Sundance: Matt Tyrnauer's documentary 'Where's My Roy Cohn?' sells to Sony Pictures Classics

Film explores Cohn's nefarious influence on American politics, from abetting Sen. Joe McCarthy's Communist witch hunt to mentoring Donald Trump

A young Roy Cohn advises Sen. Joe McCarthy during the Army-McCarthy hearings in the 1950s. Photo courtesy Altimeter Films/Sundance

Sony Pictures Classics has scooped up rights to Matt Tyrnauer's incisive documentary Where's My Roy Cohn? just days after it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. 

The SPC deal covers North America, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Australia, Asia and Latin America, among other territories, and includes rights to air the film on airlines and cruise ships. It ensures a wide audience will get to see the film, which makes a compelling case for Roy Cohn as a corrupt and unscrupulous manipulator who sullied American politics by exploiting the basest fears of the electorate.

"As a filmmaker I have always had the greatest admiration for Sony Pictures Classics, and their extraordinary taste and curatorial eye," Tyrnauer said in a statement. "They have been behind many of the films I admire most. I can’t think of a better company to bring this film and its message to theatrical audiences across the nation and beyond."

Among those who benefitted from Cohn's mastery of the dark political arts were presidents Nixon and Reagan, Sen. Joe McCarthy, real estate magnate Fred Trump and his son Donald. He also tutored Roger Stone, who served as an informal adviser to Donald Trump during his presidential campaign. Tyrnauer noted that his film premiered on the same day Stone was charged with obstruction of justice, making false statements and witness tampering. Stone's indictment stems from Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into possible collusion between Trump's campaign and administration with Russia.

"Where's My Roy Cohn?" director Matt Tyrnauer (right) at the world premiere of his documentary. At the podium is David Courier, senior programmer at Sundance. Friday, January 25, 2019. Photo by Matt Carey

Tyrnauer's film suggests Donald Trump learned important lessons from Cohn, including to never admit wrongdoing and always attack instead of defend. The title of the film refers to a line Trump is reported to have said in frustration over his inability to use the Justice Department to serve his personal and political ends.

In his statement Tyrnauer noted, "The Sundance reception for ‘Where’s My Roy Cohn?’ has been overwhelming, affirming in the extreme."