EPIX to Present Original Documentary on Filmmaker Robert Altman Today

Premium entertainment network EPIX announced today that Altman, a 90-minute EPIX Original Documentary on legendary filmmaker Robert Altman produced and directed by Ron Mann, makes its WORLD Television Premiere on EPIX today, August 6, at 8PM ET. Featuring rare interviews, clips from his groundbreaking films, and insightful musings from key collaborators and family members, Altman offers a unique portrait of the maverick filmmaker often called the father of independent cinema.

Robert Altman's career left an indelible mark not only on the cinematic art form, but also the cultural zeitgeist. From his start in television directing "Alfred Hitchcock Presents," "Bonanza" and "Kraft Suspense Theatre" to his genre-busting films M*A*S*H, McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Nashville, The Player, Short Cuts, Gosford Park, to A Prairie Home Companion, Altman defied Hollywood conventions and reinvented what television and movies could be. Altman takes viewers through the highs and lows of the uncompromising visionary's half-century career.

"Robert Altman was one of the greatest American filmmakers of our time," said Mark Greenberg, EPIX President and CEO. "He was a risk taker whose style of storytelling inspired his fellow filmmakers and delighted actors. Ron Mann's film is a wonderful testament to the extraordinary life and career of Robert Altman, and we're sure that EPIX viewers will enjoy this fascinating look at the man and the artist."

Although Robert Altman's unique filmmaking style won him many friends and worldwide praise, the rebel auteur also received scathing criticism, often from studio executives, for not playing by Hollywood's rules. Throughout his crowning glories and utter catastrophes, Altman remained dedicated to collaborative creation. Altman provides fresh commentary from the key players who frequently took part in this collaboration including his wife Kathryn Reed Altman and children Bobby, Michael, Stephen, Matthew and Christine Altman. The documentary also features appearances by Paul Thomas Anderson, James Caan, Keith Carradine, Elliott Gould, Philip Baker Hall, Sally Kellerman, Lyle Lovett, Julianne Moore, Michael Murphy, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams and Bruce Willis.

Along with the television premiere on August 6, EPIX will present Altman's The Long Goodbye and Popeye as part of the evening's celebration, and will feature a slate of his films all month on EPIX On Demand.

Altman an EPIX Original Documentary is produced by Ron Mann of Sphinx Productions, in association with The Movie Network, a Division of Bell Media Inc., Movie Central, and with the participation of the Ontario Media Development Corporation, Rogers Documentary Fund, Rogers Cable Network Fund, the Canada Media Fund and the Canadian Film or Video Production Tax Credit, and directed by Ron Mann. Jill Burkhart is the executive producer for EPIX.