Ahead of its premiere at Telluride, Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid, a new documentary on famed Democratic political consultant James Carville, has been acquired by CNN Films, Deadline can confirm.
The company specifically picked up television and SVOD rights for the U.S. and Canada. Directed by Matt Tyrnauer (Where’s My Roy Cohn?), the film will premiere on CNN at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 5, also streaming on Max later this fall and receiving an Oscar-qualifying theatrical release.
Carville marks CNN Films’ third acquisition this year, following Luther: Never Too Much and the anticipated Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which the company jointly sought out with DC Studios, Warner Bros. Motion Pictures, HBO, and Max.
Hailing from Altimeter Films, Winning Is Everything, Stupid chronicles an 18-month period in which Carville spearheaded efforts to persuade President Joe Biden not to run for re-election in 2024. Carville, famously known for coining the phrase “It’s the economy, stupid” during Bill Clinton’s 1992 campaign, is portrayed not only in his political element, but also in his personal life — spending time at his New Orleans home with his wife, Republican strategist Mary Matalin, and traveling across the nation.
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The film delves into Carville’s rise from his Southern roots to becoming a powerful figure in Washington, D.C., featuring interviews with prominent political figures such as Bill Clinton, Al Hunt, Donna Brazile, George Stephanopoulos, Paul Begala, Mandy Grunwald, Rev. Al Sharpton, Mitch Landrieu, and Sidney Blumenthal. Carville’s biography is intercut with his present-day efforts to shape the Democratic Party landscape as an early evangelist to get President Biden to forgo seeking re-election – a move that put him at odds with the very establishment he helped build.
Tyrnauer produced the doc alongside Susan McCue, Ryan Rothmaier, Graham High and Corey Reeser.
Stated Tyrnauer, “James Carville redefined the art of political consulting and has retained household name status since teaching the Democrats how to win again in the 1990s. While shooting this cinema verité film, he also emerged as a powerful change agent in the 2024 election, wielding his unique influence to upend the party’s nomination process. We are thrilled that CNN Films is as excited as we are to share the story of this American original with audiences. We can’t think of a better partner.”
Added Amy Entelis, EVP of Talent for CNN Originals and Creative Development for CNN Worldwide, “Matt artfully crafts the rich story behind James Carville’s humble beginnings in Louisiana to finding success after 40, revealing how he became one of the most significant forces in modern politics. But the surprising heart of the film is James’ marriage with Republican strategist Mary Matalin. CNN Films is proud to bring audiences this unlikely love story which offers a glimmer of hope in our highly polarized times.”
A three-time IDA Award-nominated filmmaker and journalist, Tyrnaeur is responsible for documentaries like the Oscar-shortlisted Valentino: The Last Emperor, on fashion designer Valentino Garavani; Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood, on the hidden sexual lives of Hollywood’s Golden Age stars; Studio 54, which provides a definitive account of the iconic New York nightclub; and Where’s My Roy Cohn?, a searing portrait of the infamous lawyer and political fixer, among others. His TV credits include Victoria’s Secret: Angels and Demons and The Reagans.
CNN Group SVP Stacey Wolf negotiated the deal for CNN, with WME repping CNN Films and the filmmakers. THR was first to the news.