Netflix has acquired global rights to "The Disciple: A Wu-Tang Fable," a documentary that premiered at Sundance charting the story of rapper-producer Cilvaringz and his role in creating the Wu-Tang Clan's contentious "Once Upon a Time in Shaolin" album. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Oscar-winning British filmmaker Joanna Natasegara, and the deal reunites her with Netflix after her short "The White Helmets" won the streamer its first Academy Award in 2016.

The documentary, executive produced by and featuring Wu-Tang's RZA, follows Tarik Azzougarh, known as Cilvaringz, from teenage superfan to trusted member of the group's inner circle. It traces the making of the 31-track album, of which only a single copy exists, sold at auction in 2015 for $2 million to Martin Shkreli, the entrepreneur later convicted of fraud, in what became the most expensive musical work ever sold. "The Disciple" is set for release on Netflix on 16 October.