First authorized Whitney Houston documentary film is in the works
Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald has been tasked with directing the first authorized Whitney Houston documentary, which will look at the late star’s rise from gospel singer to one of the best-selling artists of all time.
It will include an interview with Arista Records founder Clive Davis, who played a significant role in Houston’s success. The documentary, which is the first film project to be endorsed by Whitney’s family, will feature previously unseen footage of Houston, as well as demo recordings.
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.
Houston was found unconscious in a bathtub in the Beverly Hilton Hotel in 2012 and was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Her death at age 48 followed a decades-long battle with addiction and a tumultuous 15-year marriage to singer Bobby Brown. During her career, Houston sold over 200 million records worldwide and had a record seven consecutive no. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits.
Altitude, the British production company behind Amy, will produce the documentary. And… of course, Macdonald’s documentary isn’t the only film about the singer in the works. Although Macdonald has the estate’s blessing, filmmaker Nick Broomfield, best known for his controversial documentary series featuring tales about stars like Biggie and Tupac, among others, is also directing a flick about the “I Will Always Love You” singer. According to BBC, the film created for BBC Two “goes in search of the forces that made and then destroyed the singer.”
