Pythons to Attend Ziegfeld Theater Premiere of Theatrical Version of the Original IFC Documentary "Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut)"
Event Will Include Q&A with the Pythons Followed by a Special BAFTA Award Presentation
New York, NY – August 18, 2009 – The Independent Film Channel (IFC) and The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) today announced the official reunion of the legendary comedy troupe Monty Python to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the creation of Monty Python and the troupe’s lifetime achievements. The event will be held on October 15, 2009 at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City.
"I believe these trinkets are more important than people think," said John Cleese.
The complete Python troupe – John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin and even the late Graham Chapman – will attend this official Python reunion event, which will include a screening of the theatrical version of the Original IFC documentary Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut). Following the screening, all five surviving members of the Monty Python team will sit down for a Q&A discussion and will be presented with a Special Award from BAFTA to honor their outstanding contribution to film and television.
"This event will be a part of pop culture history. IFC is honored to co-host this celebratory occasion and air the definitive documentary tribute to one of comedy’s greatest legends," said Jennifer Caserta, executive vice president and general manager of IFC. "Everyone has their favorite Python moments, and they continue to inspire new generations of comedians. This premiere will be the grand finale of an entire year of original alternative comedy on IFC."
IFC will air the full six-hour version of Monty Python: Almost the Truth (The Lawyer’s Cut) during the network’s six day "Python-a-thon" premiering Sunday, October 18, at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT.
David Parfitt, Chairman of BAFTA, said: "We’re absolutely delighted to co-host this event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the incomparable Monty Python. It promises to be a rare and memorable occasion bringing the hugely talented Monty Python team together again, and we feel that the Special Award is a fitting tribute to this much-loved and singularly British institution. I would like to thank in particular our colleagues at BAFTA East Coast for inspiring the event and our co-hosts, IFC."
A select number of tickets will be available to fans online at www.IFC.com in mid-September. Please visit the IFC website for more information as it becomes available.
Notes To Editors:
Special Awards are given in the Gift of the Academy’s Board of Trustees to recognize a significant contribution in film, television or video games. Previous recipients include: Lord Attenborough, Dame Judi Dench, Carl Davies, Julie Walters, Billy Connolly, Jack Cardiff, Audrey Hepburn, Dame Maggie Smith and Eon Productions to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of James Bond. Visit www.bafta.org for more information.
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public.
About BAFTA East Coast
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, East Coast (BAFTA East Coast) was launched in February 1996 in New York City as the second affiliated organization of The British Academy in the United States. Please visit our website at www.baftaeastcoast.com
About IFC
Operating under the mantra "always, uncut," IFC (The Independent Film Channel) recommends and creates genre-bending content that indulges the alternative culture obsessions of our influential audience and makes it available across multiple platforms: on-air, online and On Demand. In pursuit of what’s new, next and relevant, IFC creates original non-traditional comedies like The Whitest Kids U’ Know and Z Rock and irreverent non-fiction such as The IFC Media Project. IFC’s original programming airs alongside a comprehensive independent film library of award-winning titles and cult classics, as well as content inspired by Music, Web, Gaming, Animation, News & Culture and more. IFC broadens the audience for independent culture through its exclusive live coverage of notable film and music events like the Independent Spirit Awards and South by Southwest. The network’s on demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of all of IFC’s original series before they air on the linear network. IFC Media Lab offers financing, professional development and distribution opportunities for aspiring film makers. IFC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.