HBO's New Documentary Faye to Premiere on July 14th

HBO is set to unveil its latest original documentary, Faye, on July 14th on Max, the streaming platform from Warner Bros. Discovery. Directed and produced by acclaimed filmmaker Laurent Bouzereau, known for his work on Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind and Mama's Boy, the documentary made its world premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

Faye delves into the life and career of the iconic actress Dorothy Faye Dunaway. Raised by a single mother and an alcoholic father, Dunaway found solace and purpose in the world of theater. She was mentored by the renowned director Elia Kazan and playwright William Alfred, whose play Hogan's Goat helped launch her career in 1965. Dunaway's career, marked by three Oscar nominations and a win in 1976 for Network, is explored through her personal and professional highs and lows.

The documentary sheds light on Dunaway's complex persona, reflecting on her roles in classics such as Bonnie and Clyde, Chinatown, and Network. These characters often mirrored traits of her personality and the era's social climate, earning her both criticism and acclaim. Dunaway candidly discusses her struggles with alcoholism and bipolar disorder, her reputation as a difficult artist, and her impactful yet tumultuous career. The film also revisits her cult role in Mommie Dearest, which almost derailed her career despite its success with audiences.

With testimonials from her son, Liam Dunaway O'Neill, and notable colleagues and friends like Sharon Stone, Mickey Rourke, and director James Gray, Faye offers an intimate look at the actress's life. The documentary also features insights from author Mark Harris, journalist Robin Morgan, film professor Annette Insdorf, photographer and director Jerry Schatzberg, and author David Itzkoff.

Faye is an Amblin Documentaries production in collaboration with Nedland Media. It boasts a talented production team including Laurent Bouzereau, Markus Keith, Justin Falvey, and Darryl Frank, with Jason Summers as the editor and Tyler Strickland as the composer. The cinematography team includes Travers Jacobs, Chris Johnson, and Toby Thiermann. HBO's executive producers for the documentary are Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, and Sara Rodriguez.

Max, Warner Bros. Discovery's streaming platform, continues to offer a diverse range of quality programming, including HBO Originals and Max Originals series, Warner Bros. films, and more. Since its US launch in May 2023 and its expansion to 39 Latin American and Caribbean territories in February 2024, Max has become a go-to source for extraordinary stories for every household member.

Synopsis:
Oscar-winning actress and Hollywood legend Faye Dunaway recounts the highs and lows of her illustrious career in Faye, the first feature-length documentary dedicated to her. Faye Dunaway's introspective look at her life and filmography, complete with testimonials from colleagues and friends, puts her life in context and exposes her mental health problems and the double standards she has been subjected to as a woman in Hollywood.

Faye
Directed by Laurent Bouzereau
Produced by Laurent Bouzereau, Markus Keith, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey
Cinematography : Travers Jacobs, Chris Johnson, Toby Thiermann
Edited by Jason Summers
Music by Tyler Strickland
Production companies : HBO Documentary Films, Amblin Documentaries, Nedland Media
Distributed by HBO
Release dates : May 15, 2024 (Cannes), July 13, 2024 (HBO)
Running time : 91 minutes

(Source : press release)