CSNY docu headed for theaters

(L-R) Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, and David Crosby perform at the 19th annual Bridge School Benefit Concert in Mountain View, California, October 29, 2005.

CANNES, France (Hollywood Reporter) - Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions are finalizing a deal for U.S. rights to the politically charged Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young documentary "CSNY -- Deja Vu."

Fortissimo Films, which acquired the film from Shangri-La, has sold rights to 15 more international territories.

The feature, directed by Neil Young, chronicles the rock group's 2006 Freedom of Speech tour in support of Young's "Living in War" album.

The anti-Iraq War theme and songs like "Let's Impeach the President" increasingly polarized audiences as the band traveled through the U.S. Interviews with soldiers and others affected by the war are intercut with the concert footage.

When the film premiered in January at the Sundance Film Festival, the band members expressed a desire to release it before the November elections in order to encourage debate. The proposed deal would certainly get it seen.

In July, Roadside will release it theatrically in 15 cities, with Lionsgate handling a simultaneous nationwide video-on-demand release and, via potential partner Netflix, streaming video. The DVD will be released shortly before the elections through the band's label, Reprise, with HDNet in talks to air the film on the same date.

Fortissimo already has sold the film to Australia, Europe, Israel, Japan and Latin America. Cinetic is handling North American sales.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter