Director Bruce David Klein’s Liza Minnelli: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is a moving, playful documentary on
legendary showbiz icon Liza Minnelli. 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. Director Bruce David Klein (Icahn: The Restless Billionaire), joins us to talk about the joy of discovery he felt from seeing footage of Liza shot in the 70s during her European Tour, as well as his hope that viewers will “see the meticulous artistry that went into Liza becoming an icon. Liza as a friend, lover, daughter and surprisingly humble, anxiety-ridden performer.”
For more go to: zeitgeistfilms.com/liza-a-truly-terrific-absolutely-true-story
Now playing at the IFC in New York City
About the filmmaker – Bruce David Klein is a producer, director, and writer of non-fiction television, film, and digital content. He is the founder of NY-based Atlas Media Corp. and serves as its president and executive producer. On the premium feature documentary front, Klein wrote and directed Meat Loaf: In Search of Paradise (Universal), the Emmy-nominated Icahn: The Restless Billionaire (HBO) and a forthcoming film on stage and screen legend Liza Minnelli, Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2024 to raves. Klein also produced the acclaimed theatrical documentaries Robert Blecker Wants Me Dead (MSNBC Films) and Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened (Netflix), an official selection of the New York Film Festival that is currently 95% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes. On the television front, Klein was an early innovator in cable programming, responsible for long-running series such as Dr. G: Medical Examiner (Discovery Health/TLC), History’s Lost & Found (History), How to Survive The End of the World (National Geographic) Behind the Bash with Giada DeLaurentiis (Food), The Mind of a Murderer (Investigation Discovery), Alien Invasion (Discovery Channel), and Hotel Impossible (Travel). Klein has moderated and appeared on numerous panels for organizations such as NATPE, RealScreen, the Producers Guild, NYU Film School, and for film and television festivals around the world. His work has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Variety, Crain’s Business, Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly and World Screen News. Klein is a member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a founding member of the Non-Fiction Producers Association (NPACT), and served for many years on the Executive Committee of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE).
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92% on RottenTomatoes
“Deploys a wealth of great archival material plus intimate access to the subject and those closest to her to build a gorgeous portrait of a legendary showbiz survivor, warmly celebratory but also unquestionably authentic.” –David Rooney, Hollywood Reporter
“Most fascinating is how, despite Minnelli exhibiting a theatrical personality, you can sense that, deep down, exists a caring, genuine person.” – Tim Miller, Cape Cod Wave Magazine
“Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story is a phenomenal documentary and jubilant tribute to one of the best!” – Ethan Padgett, Film Threat
“Scintillating…devoted, and with good reason, to finding the essence of Liza Minnelli in her relationship to live audiences. We see her drink in their energy like air, then give it back to them as a heavenly glow.”–Owen Gleiberman, Variety“…A long-overdue and entirely deserved tribute, it is…truly terrific…” –Elizabeth Weitzman, The Wrap