Watch a Young Amy Winehouse Sing Happy Birthday
After receiving rave reviews in May at the Cannes Film Festival, Amy remains one of the most highly anticipated films of 2015. Directed by Asif Kapadia, the film is featuring never-before-seen footage and interviews with her closest friends, ex-lovers, and collaborators, illuminating the Grammy winner’s early struggles with depression and bulimia en route to her surge as an artist.
However, Winehouse's father and former boyfriend have come out with much protest, issuing a statement claiming Amy “is both misleading and contains some basic untruths.” In response to this, the filmmakers have maintained cooperation of the Winehouse estate and confirmed to have "conducted in the region of 100 interviews with people that knew Amy Winehouse; friends, family, former partners and members of the music industry that worked with her." The film is said to be based off of these interviews.
Are there really "untruths" in the film, or was there more to Amy Winehouse than what her family and former boyfriend knew? Regardless, the controversy is adding both mystery and hype for the documentary's much anticipated release. For now, enjoy this special clip featuring the songstress singing "Happy Birthday" as a young 14-year-old. Amy will be in LA and NY theaters on July 3rd with a national release on July 10th.
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[Trailer] Amy
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By now, we're all mostly familiar with the tragic story of Amy Winehouse. It's hard to believe that almost four years have passed since her untimely death, yet the story about the talented songstress is still being shaped to this day. Amy, directed by Senna director Asif Kapadia, utilizes unseen footage to serve as the definitive story of Winehouse's short life.
However, the documentary has received minor backlash from those close to Winehouse, with many who initially supported the documentary now distancing themselves following the doc's premiere at Cannes earlier this year. A statement released by a spokesperson for Winehouse's family reads:
They feel that the film is a missed opportunity to celebrate her life and talent and that it is both misleading and contains some basic untruths....There are specific allegations made against family and management that are unfounded and unbalanced.
Nevertheless, Amy promises an intimate look at Winehouse's life with nearly one-hundred interviews conducted to dictate the documentary's objective look at the Grammy award-winning singer's rise. Amy follows the release of another notable music documentary in Montage of Heck, which examines the life of departed Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain through private home videos and support from Cobain's widow, Courtney Love.
Amy will be in theaters on July 10th.