MOVIE NEWS – One of the most talented singers of recent times, Amy Winehouse, lived a stormy life and died tragically early at the age of 27. Just four years after his death, a documentary (Amy) was made about him, which openly presented his struggle with himself and the world, pointing out the many contradictions that were connected to his person.

 

After that, director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh cut their ax into a big tree when they made a feature film about the singer called Back To Black. Winehouse‘s family – with whom the singer had a relationship that was not without conflicts – gave their blessing to the project, so it was feared that the creative couple would refrain from raising more sensitive questions, lest the relatives be offended. However, Taylor-Johnson told Empire that there was no such thing.

“I thought it was important to sit down and talk with them as a sign of my respect,” said the director. – But they didn’t have a say in the film, they had no way to change anything about what we thought. They couldn’t dictate what and how to do it. If it had been like that, I wouldn’t even get involved.”

If the family had had a say in the making of the film, the harshest critic would probably have been father Mitch Winehouse, who strongly disliked the way the 2015 documentary portrayed the singer, and he also voiced this. Mitch has already seen Back To Black, but he doesn’t know what he thinks about it.

“I know he saw the movie, but I wasn’t there and we didn’t talk about it,” says Taylor-Johnson. “I think he keeps what he feels to himself.” In any case, it was very important to me that there should be no external noise or movement in my space when the film is being made. Strictly speaking, I didn’t even need the family’s consent. Music rights granted by Universal and Sony. I tried to portray Amy in a true way and that she loved her father. What we think Mitch did right or wrong is a completely different thing.”

Greenhalgh, the screenwriter, wanted to tell the story from Amy‘s point of view, using the lyrics as a starting point. He didn’t even meet the family members. “Mitch makes his point in his book,” says Greenhalgh. – The same situation with Janis (the mother of the singer – the editor). I don’t think he would have made any progress on the matter if we met in person.”

Greenhalgh cannot help emphasizing that the film is the result of the creative collaboration of the main contributors: “It is a creative work. Somehow this still doesn’t fit in the head of many. On the one hand, it’s in the movie as I see Amy, and then as Sam sees it. And then there’s what Marisa thinks of Amy, and how Jack sees Blake. (Marisa Abela plays the singer, and Jack O’Connell plays her partner, Blake.) So it’s subjective we put this film together from things, but we have the hope that the audience will understand the end result and be able to accept it.”

(Back To Black – domestic release: April 11, 2024.)

Source: UIP