HBO acquires ‘Diego Maradona’ from Oscar-winner Asif Kapadia ahead of Cannes debut

HBO has acquired the exclusive U.S. television and streaming rights to the highly anticipated feature-length film Diego Maradona, executive produced and directed by Asif Kapadia (the Oscar®-winning “Amy”), it was announced today by Peter Nelson, executive vice president, HBO Sports.

Drawing on more than 500 hours of never-before-seen footage from the Argentine icon’s personal archives, the documentary charts the trials and triumphs of the legendary footballer when it debuts this Fall on HBO. 

Diego Maradona will also be available on HBO on Demand, HBO NOW, HBO GO and partners’ streaming platforms. “Diego Maradona has long been considered the greatest footballer ever, and Asif Kapadia’s filmmaking perfectly captures every high and low of his transcendent career, from his controversial ‘Hand of God’ goal to his awakening of Napoli, and more,” said Nelson. “We look forward to sharing this landmark documentary with both soccer and non-soccer fans alike.”

“My producers and I are delighted to be working with HBO on the release of Diego Maradona in North America,” says Kapadia. “HBO stands for quality, and as long-term fans, we know we’re in great hands. Having spent three intense years working with my brilliant team of collaborators on the most complex charismatic character, Diego Maradona, I’m excited to see how the North American audience reacts. I hope this is the beginning of a long journey together with HBO and Diego.” 

Diego Maradona spotlights the life of the legendary footballer, who enthralled onlookers across the globe, inspired a generation of Neapolitans and incited controversy. In addition to Maradona’s video archives and personal photos, Kapadia utilizes decades-old news footage and interviews with historians and journalists for this definitive documentary portrait. Diego Maradona arrived in Naples on July 5, 1984, for a world-record fee. The world’s most celebrated football icon, and the most passionate, but dangerous, city in Europe were a perfect match for each other. For seven years, all hell broke loose. On the pitch, Maradona was a genius. Off the pitch, he was treated like a god. The charismatic Argentine loved a fight against the odds and led Napoli to its first league title. But there was a price. Maradona could do as he pleased while performing miracles on the field, but as time passed, darker days closed in. This is the wild and unforgettable story of an unrivalled talent. He was a rebel, cheat, hero and god. Diego Maradona is a tale of glory, despair and betrayal, of corruption and, ultimately, of redemption. 

Diego Maradona will have its world premiere as an Official Selection (Out Of Competition) at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival and receive a limited theatrical run in the U.S. prior to its HBO debut. HBO Sports has been recognized with nine George F. Peabody Awards for documentary production excellence and captured 35 Sports Emmy® Awards for its documentary unit. In addition to a Best Documentary Feature Oscar® for “Amy” in 2016, Asif Kapadia has received four BAFTA awards. 

Diego Maradona is an HBO Sports presentation in association with On The Corner and Lorton Entertainment; Asif Kapadia directs; James Gay-Rees and Paul Martin produce; executive producers, Asif Kapadia, George Pank, Will Clarke, Julian Bird and Bil Bungay. For HBO: executive producers, Peter Nelson and Bill Simmons; edited by Chris King; original music by Antonio Pinto. Cinetic Media negotiated the deal on the behalf of the filmmakers.

Keep an eye out as AwardsWatch hits the Cannes Film Festival with reviews of Diego Maradona and more later this month.