“By many measures she had the greatest voice of the last 50 years”, said the director.
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The filmmakers have also been granted access to exclusive demo recordings, rare performances and an archive of recordings.
She sold an estimated 200 million records worldwide and enjoyed seven consecutive No.1 Billboard Hot 100 hits – a record she shares with Madonna.
The documentary will also feature never-before-seen footage which will showcase her entire life – from singing in the church choir to her tragic death.
Now, her story is to be told in a new documentary that has been approved by her estate, which promises to offer an “unvarnished and authentic” account of her life.
Producer Simon Chinn adds, “My business partner Jonathan Chinn and I were thrilled when Lisa Erspamer brought this fantastic project to us – and even more thrilled when Kevin Macdonald came on to direct”.
The singer’s estate has just given the greenlight to a promising team to begin work on the project: Variety reports that filmmaker Kevin Macdonald, an Oscar victor for One Day in September, will direct a feature documentary about Whitney.
Director Kevin Macdonald will interview key figures in Houston’s life and career, including Clive Davis, founder and president of Arista Records, now chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment. “She changed the way pop music was sung -bringing it back full circle to its blues and gospel roots”. Macdonald will also focus on the darker parts of her life, including her issues with addiction and troubled marriage.
The film will be released in the United Kingdom by Altitude Film Distribution, who released the Oscar and BAFTA-winning AMY past year, which grossed £3.8 million at the United Kingdom box office.
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Altitude Film Sales will handle global distribution for the film, which was brought to Lightbox by TV veteran and former executive producer of Oprah, Lisa Erspamer.
