Political Thriller Blends International Intrigue, Social Commentary and a Mystery
Political Thriller on One of the Biggest Rock Bands of the Late ‘60s/early ‘70s Sets
Los Angeles, CA (January, 2, 2024). Freestyle Digital Media is the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group. It has acquired the real-life political thriller documentary WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS? Which will be available to rent/own on all digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms in North America. As well as on DVD, starting on February 27, 2024, through Freestyle Digital Media.
A 2023 Critics Choice Awards nominee for Best Music Documentary, WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS? Reveals the incredible, never-before-told story of a ground-breaking rock band caught in the crosshairs. It was caught between the Right and the Left in a politically polarized America. Becoming an early victim of cancel culture. This compelling story involves the State Department, the White House, and Richard Nixon. Also Henry Kissinger, three oppressive communist regimes, thousands of declassified government documents, and documentary footage suppressed for over 50 years.
The critically-acclaimed film, “What the Hell Happened to Blood Sweat & Tears?” launched in U.S. cinemas in late March 2023. It is playing to packed houses across the country–including a three-week run at New York City’s Quad Cinema—which garnered both outstanding audience response and reviews. Bob Lefsetz of Lefsetz Letter was an early enthusiast, hailing it as “one of the best rock documentaries ever made.” An extensive New York Times feature story discussed how “Cold War politics destroyed one of the most popular bands in America…(in) the strange, intrigue-filled saga of Blood, Sweat & Tears.” John Blistein from Rolling Stone offered “A fascinating look at a little-known chapter of rock history, offering fresh insights and facts while also conjuring perennial questions about propaganda, power and polarization.”
The Official Trailer for Documentary What The Hell Happened To Blood, Sweat & Tears?
Blood, Sweat & Tears is known for the major hits “Spinning Wheel,” “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and “And When I Die.” The group headlined at the Woodstock Festival and won multiple Grammy Awards, most notably 1970’s Album of the Year for the group’s self-titled second album, incredibly besting The Beatles “Abbey Road” and “Johnny Cash at San Quentin.”
WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS? was written, produced, and directed by John Scheinfeld (THE U.S. VS. JOHN LENNON, CHASING TRANE, and WHO IS HARRY NILSSON…?). Executive Producer of the film is James Sears Bryant.
“Digging for the details of this powerful story, we spoke with both band members and Eastern European-based witnesses to the events, discovered pristine never-before-heard audio tapes of the band’s live performances in Yugoslavia, Romania and Poland, and uncovered thousands of declassified government documents buried in a university archive,” said director John Scheinfeld. “These finds were remarkable in that they revealed details even the band members didn’t know.”
About Freestyle Media
The digital distribution unit of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, Freestyle Digital Media, is a premiere multi-platform distributor with direct partnerships across all major cable, satellite, digital, and streaming platforms. Capitalizing on a robust infrastructure, proven track record, and a veteran sales team, Freestyle Digital Media is a true home for independent films. Recent releases include THE ROAD DOG starring comedian Doug Stanhope, SURVIVE starring HBO’s GAME OF THRONES star Sophie Turner and Corey Hawkins, the music documentary profiling blues guitar legends Jimmie Vaughan & Stevie Ray Vaughan, BROTHERS IN BLUES, and DEAR ZOE starring Sadie Sink from the hit Netflix series STRANGER THINGS, Jessica Capshaw and Theo Rossi.
Other Freestyle Digital Media titles include BEST SUMMER EVER the teen musical featuring a fully integrated cast and crew of people with and without disabilities, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson, THE WEDDING YEAR starring Sarah Hyland and Anna Camp, THE LAST PHOTOGRAPH starring Danny Houston, UNTOGETHER starring Jamie Dornan, Jemima Kirke, Ben Mendelsohn, Alice Eve and Billy Crystal, the action-comedy BETTER START RUNNING starring Academy Award-winner Jeremy Irons and Maria Bello, THE BACHELORS starring Academy Award-winner J.K. Simmons, Julie Delpy and Odeya Rush and the award-winning documentary HONDROS produced by Jamie Lee Curtis and Jake Gyllenhaal.
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