‘Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story’ Documentary Acquired by Abramorama (EXCLUSIVE)

Abramorama has acquired worldwide theatrical distribution rights for a fall release for “Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story,” the feature documentary about the seminal L.A. cult rock band.

Andrew Reich directed the doc covering brothers and founders Jeff and Steven McDonald and the band’s place in the Los Angeles music scene from the 1970s to now. Directed and produced by Reich and produced by Julian Cautherley, the film also features interviews with band members from Pearl Jam, The Go-Go’s, Sonic Youth, Soundgarden, The Bangles, Black Flag, Dinosaur Jr and more.

“Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story” won the Jury Award for best documentary at the 2023 Sound Unseen Film Festival and has played numerous other festivals.

Variety‘s Jem Aswad called the ban ahead of its time in his review, writing, “It seems ridiculous even now to say that their unabashed affection for those garish fashions, the Partridge Family, Mackenzie Phillips and other pop-culture icons of their childhood was visionary (relatively speaking, anyway), but as the remarkable new documentary ‘Born Innocent’ proves, they were even further ahead of their time than longtime fans had thought. Bands from Black Flag to Nirvana and the indie and Seattle scenes and even Guns N’ Roses and Stone Temple Pilots followed their lead.”

Redd Kross also has a book publishing in October with music journalist Dan Epstein, “Now You’re One of Us: The Incredible Story of Redd Kross,” out Oct. 10 in the U.K. and Oct. 29 in North America.

Formed in 1978 and still actively playing and recording, Redd Kross was part of the Southern California hardcore punk scene but took an eclectic approach with grunge, glam metal and other influences, from Black Flag to The Partridge Family and The Runaways.

“Growing up in Los Angeles, Redd Kross has been a fun, important, and colorful band in my musical landscape,” said Abramorama president and head of international distribution Evan Saxon. “I had the pleasure of working with Redd Kross years ago and I am stoked to once again be in their sphere. This is a must-see documentary for anyone that likes music.”

Redd Kross’ Jeff and Steven McDonald said, “We’re so excited that Abramorama has agreed to help us show our story on screen as it should be seen. ‘Born Innocent: The Redd Kross Story’ is an honest, funny, and poignant look into our lives, and we’re thrilled to share what’s behind all of the music, laughter, bummers and smiles with a new world.”

The Emmy-winning Reich, who discovered Redd Kross as a punk rock teen in New Jersey, was executive producer on “Friends.” Submarine represented worldwide sales for “Born Innocent.”

“Born Innocent” joins a number of recent documentary releases at Abramorama including “Electric Lady Studios: A Jimi Hendrix Vision,” AJ Schnack’s election reform documentary “Majority Rules” and David Smick’s “America’s Burning” executive produced and narrated by Michael Douglas. Next up is Elisa Levine’s “Sweetheart Deal” and rock documentary “Placebo: This Search For Meaning.”