Vision Films Releases First Look at Artwork and Trailer for Upcoming Charles Manson Documentary

​Vision Films Inc. (“Vision”) released on Tuesday the first look at the artwork and trailer for their newest documentary, "Manson: Music from an Unsound Mind."

50 years ago the world was shocked by the brutal murders of actress Sharon Tate and four others at Tate’s home in the heart of Hollywood. When the killers were finally arrested, the public was even more stunned – Charles Manson and his wide-eyed followers were hippies, members of the Love Generation. As the investigation looked for a motive for these crimes, it was discovered that Manson was not simply a cult leader and a career criminal. He was also a singer-songwriter with connections at the very top of the LA music industry.

"Manson: Music from an Unsound Mind" reveals the untold truth behind Manson’s astonishing rise in the music scene, examines the rock legends who supported him, and shines a light on the music itself for the first time.

“'Manson: Music from an Unsound Mind' dives into Manson’s dream of becoming a musician so we’re focusing on a little known area of his life that has never been fully understood,” said Lise Romanoff, CEO and Managing Director of Vision Films. “It’s a revelation just how close he came to stardom and how closely tied his failure in the music industry was to the murders that made him infamous.”

“I first found out about Manson’s musical ambitions back in 2008, while producing a Byrds documentary,” said writer and director Tom O’Dell ("How the Beatles Changed the World," "Duane Allman: Song of the South").  “It was an unbelievable backstory to a case I thought I understood. This wasn’t a secondary narrative – the music lay at the very heart of who Manson was, why he was in Los Angeles in the first place, and why Sharon Tate died. Now we’ve gone back and have interviewed those who were actually there, who believed in Manson’s talent and were appalled by his transformation into a monster. The revelations in this film make the Manson myth more real, more complex and ultimately more tragic.” 

"Manson: Music from an Unsound Mind" will be released in the US by Vision Films on digital platforms and DVD on August 13th, the 50thanniversary of the murder of rising Hollywood star and expectant mother Sharon Tate.

Manson: Music from an Unsound Mind Trailer:  https://youtu.be/Hn5rfeiiNRY

SYNOPSIS: 

When Charles Manson was released from prison in 1967 after a ten-year stretch, he headed straight into the heart of San Francisco during the Summer of Love. He had one goal - to become a rock star. This film follows Manson’s journey from Haight-Ashbury to the Sunset Strip, recording sessions in Hollywood’s most illustrious studios and auditioning for the most powerful figures in the music industry. It reveals the untold story of his musical ambitions, his close friendship with Beach Boys’ drummer Dennis Wilson and the fear and pain that spread through his Los Angeles contacts once they discovered the darker side of the man they called "The Wizard." And as Manson’s dream fell apart, it would lead directly to the savage murders for which he would become infamous.

Interviewees include: Family member Dianne Lake, who joined Manson’s cult at just 14 years old and was arrested with him two years later; Dennis Wilson’s song-writing partner Gregg Jakobson, who became Manson’s closest ally on the LA scene and was a key witness for the prosecution at his trial; Manson’s fellow inmate from 1966, Phil Kaufman, who would become the cult leader’s music manager and release his only ever album; Beach Boys' producer Stephen Desper, who recorded Manson at Brian Wilson’s home studio; Ernie Knapp, the guitarist in Manson’s only ever band The Milky Way and many more.

Vision Films is representing all rights worldwide to "Manson: Music from an Unsound Mind" and will be licensing rights beginning at the Cannes Film Festival, May 14-25th.

About Vision Films

Vision Films is a leading independent sales and VOD aggregator specializing in the licensing, marketing, and distribution of over 800 feature films, documentaries, and series from some of the most prolific independent film producers in the world. Led by Lise Romanoff, Managing Director/CEO Worldwide Distribution, Vision Films releases 2-4 films a month across Theatrical, VOD, DVD, and television platforms.  www.visionfilms.net

CONTACT: Kristen Bedno, Kristen@visionfilms.net

About Spiritlevel

Spiritlevel is an independent production company that specializes in the creation of documentary features and television shows. Founded in 2001 by Elio Espana and Tom O’Dell, Spiritlevel specializes in Arts, History and Entertainment productions. Its recent output includes the 6-part history series Wartime Crime(Discovery Networks/UKTV/Viasat), How The Beatles Changed the World (currently streaming exclusively through Netflix) and Rise of the Superheroes.