HBO Documentary Films has acquired the documentary “Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo”

NEW YORK, May 28,2009 — HBO Documentary Films has acquired the documentary “Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo.” Directed by Bradley Beesley (“Okie Noodling”, “The Fearless Freaks”, “SummerCamp!”), the film goes behind prison walls to follow convict cowgirls on their journey to the 2007 Oklahoma State Penitentiary Rodeo, a purely American event that’s part Wild West show and part Coliseum-esque spectacle where convicts compete against one another for a small amount of cash and a little bit of pride. The feature-length documentary was acquired following its celebrated SXSW World Premiere in March 2009 and will have its broadcast premiere on HBO’s CINEMAX in September. Julie Goldman of Cactus Three negotiated the acquisition.

Director Bradley Beesley said, “I’m truly thrilled for the women featured in the film—their remarkable stories made this possible. There’s no better place than HBO to share our documentary –it’s a perfect home.”

The film will also be screened inside the prison system as part of a large-scale outreach campaign and forum exploring rehabilitative and educational programs, starting with the Eddie Warrior Correctional Center in Taft, Oklahoma on June 9th before all 700 inmates.  ”Sweethearts of the Prison Rodeo” is produced by James Payne and Amy Dotson and is executive produced by Julie Goldman, Krysanne Katsoolis and Caroline Stevens.