On July 23, 2011, the British music industry lost one of its most promising young talents when Amy Winehouse passed away at the age of 27. It was a tragic, all-too-surprising turn of events that left fans of the Back to Black singer inconsolable; though her life, battle with mental illness and stunted musical career will underpin Asif Kapadia’s upcoming documentary, Amy.
As the award-winning director behind the rather excellent racing drama, Senna, there’s already an air of excitement surrounding Kapadia’s latest outing. Utilizing archive footage from Winehouse’s childhood right up to her death from alcohol poisoning in 2011, the 90-minute feature will explore much of the popstar’s life on and off the stage, including her notorious clashes with the paparazzi in the latter stages of her career.
Winehouse herself may have been controversial to many, but with the right touch, her story could prove to be an interesting showcase of life in the limelight and the trouble it so often entails.
Given Winehouse’s British roots, Amy will open in a limited release in the United Kingdom on July 3, though it’s understood that Kapadia’s touching documentary will make its way across the pond to the States sometime in the summer.
From BAFTA award-winning director Asif Kapadia (SENNA), AMY tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse – in her own words. Featuring extensive unseen archive footage and previously unheard tracks, this strikingly modern, moving and vital film shines a light on the world we live in, in a way that very few can.
A once-in-a-generation talent, Amy Winehouse was a musician that captured the world’s attention. A pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense – she wrote and sung from the heart using her musical gifts to analyse her own problems. The combination of her raw honesty and supreme talent resulted in some of the most unique and adored songs of the modern era.