HBO Max set its official launch date, and with the announcement the streaming company released details about the documentary, On the Record, centering on sexual abuse allegations against hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons.
When the WarnerMedia-owned streamer goes live on May 27, viewers will be able to watch the #MeToo documentary. The film from co-directors Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick made its world premiere in January at the Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews.
The documentary focuses on Drew Dixon, a former music exec who worked for Simmons at Def Jam Records, and accused him of raping her in 1995. Multiple other women have since accused the mogul of abuse, however, Simmons has denied all allegations of nonconsensual sex.
Related Story: Russell Simmons Sex Abuse Documentary The Talk of Sundance
The documentary was initially slated for Apple TV+ as part of Oprah Winfrey’s production deal with the company, but its release fell through when the media mogul left the project.
In a Jan. 21 interview with CBS This Morning, Winfrey said Simmons contacted her multiple times and “attempted to pressure” her to abandon the doc. She said she ultimately took her name off the film because she was troubled by “inconsistencies,” and felt it needed more work before its Sundance debut.
Winfrey’s exit opened the door for HBO Max to secure the rights to the doc.
“Directed and produced by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, On The Record presents the powerful haunting story of music executive Drew Dixon (collaborator on hit records by Method Man and Mary J. Blige, Estelle and Kanye West, and Whitney Houston) as she grapples with her decision to become one of the first women of color, in the wake of #MeToo, to come forward and publicly accuse hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons of sexual assault,” the official description reads.
Other titles that will be available day one on HBO Max include the scripted comedy Love Life, starring Anna Kendrick; underground ballroom dance competition series Legendary; Craftopia with YouTube sensation LaurDIY; the all-new Looney Tunes Cartoons; and Sesame Workshop’s The Not Too Late Show with Elmo.
The streaming platform will officially launch on May 27, 2020. Full details on the platform’s opening slate can be found below.
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