The documentary Teddy Pendergrass – If You Don't Know Me, will make its premiere at the Philadelphia Film Festival Friday, according to Variety. The film will later make its way to Showtime and, for U.K. viewers, BBC and Sky Arts. The film will also have a theatrical run in the U.K. via Moviehouse.
The film will follow the life and career of Pendergrass, who formerly sang for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes before embarking on his solo career. Pendergrass later suffered from a car accident, which left him paralyzed. His injury didn't stop his musical talents; he released several more albums. But the injury prevented him from becoming an even more popular star. Pendergrass died in 2010.
“The way he sings is so authentic it can't fail to touch you, whatever your age and whatever generation you are from,” said director and producer Olivia Lichtenstein to Variety, who also said she hoped to portray Pendergrass “as visceral and alive as possible” by highlighting interviews with people who personally knew the singer.
No word on when the film will premiere on television.
