Stephen Kijak: Last News

Director Stephen Kijak does something disarmingly unexpected with the opening minutes of his biographical documentary “Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed.” He gives us the de rigueur rapid-fire “why he mattered” montage, of course; it’s all but written into law for films like this. But while most bio-docs make that their credit sequence (usually ending on a profound quote from the subject, and then a hard cut to title), this one puts it after the title and the real opening; the pre-title sequence here is a mini-fantasia, a very queer visualization of one of Hudson’s dreams, a vivid illustration of how he saw himself.

Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed, the latest in-depth documentary portrait by Sid & Judy director Stephen Kijak.Kijak’s films, both narrative and nonfiction, have delved into cultural icons from Judy Garland to Lynyrd Skynyrd to the Backstreet Boys. For this entertaining bio, he worked closely with author Mark Griffin — whose 2018 All That Heaven Allows: A Biography of Rock Hudson is considered definitive — “to look at all the facets and angles, and the reflections and double meanings and mirror selves” presented by the bright, ex-Navy seaman from Winnetka, Illinois, who became Rock Hudson.“He was in some of the more indelible films of those classic eras,” Kijak says, ticking off Hudson’s famous Douglas Sirk-directed romances Magnificent Obsession and All That Heaven Allows.

AIDS diagnosis — himself included.The Hollywood heartthrob had made a guest appearance on the hit soap opera “Dynasty” in 1984, just months after he first found out he’d tested positive for HIV, the virus which causes AIDS.According to Stephen Kijak, director of the new documentary “Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed,” Hudson was “terrified” of kissing co-star Linda Evans, as he was scared he would give her a “lethal injection” of his illness. The “Giant” star had concealed his disease from the public and even had used a medley of oral hygiene products like mouthwash in an attempt to protect Evans, 80.“Nobody knew,” Kijak told Fox News recently.

Addie Morfoot Contributor While gender, race and politically-themed documentaries are once again prevalent at Tribeca Festival, celebrity-driven docus dominate this year’s nonfiction lineup.David Gelb’s “Stan Lee,” Stephen Kijak’s “Rock Hudson: All That Heaven Allowed,” Luke Korem’s “Milli Vanilli,” Frank Marshall’s “Rather,” Betsy Schechter’s “Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive,” and Fernando Villena’s Oscar De La Hoya doc “The Golden Boy” are among the nonfiction titles focused on a bold face name screening at Tribeca, which kicks off on June 7.Marshall calls “Rather,” about longtime news anchor Dan Rather, a “very personal project.”“The collection of stories (Rather) has covered, it’s my history and the history of our country over the past 60 years,” says Marshall. “Dan dreamed of being a reporter and spent a large part of his career in journalism at CBS, including anchoring the CBS Evening News for twenty-four years, so it seemed natural to come to New York City and celebrate the world premiere of our film at Tribeca.”For director Michael Selditch, Tribeca Festival was also the perfect location for the world premiere of his latest docu “Happy Clothes: A Film About Patricia Field,” about the iconic costume designer known best for her work on “Sex and the City.”“Tribeca seemed to make a lot of sense because it is a New York story and Patricia is a New York icon,” says Selditch.The director originally asked Field to be the subject of a documentary in 2019, but she declined.

One of Hollywood's most famous leading men is getting the feature documentary treatment. Rock Hudson: Accidental Activist comes from Stephen Kijak (Scott Walker: 30 Century Man, We Are X) and producers George Chignell (Citizen K, Listen to Me Marlon) and Will Clarke (Horrible Histories: The Movies —Rotten Romans, Filth), with Altitude set to produce and handle international sales, introducing the project to buyers at the virtual American Film Market next week.

The Smiths has confirmed release plans.Shoplifters of the World, an upcoming film inspired by true events, focuses on four friends in the 1980s who are devastated about the sudden split of the band.Plot-wise, the story will take place over one night as four friends intersect with a local radio station which is hijacked by a Smiths fan.The film is set to star Joe Manganiello, Ellar Coltrane, Helena Howard and Elena Kampouris.

Manori Ravindran International EditorAMC Networks-owned RLJE Films has swooped for U.S. rights to “Shoplifters of the World.”Inspired by true events, “Shoplifters of the World” is set over the course of one night in the life of four friends who are reeling from the sudden dissolution of British band The Smiths.