Amazon Studios acquires J Balvin documentary

Amazon Studios has acquired worldwide rights to Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Matthew Heineman’s The Boy from Medellín, a deep-dive into the life of Colombian-born superstar J Balvin. The Endeavor Content backed feature length documentary is produced by Our Time Projects and SB Projects, and will world premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival in September.

The Boy from Medellín gives us unprecedented access to international superstar J Balvin in the lead-up to the biggest concert of his life — a sold-out performance in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia. This deeply immersive and character-driven film, which was made with an international crew in Colombia and New York, provides a look into the most pivotal and emotionally charged moment of one of the world’s biggest stars.

“Representing my country, my city and Latin culture globally is a lifelong pursuit and I’m so proud to be a son of Medellín. I’m honored to be able to tell my story in this beautiful way and working with Matthew on this project was an incredible experience. Thank you to Amazon for making sure this story can be seen around the world”, said J Balvin.

In The Boy from Medellín, Heineman gives audiences a behind-the-scenes view into one of the most game-changing moments of Balvin’s life. While Balvin remains one of the most influential Latin musicians in the world, this stunning film also explores his journey to stardom in the city where it all began.

“The Boy from Medellin is a poignant and transparent snapshot of Latin superstar J Balvin’s journey at such a crucial time in Colombia’s history,” said Javiera Balmaceda, Head of International Originals in Argentina, Chile and Colombia, Amazon Studios. “Filmmaker Matthew Heineman is a master of his craft, and beautifully depicts the perspective of an international music icon. We are thrilled to welcome Matthew back to the Amazon family and to share J Balvin’s story with our global customers.”