SXSW True Crime Doc ‘I Got Bombed At Harvey’s’ Scores US Deal
EXCLUSIVE: Jolt.film has acquired all North American rights to the true-crime documentary I Got Bombed at Harvey’s, an account of the 1980 Harvey’s Resort Hotel bombing in Lake Tahoe, which included a high-profile extortion case and a major FBI manhunt.
Directed by Amy Bandlien Storkel and Bryan Storkel, I Got Bombed at Harvey’s revisits the case in which an intricately engineered, booby-trapped time bomb containing more than 1,000 pounds of dynamite was wheeled through the front doors of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel Casino in Lake Tahoe. Alongside the device was a demand for $3M within 24 hours. As bomb technicians struggled to disarm the explosive, the FBI raced against the clock to deliver the ransom while simultaneously hunting the extortionists. As the investigation unfolded, what initially appeared to be a daring ransom scheme evolved into a complex story of obsession, deception, and unexpected motives.
The film, which will be given a theatrical and digital release, blends archival footage, firsthand interviews, and investigative storytelling.
The acquisition of the Propagate Content-produced film comes ahead of the 46th anniversary of the bombing, with a special anniversary screening scheduled for August 26 at 5 p.m. at Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema, followed by a filmmaker Q&A. The event coincides with the anniversary of the two-day standoff that took place on August 26 – 27, 1980.
The documentary was executive-produced by Chris Smith; Andrew Corkin, Howard T. Owens, Ben Silverman Drew Buckley, and Isabel San Vargas for Propagate Content; James Packer, Theo Love, Michael Driscoll, Robert Marshall, Brian Lazarte, James Lee Hernandez, Bo Butterworth and Karen Bowlin served as producers.
“We are proud to champion bold, exciting storytelling, and I Got Bombed at Harvey’s delivers on every level,” said Tara Hein-Phillips, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Jolt.film. “What drew us to the film was the way Amy and Bryan transform an extraordinary true-crime story into something deeply personal, a gripping account of a notorious crime that is also an intimate and surprising family story. That balance of suspense, humanity, and emotional complexity is what this exceptional filmmaking team does so well.”
“We’re excited to partner with Jolt.film to bring I Got Bombed at Harvey’s to audiences across North America through a thoughtful theatrical rollout that gives this remarkable film the platform it deserves,” said producer Howard T. Owens, Co-CEO of Propagate content. “Amy and Bryan have crafted an engrossing documentary that breathes new life into an unbelievable true story, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience their exceptional work.”
