Singer Amy Winehouse performs at a concert in Sao Paulo on January 15, 2011.
London (Reuters) — Amy Winehouse's lyrics and music became director Sam Taylor-Johnson's “guiding star” as he brought the late singer's story to the big screen in “Back to Black.”
The biographical feature film follows Winehouse's rise to fame and depicts her family and relationship with ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil.
It's been nearly 13 years since the six-time Grammy Award winner died at the age of 27 from alcohol poisoning. Her untimely death shocked the music world as she was considered one of the most talented singers of her generation.
Telling the story from Winehouse's perspective was essential to Taylor-Johnson.
“I just wanted to have her perspective to give her her agency back, because it felt like her agency was taken away and she became the victim of a tragedy. Because I felt like it,” she said at the film's world premiere. Monday in London.
“By doing it through her words and through her music, I felt like I was bringing the music to life and celebrating her again. It felt so important. I felt like she deserved it.” I did.”
British actress Marisa Abela plays Winehouse, and for her the role was both daunting and a dream come true.
“You don't get a role like Amy every day. It's not because she's Amy Winehouse, it's because she's everything.”
“She was smart and funny and bold and courageous, but also incredibly vulnerable and emotional. That's what I wanted to convey. I… I wanted to remind people of the vulnerability of this girl, Amy.”
Abella, 27, who sings the “Rehab'' singer's hit songs in the film, said she took singing lessons every day for four months and studied Winehouse's lyrics in preparation for her role.
“Back to Black” has been approved by the Amy Winehouse estate, and Taylor-Johnson also met with Winehouse's parents.
“I didn't need anyone's approval. And it's important for me to say that, because it's also important for me to declare that I made the movie exactly how I wanted to make it. I didn't need anyone's approval. “But I wanted to honor the family and meet them.'' “The fact that I was making a film about their daughter, and it would be wrong not to meet them,'' And the fact that they saw it and then approved this is really good,” Taylor-Johnson said.
“I hope Amy would be proud that her music has stood the great test of time, and that we are here to celebrate her once again,” she added.
“Back to Black” will be released worldwide on April 11th.
