Dan Klores’ “Crazy Love” Captured the 2008 Independent Spirit D Award for Best Documentary
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irector Dan Klores’ “Crazy Love” captured the 2008 Independent Spirit D Award for Best Documentary. A few months later he completed “Black Magic,” a four-hour, two-part epic that aired commercial- free on ESPN to high ratings and tremendous Personal Statement critical success. The film went on to win the Peabody Award, and the 2008 Diversity Award for Best Documentary Feature Non-Theatrical Release. Mr. Klores’ work has been universally lauded for its depth and passion. “Crazy Love” Reggie Miller gave New York the finger. The whole city. was voted the Best Documentary of the Year by The 6'7" wiry shooting guard of the Indiana Pacers tortured the Knicks. If he didn’t Directed by Dan Klores Directed the Boston Society of Film Critics and the San beat Riley, Ewing, Oakley and Starks with his quick release and unlimited range, he Diego Film Critics Society. The film was also made them think he would. He took pleasure in letting the packed Madison Square nominated by the International Documentary Garden know it was his show and his game that they were watching during the 1995 Association (IDA) for Best Documentary and also claimed first prize at the Santa Barbara playoffs. International Film Festival. Like Klores’ first two This documentary will zero in on the dramatic seven-game series between Reg- films, “The Boys of Second Street Park” gie’s Pacers and the Knicks. The series was front-page news in the NYC tabloids, (Showtime, 2003) and “Ring of Fire: The Emile a war of words between the glib Miller and Knicks fanatic Spike Lee. There were Griffith Story” (NBC-Universal, 2005), “Crazy Love” had its world premiere at the Sundance arguments between teammates, chokes, an overtime period and an intense rivalry Film Festival. not only between the coaches, Pat Riley and Larry Brown, but between the two most Klores draws from his early childhood. precious basketball cultures in America: Hoosier Land vs. “New Yawk.” The Pacers, He grew up in a lower middle-class section of who had lost to the Knicks in the two previous playoffs, were seeking revenge. Reg- Brooklyn in a seemingly innocent post-war gie scored eight points during the last 17 seconds of Game 1, silencing MSG. Later, America. His subject matter revolves around the issues of love and loss, support and leading the series three games to one, the Pacers lost Game 5 on Patrick Ewing’s protection. From “Ring of Fire,” to “The Boys basket with two seconds left. And when they returned home for Game 6, they were King of the New York Streets King the York of New of Second Street Park” and “Viva Baseball,” beaten again. Klores’ films contain characters struggling to Would Game 7 at MSG be “Miller Time,” or would Ewing & Co. again eliminate the assimilate and seek refuge, escape or comfort in the status quo. Pacers? Would Spike, Woody and Trump have the chance to return Reggie’s choke Dan Klores, who resides in Manhattan with sign? Would Brown’s whining to officials, the league, and the media matter as the his wife Abbe and three young sons, is also final minutes ticked away? producing the feature re-make of “Ring of Fire” Through the memories and hearts of the players, coaches, fans and media of both AP Images with Scott Rudin for Sony/Paramount. The film cultures, this film will examine the relationship between Reggie Miller, a guy with a will be directed by Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe. Klores is also in the midst of writing New York attitude playing in Middle America, and the team representing the “Basket- Reggie Miller single-handedly crushed the hearts of Knick fans multiple times. But it was the feature remake for “Crazy Love” for HBO ball Capital of the World.” Films. He previously served as the Executive the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals that solidified Miller as Public Enemy #1 in New York Producer of “City by the Sea,” starring Robert DeNiro and Frances McDormand and also City. With moments to go in Game 1, and facing a seemingly insurmountable deficit of 105-99, as a producer for the Paul Simon Broadway musical, The Capeman. Miller scored eight points in 8.9 seconds to give his Indiana Pacers an astonishing victory. This career-defining performance, combined with his give-and-take with Knicks fan Spike Lee, made Miller and the Knicks a highlight of the 1995 NBA playoffs. Peabody Award-winning director Dan Klores will explore how Miller proudly built his legend as “The Garden’s Greatest Villain”. Dan Klores 27.