Bang Productions Seeking Pledges for Duva Documentary

Posted on | October 4, 2011 | No Comments

Bang Productions and well-respected producer/director John Edmonds Kozma are currently soliciting pledged donations on www.kickstarter.com, the largest funding platform for creative projects in the world, to help produce a 90-minute documentary for worldwide release on legendary boxing trainer/manager Lou Duva.

Funds raised will help Kozma and his team shoot and archive footage for about 75 days. With an additional 30 days of post-production for a total of 105 days. Interested donors are encouraged to visit www.kickstarter.com as soon as possible, as the project will only be funded if at least $133,000 is pledged by Friday, November 11, at 10:38 AM/EST.

There are several incentive “thank you” packages available onwww.kickstarter.com for different donation amounts and no minimum donation.

89-year-old Duva, known as the “Godfather of Boxing” has a story to tell like no other, from humble beginnings in New Jersey to his rise to icon status in the sweet science, Duva has rubbed shoulders of the rich and famous, as well as all of boxing’s most well-known and beloved heroes.

To be narrated by film and television star Tony Danza, the film promises to tell both the story of boxing itself from the perspective of a man who lived through it all, while also telling the deeply moving story of a man devoted to his wife (a bond made stronger by her diagnosis of MS).

Included in the film will be many surprising details about the legendary man, including:

1. His discharge from the army during World War II due to fistfights.

2. His friendship and business relationship with Rocky Marciano.

3. His rise to fame after the 1984 Olympics.

4. Hanging out with a diverse mix of Hollywood stars and infamous characters including John Gotti, Joe Dimaggio, Frank Sinatra, Tom Cruise, Sammy Davis Jr., and Christy Brinkley.

5. The crazy, ticket-selling schemes from the days of promoting small shows at theIce World facility inTotowa, New Jersey.

6. His exploits with the biggest names in boxing history, including Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Lennox Lewis, Hector Camacho, etc.

7. His interesting day jobs (Duva worked and owned a trucking company, was a restaurant manager, a minister, and a circus clown).

Kozma first came to prominence as a producer of music videos and later produced the sports documentary “The Enduro at Erzberg”, chronicling the world famous motorcycle race in Germany. In 2006, he followed up the success of The Enduro at Erzberg, with a documentary entitled Travis Pastrana’s Baja Diaries, looking at motosport superstar, stunt performer, and MTV personality Travis Pastrana.

That same year, Kozma completed his trilogy of motosports documentaries by producing Freestyle Prague, which he also directed.

In 2007, he produced and directed a documentary called Giant Maximus, focusing on the annual Los Angeles-based music festival. The film was narrated by world famous club DJ Armin van Buuren. That same year, it was announced that Kozma bring an adaptation of the Erin Chandler’s play June Bug vs. Hurricane to the screen. Scripted by filmmaker Nick Cassavetes, the film, entitled Kentucky Rhapsody, tells the colorful real-life story of Chandler’s family, led by her father, former Kentucky governor and Commissioner of Baseball A. B. “Happy” Chandler, Sr. The film is set to go into production 2012.

“We are very excited to have this opportunity with Kickstarter,” said Kozma. “This documentary will show the world the history and true grit of boxing.”

Visit www.kickstarter.com now and help bring to life the story of one of boxing’s most beloved and legendary figures. For more information,emailinfo@bangproductionsinc.com or call 310.592.9134