British filmmaker Kevin Macdonald will direct what will be the officially authorized documentary on the late Whitney Houston. The production, which has been given Houston’s estate’s blessing, will tell the unvarnished story of the singer’s life in a film that will examine both the highs and lows of her dramatic career.
With behind-the-scenes materials, candid interviews and performance footage, including many of Houston’s greatest hits, this film will offer a raw and uncensored look at Houston and explore the impact her life and death had on the people around her and on the world of music.
Simon Chinn will produce alongside his Lightbox Media (UK) partner Jonathan Chinn and Lisa Erspramer.
Altitude Film Sales is introducing the project to buyers at the Cannes Film Market next month.
Altitude’s Will Clarke, Andy Mayson and Mike Runagall will executive produce.
Director Kevin Macdonald said about the upcoming film: “The story that is never told about Whitney is just how brilliant she was as an artist; by many measures she had the greatest voice of the last 50 years. She changed the way pop music was sung – bringing it back full circle to its blues and gospel roots. She was also completely unique in being a black pop star who sold in countries where black artists don’t traditionally sell. We have access to never-before-seen footage of Whitney that charts her whole life from her beginnings singing in her church’s gospel choir, to the day of her tragic death at the age of 48 and three decades of her music including exclusive demo recordings, rare performances and audio archives. Although we won’t shy away from the darker parts of Whitney’s life – her descent into addiction – I want audiences to walk out of the cinema and feel positive about Whitney and her music.”
I should note that, last month, Showtime Documentary Films announced the start of production on its own uncensored film exploring the career and life of Whitney Houston, produced, directed and narrated by Nick Broomfield. No word on whether it has any connection to this new Whitney Houston project.
Source: Shadow & Act
