Sony Pictures Classics has acquired multi-territory rights to Matt Tyrnauer’s “Where’s My Roy Cohn?”, individuals familiar with the deal told Variety.
The film premiered in the U.S. documentary competition from Tyranuer, known for tackling culture-shapers like designer Valentino Garavani, Studio 54 co-founder Ian Schrager and Hollywood pimp Scotty Bowers. The sale includes U.S. rights, and will include a theatrical release.
Using rare archival footage, “Where’s My Roy Cohn” looks at the infamous New York attorney — a man who represented power brokers, Catholic church leaders, and mobsters. Cohn exploded onto the stage as a top lieutenant of Sen. Joseph McCarthy. He later became a mentor of none other than future President Donald Trump, advising him to always “punch back” when the real estate developer was being sued for housing discrimination. A closeted homosexual, Cohn died of AIDS-related complications in 1986.
“Donald Trump learned literally everything he knows from Roy Cohn,” Tyrnauer told Variety in an interview leading up to Sundance. “And with Trump’s election, Cohn went from being a dark footnote in history to an important part of a critical chapter.”
Tyrnauer also produced, with Corey Reeser, Marie Brenner, Joyce Deep and Andrea Lewis. Jenifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, Lyn Lear, John Boccardo, Ernest H. Pomerantz, Lynn Pincus and Elliott Sernel served as executive producer.
Endeavor Content represented the filmmakers in the sale. The film was made in association with Wavelength Productions.