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    Back to The Business

    The Business

    ‘On the Record’ filmmakers talk behind-the-scenes drama of their Russell Simmons documentary

    Veteran documentary filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering lived the dream of having Oprah Winfrey sign on as executive producer of their film “On the Record,” which focuses on several women who say they were raped by music mogul Russell Simmons.

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    By Kim Masters • Jun 1, 2020 • 28m Listen

    Veteran documentary filmmakers Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering lived the dream of having Oprah Winfrey sign on as executive producer of their film “On the Record,” which focuses on several women who say they were raped by music mogul Russell Simmons.

    But the dream turned dark just days before “On the Record” was set to premiere at Sundance. Oprah withdrew her support and Apple dropped its deal to release the movie.

    Dick and Ziering remember the shock of that setback and explain their decision to go to Sundance anyway. They say they still don’t know exactly why Oprah bailed on the film, which is now streaming on the newly launched HBO Max.

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 1:14

      Hollywood news banter: Scorsese scores a deal at Apple, Disney World to reopen

      Apple is upping its movie game and putting its stamp on an awards-caliber film. The tech giant is planning to partner with Paramount for Martin Scorsese’s next movie, “Killers of the Flower Moon.”

      Read the story
      7 min
    2. 8:24

      ‘On the Record’ directors get dumped by Oprah days before Sundance. Then what happened?

      The new documentary “On the Record,” available on HBO Max, explores multiple rape allegations against music mogul Russell Simmons.  Much of the film centers around Drew Dixon, one of the first women to go public with such allegations. In 1995,…

      Read the story
      20 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kim Masters

      partner/writer at Puck News, host of KCRW's “The Business.”

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Kaitlin Parker

      Producer, 'The Business' and 'Hollywood Breakdown'

      CultureEntertainmentArts

    In this episode

    2 stories
    1. 1:147 min

      Hollywood news banter: Scorsese scores a deal at Apple, Disney World to reopen

    2. 8:2420 min

      ‘On the Record’ directors get dumped by Oprah days before Sundance. Then what happened?

    Back to The Business