Sundance To Unveil Doc On Paul Reubens/Pee-Wee Herman, Exploring Actor’s Life And Sexuality, Plus Films On Selena, Marlee Matlin, ‘Zodiac Killer Project’ & More
Some of the biggest talents in documentary film will be unveiling new work at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, including Oscar winners Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Davis Guggenheim, and Mstyslav Chernov.
The marquee names in the nonfiction slate extend to the subjects of films – musical great Sly Stone examined in Questlove’s SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius); the late Selena Quintanilla’s story told in a film by Isabel Castro; Actress Marlee Matlin’s trailblazing career explored in Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, from director Shoshannah Stern; astronaut Sally Ride’s gravity-defying journey and personal life revealed in Sally, directed by Cristina Costantini.
No Sundance premiere documentary may attract more attention than Pee-wee as Himself, “A chronicle of the life of artist and performer Paul Reubens and his alter ego Pee-wee Herman.” Prior to his death last year at the age of 70, Reubens spoke in-depth with director Matt Wolf “about his creative influences, and the personal struggles he faced to persevere as an artist,” according to a description from the festival.
The collaboration between filmmaker and protagonist proved contentious at times, notes senior documentary programmer Basil Tsiokos. “You are watching the film and you’re also watching the relationship play out between Matt and Paul, where they’re not necessarily always on the same page.
