A new documentary on the life of reggae legend Bob Marley is scheduled to open April 20 in the United States. Directed by Scottish director, Kevin Macdonald, Marley will be distributed by Magnolia Pictures.

According to the Hollywood Reporter publication, the documentary will be shown in theatres, and will be available in Video On Demand and digital format. It will be first shown during this week's Berlin International Film Festival.

Its first showing will be at the March 9-17 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas.

"Bob Marley is a fascinating, towering figure in musical history, and Marley is the biography that he deserves," Magnolia president Eamonn Bowles is quoted as saying. "Kevin Macdonald has once again shown himself to be a master documentarian with this eye-opening, entertaining, beautifully crafted film."

Macdonald won an Academy Award in 1999 for directing One Day In September.

For Marley, he used rare footage, archival photos, performances and interviews with family, friends and bandmates for fans and persons who know little of the singer/songwriter to get an authentic portrayal of his life.

Steve Bing of Shangri-La Entertainment and Charles Steel co-produced Marley while Marley's oldest son, Ziggy, and Island Records founder Chris Blackwell are executive producers. Island distributed several of Marley's best albums.

"This documentary is the ultimate revelation of my father's life," said Ziggy Marley. "The family is proud to be able to have the world finally experience this emotional journey."

The Marley documentary has been the subject of much speculation.

High-profile film-makers such as Martin Scorsese and Jonathan Demme were rumoured to be potential directors before Macdonald was offered the job.

Marley, reggae's most enduring figure, is best known for songs like No Woman Nuh Cry, One Love and Exodus, died from cancer in May, 1981 at age 36.