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After Tackling Dylan and the Stones, Martin Scorsese Aims His Cameras at the ‘Rock Star President’ for New HBO Documentary

Dec 17, 2012  •  Post A Comment

Legendary film director Martin Scorsese has increasingly turned his attention to documentaries in recent years, and his subjects have often been rock stars: Bob Dylan in the 2005 “American Masters” project “No Direction Home”; the Rolling Stones in the 2008 film “Shine a Light”; and George Harrison in the 2011 HBO piece “Living in the Material World.”

Next up for Scorsese will be an HBO project focusing on a former U.S. president who has been described as the first “rock star president” — Bill Clinton. The Los Angeles Times reports that Scorsese will produce and direct a Clinton doc for the pay-cable channel.

Clinton is cooperating with the project, which will focus on his time in office and the years since he left the White House, the piece reports.

In a joint statement, HBO Chief Executive Richard Plepler and programming President Michael Lombardo said: “President Clinton is one of the most compelling figures of our time, whose world view and perspective, combined with his uncommon intelligence, make him a singular voice on the world stage. This documentary, under Marty’s gifted direction, creates a unique opportunity for the President to reflect on myriad issues that have consumed his attention and passion throughout both his Presidency and post-Presidency.”

The project expands on Scorsese’s already strong relationship with HBO, including executive producing the series “Boardwalk Empire.”

HBO unveiled “41,” a documentary about George H.W. Bush, earlier this year.

No air date has been announced for the new project, on which Steve Bing will serve as a producer.

One Comment

  1. We focus far too much on whether our Presidents are “Rock Stars” or “Cool” and far to less on the job they’re doing. What a shame…

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