Shudder Acquires Award-Winning Documentary ‘This Is GWAR’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

A common belief about the horror genre, is that… it only translates best to television and film and that belief exists, simply because those are the two mediums that have provided us with the majority of famous horror stories. For Dracula was a silver screen icon when he first appeared in theaters and the living dead also got their start in movies before taking over the world on television screens. But the fact of the matter is, horror works in just about every entertainment medium out there. For it can be impactful as a play and it can also… be a heck of a draw at a concert, as evidenced by the shows put on by one of the greatest bands out there… GWAR.
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For time and time again, this envelope pushing band has used horror elements to put on a hell of a show for their fans, and after spending thirty years entertaining us with incredible songs and costumes that are straight out of our nightmares, Shudder decided that now is the right time for fans to learn everything there is to know about this iconic and influential band. For earlier today, the best horror streamer out there announced that it has acquired the rights to This Is GWAR, a documentary about the band and well, without further ado… here are all the details on this brand-new addition to Shudder’s impressive library, and a trailer... to build up the excitement for what will be, one epic documentary. 

‘Shudder, AMC Network's premium streaming service for horror, thriller, and the supernatural, has acquired rights to the documentary. This is GWAR, which gives rare insight into the 30-plus year career of one of the world's most outrageous heavy metal bands, GWAR, known for their grotesque costumed characters and notoriously wild, fluid-soaked stage shows. The film, which world premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX, and won the 2021 Audience Award at NIGHTSTREAM, will be available exclusively on Shudder in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand on Thursday, July 21.
 
"For more than three decades, GWAR has set the standard for heavy metal horror with larger-than-life personas and gore-filled stage shows that were unlike anything anyone had ever seen,” said Shudder General Manager Craig Engler.  “But even their most ardent fans have never seen them like this, as the band and director Scott Barber reveal in moving detail the literal blood, sweat and tears that have made GWAR the true legends they are today."
 
Added GWAR, "GWAR is founded on horror, humor, and heavy metal. Of course, we love Shudder! It's our favorite. Every movie is like a home movie for us. Are you kidding me?? Monsters, demons, the undead, dinosaurs? Those are our people! GWAR and Shudder. Two terrifying tastes that taste terrifying together."
 
This is GWAR is the powerful story of the iconic heavy metal art collective, as told by the humans who have fought to keep it alive for over thirty years. The feature documentary includes interviews with the band members, both past and present, and other artists, including Weird Al Yankovic, Thomas Lennon, Alex Winter, Bam Margera, and Ethan Embry, including never seen footage of legendary GWAR frontman Dave Brockie (Oderus Urungus).
 
This is GWAR is directed by Scott Barber (Orange Years: The Nickelodeon Story), with producers Tommy Avallone (Bill Murray Stories) and Josh Goldbloom (V/H/S/94). Executive Producers include Bill Parks, Zach Blair, Matthew Helderman, and Luke Taylor.
 
The deal was negotiated by Josh Goldbloom on behalf of the filmmakers, and Emily Gotto, VP, Global Acquisitions & Co-Productions on behalf of Shudder.
 
About GWAR
The story of GWAR is carved across the history of this hopeless planet, but GWAR themselves are not of this world…Their story begins far past Uranus, in the deepest reaches of space, where the beings known as GWAR were warriors in the Scumdogs of the Universe, an elite fighting force in the army of the Master of All Reality. But GWAR proved too reckless and powerful, and after a series of tragic but hilarious blunders, they were banished to the furthest reaches of the galaxy, with orders to conquer an insignificant backwater prehistoric mudball known as the planet Earth. Once here, GWAR, the original Ancient Aliens, shaped the face of the globe, wiping out the dinosaurs, and mating with apes to create the human race. Having accidentally given rise to all human history, the Master of All Reality froze them in Antarctic ice where they could do no more harm. It was there they were discovered by a shady entrepreneur known as Sleazy P Martini, who sat the band down in front of professional wrestling, late-night horror movies, heavy metal music, and a steady diet of crack cocaine until GWAR became the cultural force they are today!
 
About Shudder
AMC Networks' Shudder is a premium streaming video service, super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers, and the supernatural. Shudder's expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.’

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