LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY, A Film by Bruce David Klein

Moving, playful doc on legendary showbiz icon Liza Minnelli

From Halston to Bob Fosse, the film explores the mentors who made Liza a star, 

featuring interviews with luminaries who know her well – Michael Feinstein, Mia Farrow, 

Ben Vereen, Joel Grey and the late Chita Rivera – along with the revelatory participation by the star herself

Also includes never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage from Liza’s 1970s European Tour

Opens Jan. 24, 2025 at IFC Center in New York,

Jan. 31 at Laemmle’s Royal in Los Angeles and Town Center in Encino, 

with a national rollout to follow via Zeitgeist Films in Association with Kino Lorber

“I was born, and they took a picture,” says Liza Minnelli, in reference to the reality of growing up in the flashbulb-popping, gossip-saturated spotlight. Minnelli’s star shines brightly in the acclaimed new documentary LIZA: A TRULY TERRIFIC ABSOLUTELY TRUE STORY. The film, a production of Atlas Media Corp and written/directed by Bruce David Klein, makes its way onto the silver screen via Zeitgeist Films in association with Kino Lorber, opening  Jan. 24, 2025 at IFC Center in New York, Jan. 31 at Laemmle’s Royal in Los Angeles and Town Center in Encino, with a national rollout to follow. The theatrical release comes after the film’s world premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival and sold-out screenings at Hamptons Film Festival, Provincetown Film Festival and as a Centerpiece at the NewFest LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

This star studded tribute brings into focus the dazzling, complex period of Liza’s life starting in the 1970s, just after the tragic death of her mother Judy Garland – as she confronts a range of personal and professional challenges on the way to becoming a bona fide legend. Over these years, Liza seeks out extraordinary mentors: Kay Thompson, Fred Ebb, Charles Aznavour, Halston and Bob Fosse. With insightful participation from a coterie of luminaries who know her well –  Michael Feinstein, Mia Farrow, Ben Vereen, Joel Grey and the late Chita Rivera, along with the revelatory participation by the star herself – the film illuminates the contradiction of Liza Minnelli: her privilege and struggle, strength and vulnerability, unreal expectations and towering talent – the friction of which fueled her stunning rise, resilience and her enduring place as one of the greatest, most original performers in the history of entertainment.

“I’m thrilled this documentary shares the story of how my creative voice came to life with the help of my brilliant friends, mentors and collaborators,” says Liza Minnelli. “Bruce and his team dove deep to explore my relationships with the people who literally 'invented me' — and I can’t wait for movie audiences to experience it!”

In the process of Klein and his team wooing Minnelli to tell her life story, they were asked if they would like to watch about 25 hours of never-before-seen, behind-the-scenes footage of her that was shot in the 70s during her European Tour, to which they immediately agreed. “As soon as we pressed play on the first reel of footage, we were blown away,” said Klein. “Right in front of us was this beautiful, vulnerable superstar of stage and screen at the height of her powers. She was literally the ‘IT’ girl of the world at that time. Even the personal scenes of her just hanging out were fascinating and revealing. Our team really got a feel for who she was and what drove her.” With Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, for the first time, audiences themselves will get to see some of this revelatory footage, which is masterfully woven into the film’s narrative.

Ultimately Klein hopes that audiences will “see the meticulous artistry that went into Liza becoming an icon. Liza as a friend, lover, daughter and surprisingly humble, anxiety-ridden performer.”

CREDITS:

Written, Produced and Directed by: Bruce David Klein

Produced by: Alexander J. Goldstein

Produced by: Robert Rich

Co-Producer: Dana Craig

Co-Producers: Tom D’Angora, Manny Klausner, Willette Klausner

Executive Producer: Dori Berinstein 

Line Producers: Sheila Cabano, Abby Strauss

Additional Line Producer: Donna Ferry

Associate Producers: Nelda Yaw Buckman, Drew Desky, Dane Levens, Alan Seales

Directors of Photography: Axel Baumann, Wolfgang Held

Editors: Jake Keene, Alexander J. Goldstein

USA | 2024 | 104 min | HD | 16:9 | Stereo 5.1 | English

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