Details of Amy Winehouse’s Upcoming Biopic 'Back to Black'
A feature film directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson as a tribute to remember the life and music of the late Amy Winehouse.
After several failed attempts of bringing Amy Winehouse’s legacy to life via the medium of film, a new feature, 'Back to Black' (dubbed after her final album that won her several awards at the GRAMMYS) is finally in the works.
Diverging from the Asif Kapadia-directed 2015 'Amy' — a documentary uncovering archival footage and personal testimonies of Winehouse, the film will embark on a journey to depict the story of late Amy Winehouse’s music landscape and career.
Under the production of StudioCanal, British Filmmaker and Academy Member Sam Taylor-Johnson, more famously known as the Director of 'Fifty Shades of Grey' (also a close friend of Winehouse), will be helming the rights to direct the biopic. 'Back to Black' will also be backed by Amy Winehouse’s estate, currently under the care of her parents, Mitch Winehouse and Janis Winehouse.
The biggest wonder that has onlookers pondering is who will be playing the iconic Amy Winehouse? Several speculations have already been made; fans are anticipating Lady Gaga, who is often recognised for her uncanny resemblance to Winehouse.
Following the last contender who was attached to play Winehouse for her biopic in 2015, Noomi Rapace could also be in the running for 'Back to Black'. Fans are also rooting for Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregi after she embodied the late songstress Amy Winehouse in LipSync Battle in 2018. That said, there may be a possibility that a non-celebrity will be fronting on screen as Winehouse’s dad has expressed a similar wish, saying in 2018: "I wouldn’t mind betting it would be an unknown, young, English – London, cockney – actress who looks a bit like Amy."
The biopic received contradicting responses from the public — some were eager to see how the feature film will come into existence, while others were doubtful of its appropriateness, considering the singer was struggling with substance abuse and destructive relationships before her passing. The lines between honouring an artist’s legacy and using their stories for profit are blurred and seem even harder to define. Some fans took their sentiments on social media, professing their thoughts on the film “exploiting her death” and glamorizing her battles with drug and alcohol addiction. With discussions spawning online, several devotees have also expressed to “leave her pain behind” and let her memories be left alone.
More details of the upcoming film have yet to be released, hence we’re left unsure about Taylor-Johnson’s approach to the film. The biopic will hopefully spotlight Winehouses’ album “Back to Black” (the same shared title for the film) and celebrate her passion and creativity, without unwrapping the recount of her death as the other movies did in avoidance of amplifying its “inappropriateness” of capitalising on the tragedy.
For now, let’s sit back and anticipate what Hollywood has in store for us.
