Fremantle is to handle worldwide sales on country music feature documentary “Rebel Country,” which will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The film looks at a new breed of stars who are rewriting the rules and challenging the culture of country music. It explores the tensions of race, class, poverty, gender, sexuality and creativity versus commerce and geography that are prevalent in the U.S., while also acknowledging the musicians’ connection to Nashville’s rebellious roots.
“Rebel Country” is directed by Francis Whately, whose credits include “Five Years” and “Dolly Parton: Here I Am.” Executive producers are BMG, and Gabriel Jagger and Janet Lee for WhyNow Studios.
Whately said: “I am excited to have ‘Rebel Country’ premiere in this current moment that the country music genre is experiencing. The musicians, noted music journalists, and historians included in the film help give a broad picture of the genre and its influences over the years and a glimpse into the future. Through archival footage and exclusive performances filmed in cinematic locations we are able to uncover and explore decades of music, celebrating the rebels from past and present.”
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Musicians in the film include Grammy-nominated rapper turned country singer Jelly Roll, whose videos have drawn more than four billion views on YouTube. In 2023, Jelly Roll released three number one records, winning CMT, CMA, People’s Choice, People’s Choice Country and Pollstar awards.
Also in the film is pop-infused singer Lainey Wilson, who rose to fame in 2021, landing her first number one with her Platinum-certified ACM Song of the Year “Things a Man Oughta Know.”
Also featured is Blanco Brown, whose viral hit “The Git Up” – Platinum certified across three countries – claimed the top spot in charts across the world and spawned nearly four billion views across social platforms.
Breland also appears in the film. He introduced himself in the industry with his massive debut viral hit “My Truck” in 2019 and has since collaborated with big-hitters in the genre from Keith Urban to Dierks Bentley.
Other artists in the film include Sam Williams (grandson of Hank Williams), Lindsay Ell, Frank Ray, Chely Wright, Rissi Palmer and Jake Blount.
The film will play in Tribeca’s Spotlight+ category, and the festival will include a special appearance from Breland.
The first look image, above, shows Jelly Roll performing for inmates at the Metro-Davidson County Detention Facility in Nashville, Tennessee.
