Watch the first trailer for the Amy Winehouse biopic
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Celebrity biopics have always been a controversial topic, and the story of Amy Winehouse, which is coming in the shape of Back To Black, is no exception.
Whether you dispute the fictionalisation of the 'Valerie' singer's life or are all for it, it's coming. So with that in mind, here's everything you need to know about Back To Black, from expected release date to casting news and first look pics.
What is Back to Black's release date?
The Amy Winehouse biopic will be in UK cinemas on the 12th April 2024.
Do we have a trailer for Back to Black?
Yes! Our first proper look at Marisa Abela in the role of Amy Winehouse came on the 10th January 2024. In it, 'Back to Black' by Amy Winehouse plays in the background, while we get a glimpse at the singer's rise to fame:
What parts of Amy Winehouse's life will Back to Black cover?
We all know Amy Winehouse, if not for her soulful and memorable musical impact, then perhaps for her now iconic image: sky-high beehive hair, tattoo clad arms, and thickly-laid eyeliner flicks. One of the production companies for the film, Focus Features, has said:
"Back to Black will focus on Amy’s extraordinary genius, creativity and honesty that infused everything she did. A journey that took her from the craziness and colour of 90’s Camden High Street to global adoration - and back again, Back to Black crashes through the looking glass of celebrity to watch this journey from behind the mirror, to see what Amy saw, to feel what she felt."
It would be safe to assume that the film will portray not only the humble beginnings and the rise of the singer, but also the development of her two albums, and likely her struggles and tragic death shortly thereafter. The singer became a musical sensation after becoming a household name from the release of her debut album Frank in 2003, followed by her Grammy winning follow-up Back to Black in 2006. The smoky-voiced singer skyrocketed to fame and quickly became a prominent figure in pop culture of the time.
Sadly, Winehouse began to show signs of addiction and erratic behaviour. Paired with a dramatic weight loss and performances in which the singer seemed intoxicated and incoherent, she was the subject of scrutiny in 2008 when images were leaked that seemed to show Winehouse taking illegal substances.
Because of this, she was unable to attend the 2008 Grammy Awards where she was set to perform, and instead had to perform in London and livestream into the awards show. It was here that she won five Grammy awards, including Best Song for 'Rehab'.
On 23rd July 2011, she tragically passed away at the age of 27 from alcohol poisoning.
Back to Black cast
It's a tall order to find someone who can emanate the charisma and raw talent that Winehouse had. But the Back to Black creative team have found their Amy in Marisa Abela, who fans might recognise from HBO's Industry. The rest of the cast includes:
Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse
Jack O'Connell as Blake Fielder-Civil
Eddie Marsan as Mitch Winehouse
Lesley Manville as Cynthia Winehouse
How authentic will Back to Black be?
The film has been approved by The Amy Winehouse Estate, her family, and has been discussed in a statement by them saying: “We are thrilled that Studiocanal, Focus Features and Monumental are making this movie celebrating our daughter Amy’s extraordinary music legacy and showcasing her talent in the way that it deserves.”
Because of this, her original music will be used in the film. (It would hardly be an Amy Winehouse film with it, right?) However, whether Marisa Abela will be using her own singing to imitate the singer's husky, jazz-leaning voice is yet to be confirmed.
What's the Back to Black criticism about?
Fans of Amy Winehouse have criticised the film for being too soon after the singer's death, deeming it insensitive and also exploitative. While the late singer's foundation and also the director claim they will celebrate her legacy with the feature length film, others have questioned its intentions, and whether it actually seeks to cash in on the trauma of her experiences.
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