‘Not everyone can do it like her’ – Amy Winehouse biopic Back To Black has world premiere in London
Known for her iconic look and unique talent, Amy Winehouse had risen to an unimaginable level of fame by the time she had died of alcohol poisoning in 2011. She was 27.
The London artist whose songs include Rehab and Tears Dry On Their Own, had struggled with addiction and bulimia throughout her music career.
Now, with Sam Taylor-Johnson at the helm, her life and love of music has been made into its own film titled Back To Black.
The director, who lived in the same neighbourhood as the iconic singer, says she wanted to ensure the film was from Winehouse’s perspective.
Sam Taylor-Johnson wanted show Winehouse’s perspective. Pic: StudioCanal
Using journals, songs and writings from the late artist, she and screenwriter Matt Greenhalgh created the biopic from her own words.
“That felt like the best way to give her back her voice in a way,” she tells Sky News at the world premiere of Back To Black in London.
Marisa Abela portrays Amy Winehouse in the biopic. The 27-year-old British actress says she felt like Amy’s “life had been so picked apart that it was hard to sort of feel anything but the tragedy”.
Marisa Abela said Amy Winehouse’s legacy ‘is one of authenticity’ Pic: StudioCanal
She says it was important to her, the cast and crew that the film shone a light on the talents of the London artist.
“Her legacy is one of authenticity and heart fullness. She embodies her feelings, she wears them on her sleeve but not everyone can do it like her.”
The film depicts the singer-songwriter being hounded constantly by paparazzi.
The late singer’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil is played by This Is England actor Jack O’Connell.
Amy’s ex-husband Blake Fielder-Civil is played by Jack O’Connell Pic: StudioCanal
He says he wanted to make sure there was “a lot of depth” to his portrayal of Winehouse’s former partner who had often been linked with the harsher stories of the musician in tabloid press.
“It was definitely a persona put out there of him,” the actor explains.
He says: “At that level of success she had, when you have paparazzi contributing to that [her addiction], it’s a bad recipe and it’s heartbreaking… it’s definitely an antagonist in the movie.”
Jack O’Connell says addiction ‘ is present throughout’ Pic: StudioCanal
Back To Black doesn’t shy away from the inclusion of the couple’s run in with addiction – of which O’Connell calls “a definite evil that is present throughout”.
Happy-Go Lucky actor Eddie Marsan, who plays Mitch Winehouse in the film, says her death was “a collective trauma” for the world but for her dad, it was the loss of a daughter.
“This film has the courage to show that the main villain of this piece is addiction,” he tells Sky News.
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Eddie Marsan plays Winehouse’s father Pic: StudioCanal
Marsan adds that there are certain safeguards that should have been in place at the time for celebrities like Amy Winehouse, who struggled with sobriety.
“There’s a reason why recovery programmes are called Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, because you need anonymity and privacy to deal with your addiction. And Amy was never afforded that.
“She was hounded in the middle of her addiction. So that made it twice as hard, wrote 100 times harder for the family to say. But they did nine interventions and they still couldn’t save her.”
Amy Winehouse’s music spread beyond the UK. In 2008, she won five Grammy Awards including Best New Artist, Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.
Back To Black is in cinemas on Friday 12th April.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Entertainment
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The Duchess of Sussex has delayed the release of her new Netflix series due to the devastation caused by the wildfires in LA, the streaming platform has announced.
Meghan’s eight-part series, With Love, will premiere on 4 March instead of 15 January.
“I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California,” Meghan said in a statement to Tudum, the official companion site to Netflix.
Harry and Meghan comforted volunteers and handed out food to evacuees during a visit to Pasadena on Friday, where they met with the city’s mayor Victor Gordo and emergency workers tackling the Eaton Fire.
Prince Harry and Meghan were seen comforting residents on Friday
Footage showed the duchess, wearing a blue “LA” baseball cap, and the prince hugging and consoling people who had fled to the Pasadena Convention Center.
They were also seen speaking Doug Goodwin, whose home was destroyed in the wildfires, and also to Jose Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK) which has been helping feed the public and emergency crews.
Prince Harry and Meghan spoke to Doug Goodwin (centre right), whose home was destroyed and Pasadena mayor Victor Gordo (right) in Altadena, California. Pic: AP
A description of the Netflix series on Tudum’s website said: “Produced by Meghan, ‘With Love, Meghan’ blends practical how-to’s and candid conversation with friends, new and old.
“Meghan shares personal tips and tricks, embracing playfulness over perfection, and highlights how easy it can be to create beauty, even in the unexpected.
“She and her guests roll up their sleeves in the kitchen, the garden, and beyond, and invite you to do the same.”
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The royals live in Montecito, near Santa Barbara, around 90 miles from Los Angeles.
They are understood to have donated supplies, including clothing and children’s items, to people affected by the disaster.
They released a statement on Thursday urging people to help those affected by the wildfires and to open their homes to those evacuated.
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