Husband-and-wife helicopter news duo Marika Gerrard and Zoey Tur (known then as Bob) famous for capturing some of Los Angeles’ most epic breaking news stories recount the salacious details of their career in the Sundance documentary Whirlybird. Directed by Matt Yoka, the documentary film opens in selects theaters on Friday, August 6th (see below for theater listings).
Soaring above the chaotic spectacle of ‘80s and ‘90s Los Angeles, a young couple revolutionized breaking news with their brazen helicopter reporting. Culled from this news duo’s sprawling video archive is a poignant L.A. story of a family in turbulence hovering over a city unhinged.
A pioneer of helicopter reporting, Zoey Tur, along with then-wife Marika Gerrard, forever changed broadcast news with their action-packed live coverage of monumental moments in the history of L.A., including the 1992 riots and the O.J. Simpson Ford Bronco chase in 1994. This intense work delivered a needed daily dose of adrenaline for Zoey (known then as Bob) but the thousands of hours spent chasing breaking news eventually took its toll.
Through the meticulous digitization and restoration of Zoey and Marika’s sprawling video tape archive, this documentary brings to life the candid memories and reflections delivered by Zoey and Marika – as well as their kids, including their daughter, MSNBC host and author Katy Tur. In Matt Yoka’s feature debut, WHIRLYBIRD, he delivers an immersive L.A. epic through the intimate story of a relationship.
Watch the official trailer for Whirlybird.
THEATRICAL RELEASE
Opens Friday, August 6 in the Following Theatrical Markets (More TBA Soon)
Chicago – Gene Siskel Film Center
Cleveland – Cleveland Cinematheque
Columbus – Gateway Film Center
Denver – Sie Film Center
Los Angeles – Laemmle Monica Film Center
Seattle – Tacoma – SIFF
Vancouver, WA / Portland, OR – Kiggins Theatre