Janis Joplin Documentary to Premiere in September

A documentary celebrating Janis Joplin's life and musical legacy is scheduled to make its theatrical debut at the Venice Film Festival in September.

NME reports that the film, titled simply Janis and assembled by Oscar-nominated director Amy Berg, will include narration from Chan Marshall, better known as singer Cat Power, who "will read letters Joplin wrote to her friends and lovers." Berg shared her enthusiasm in a press release, saying, "After attempting to get this film off the ground for seven years, I am ecstatic that the film is finally ready to be seen. This has been a labor of love, and I cannot wait to share Janis' unique, intimate story with the world. Chan Marshall has delivered a beautiful, introspective voice of Janis' by reading her letters."

Janis' arrival comes as work on a biopic starring Amy Adams as Joplin, and helmed by Wild director Jean-Marc Vallee, seems to be getting into gear after the project — like several others that various filmmakers have attempted putting together at different points over the last few decades — seemed mired in studio limbo. Variety adds that the feature, which will include performance footage as well as new interviews, is being released with the blessing of the Joplin Estate.

This will serve as the third documentary release of the year for Berg, whose most recent effort, Prophet's Prey, looks at fundamentalist sect leader Warren Jeffs. Berg's other 2015 feature, An Open Secret, deals with underage sexual abuse in Hollywood.

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