Elite Gymnasts, The Redeem Team and more. For more information visit www.uninterrupted.com and follow @UNINTERRUPTED on social media.
About CALICO:
The brainchild of filmmaker Danny Lee, CALICO is a 100% BIPOC-owned, award-winning production company dedicated to culturally authentic + impactful storytelling through inventive filmmaking. In TV + film, CALICO has produced projects for HBO, Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, Showtime, ESPN, PBS, Uninterrupted, Starz, and more. CALICO is also an MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) certified company. For more info, visit www.calico.la
About Monkey Wrench Films:
As self-proclaimed “industry disruptors,” Monkey Wrench Films specializes in bringing well-deserved independent films to the big screen while creating post-show buzz in the entertainment industry. Their recent feature film releases include Geoff Marslett’s “Quantum Cowboys”, starring Lily Gladstone and David Arquette, Tom Putnam’s“ The Dark Divide”, starring David Cross and Debra Messing, alongside the award-winning documentaries “Finding Her Beat,” “Mom & Dad’s Nipple Factory,” Monster Energy’s big wave documentary “Ground Swell: The Other Side of Fear,” and National Geographic's "Path of The Panther.”