A new locally-produced documentary dropped its trailer online this week, and it got people talking.
Directed by filmmaker Shane Dax Taylor, “John Y. Brown: The Most Interesting Man You’ve Never Heard Of,” chronicles the life of the late businessman, sports executive, and politician John Y. Brown, Jr.
The trailer features a who’s who of local and national figures that sat down for interviews, including: Lonnie Ali, late Louisville basketball coach Denny Crum, former Louisville mayor Jerry Abramson, and members of the Kentucky Colonels basketball team like Dan Issel and Artis Gilmore.
A life full of material
If you’re unfamiliar with Brown’s story, here’s a slice of what the filmmakers had to work with:
- A businessman, Brown owned and popularized several restaurant chains including KFC, Kenny Rogers Roasters, and Ollie’s Trolley.
- In the 1970s, he owned the Kentucky Colonels ABA basketball team in Louisville, including during their 1975 championship season. Later in his career, he owned the Boston Celtics and Buffalo Braves — aka the Los Angeles Clippers — in the NBA.
- In 1979, Brown was elected Governor of Kentucky, and he held the office through 1983.
- Earlier this year, Brown and his first wife Ellie, were selected to be honored with a “Hometown Hero” banner for their work in the Louisville community.
Roll the credits
The filmmakers behind the documentary are looking for financial support in order to get the film rolling. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Make a donation through the Louisville Film Society, a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes local films + filmmakers.
- If you donate $1,000 or more, your name will be featured in the film’s credits.
The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that the filmmakers are shopping the documentary to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon, and Apple TV — so a release date is TBD.
