Sumerian Pictures Acquires North American Rights to ‘Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt

The film is directed by Tom Stern and combines archival footage, animation, puppetry, and reenactments featuring the band. In addition, Richard Linklater, Flea, Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones, Henry Rollins, and Ice-T are interviewed about a group that was known for combining psychedelia, punk and grunge with energetic, anti-establishment, often chaotic live shows.

"Tom Stern and team are taking us on a wild ride and we are excited to bring audiences to the incredible story of these punk icons," Rob Williams, president of Sumerian Pictures, said. Related Stories New York City's East Side Will Lose Yet Another Movie Theater with Imminent Closure of AMC Kips Bay Indie Star Joe Swanberg Never Really Left — but He’s Definitely Back Now

Sumerian is a newcomer to the indie distribution scene , but it turned heads with its acquisition of the 2026 Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award winner, "Josephine," starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan. The film is seen as a potential awards season player .

Though it only got into the film business last year, its parent company Sumerian has been in the music and publishing game for 20 years. Recent and upcoming Sumerian Pictures films include Louis Paxton's comedy, "The Incomer"; the romantic comedy "Mile End Kicks," directed by Chandler Levack; and "Horsegirls," directed by Lauren Meyering.

"The Butthole Surfers are one of the most mind-blowing stories in rock history. Our goal was to make a film that captured their essence, so the ecstatic reactions of film festival audiences have been deeply gratifying," Stern said. "I'm thrilled Sumerian has joined forces with us to bring this experience to an ever wider audience."

Williams negotiated the deal on behalf of Sumerian with Dan Braun and Matt Burke from Submarine. Winner of the SXSW "Best in Texas" award, the documentary audience award at the Philadelphia Film Festival, and the grand jury prize for best documentary at the Independent Film Festival Boston, "Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt" has been entertaining audiences at festivals around the country prior to its theatrical release this week as part of exclusive event engagements at Drafthouse Cinema. An all media release will follow.

The Butthole Surfers were key players in the underground music scene in the 1980s. They were radically inclusive as an antidote to the straight, conformist, homophobic Reagan ethos of the time. When they started their endless touring, their name was so provocative newspapers wouldn't print it. 10 years later, Beavis and Butthead and Letterman were saying it on primetime national TV. In the process, the Butthole Surfers became one of Kurt Cobain's favorite bands, Perry Farrell asked them to perform at the first Lollapalooza, and Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones produced their first major-label record. Plus, their devoted fans include many of the world's most influential and acclaimed artists.

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