Russell Simmons #MeToo Documentary Heads to HBO Max Amid Oprah’s Exit

The On the Record documentary about the women who accused Russell Simmons of sexual misconduct, had a home at Apple TV before Oprah Winfrey parted ways with the project. But it secured a home at HBO Max following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

Oprah explained that she was motivated to exit because Drew Dixon’s recollection had “inconsistencies” and she felt that “the film had not adequately addressed.”

Dixon is a former Def Jam executive and she is one of the women in the doc that claims Simmons sexually assaulted her. Despite the mogul’s departure, a number of distribution companies like Netflix, Showtime, Amazon, IFC and more attended the premiere at Sundance but no one picked it up.

HBO Max acquired the project with hopes to release it in theaters at a later date. “The fierce determination of Drew Dixon and all of the women who bravely chose to share their stories in On The Record moved us profoundly,” Sarah Aubrey, head of original content at HBO Max, said. “I’ve been impressed with Amy and Kirby’s work over the years covering this complex subject matter, and look forward to this film finding the widest possible audience.”

Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick thanked the streaming service for giving their work a new home. They said they are “so proud to be teaming with HBO Max to give this film the outstanding platform it deserves and can’t wait for the public to see and hear the voices of these courageous women.”