Back to Black (film)

Back to Black is an upcoming biographical film based on the life of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, played by Marisa Abela. The film is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and written by Matt Greenhalgh. The film also stars Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan, Juliet Cowan and Lesley Manville.

Not to be confused with Back to Black or Back to Black (song).

Back to Black
Directed bySam Taylor-Johnson
Written byMatt Greenhalgh
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyPolly Morgan
Edited byMartin Walsh[1]
Production
companies
Distributed by
  • Focus Features (United States)
  • StudioCanal (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Benelux, Scandinavia and Poland)
Countries
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
LanguageEnglish

Following the death of Winehouse in 2011, several filmmakers attempted to create biopic projects but none of them progressed. In 2018, Winehouse's estate announced they had signed a deal for a biopic about her life and career. By July 2022, StudioCanal moved forward with production and filming took place in London from January to April 2023.

Premise

The film will delve into the life and career of Winehouse, beginning with her early days in the early 2000's as a North London jazz musician and culminating in her rise to fame as a Grammy-winning singer with hit songs like "Rehab" and "Back to Black".[2]

Cast

Production

Development

After the death of Winehouse in 2011, filmmakers attempted to create a feature biopic with various projects, but none moved forward. One project included one in 2015 from Lotus Entertainment with Noomi Rapace attached to star.[2] In October 2018, it was announced that Winehouse's estate had signed a deal to make a biopic about her life and career.[3] In July 2022, Deadline Hollywood reported that StudioCanal was moving forward with a feature film entitled Back to Black portraying Winehouse's life and music career. Sam Taylor-Johnson directed from a script by Matt Greenhalgh.[2] The film will feature many of Winehouse's songs from Universal Music Group and Sony Music Publishing.[4] The film is an American and British co-production with StudioCanal, Focus Features and Monumental Pictures.[4]

Casting

In January 2023, it was reported that Marisa Abela would star as Winehouse.[5] Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville were added to the cast later that month.[6] O'Connell portrays Blake Fielder-Civil, Amy's husband from 2007 to 2009.[6] Marsan and Manville play Amy's father and grandmother, Mitch Winehouse and Cynthia Winehouse, respectively.[6] Juliet Cowan portrays Amy's mother, Janis Winehouse-Collins.[7]

Filming

Principal photography took place in London from January to April 2023, with Polly Morgan as cinematographer.[4][8][9] Scenes were filmed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, outside Winehouse's first flat in Camden Town and at Primrose Hill.[10][11] In February, scenes were shot inside the Metropolis Studios in Chiswick.[12] From 13 March to 18 March, production moved to Fitzrovia to film scenes at the Fitzroy Square.[13] That following week, Abela and O'Connell shot scenes at the London Zoo.[14]

Release

Back to Black will be distributed by Focus Features in the United States, with its parent company Universal Pictures distributing internationally excluding the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Benelux, Scandinavia and Poland, where StudioCanal will distribute.[4]

References
  1. "Martin Walsh ACE - Resume". Independent Talent. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  2. Kroll, Justin (11 July 2022). "Amy Winehouse Biopic 'Back To Black' Moving Forward At Studiocanal With Sam Taylor-Johnson Directing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  3. Snapes, Laura (15 October 2018). "Amy Winehouse family signs deal to make biopic". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.
  4. Dalton, Ben. "London shoot underway on Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black". KFTV.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  5. Kroll, Justin (13 January 2023). "Studiocanal's Amy Winehouse Pic 'Back To Black' Lands At Focus Features 'Industry' Star Marisa Abela To Play Grammy-Winning Singer; First Look Unveiled". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  6. Kroll, Justin (19 January 2023). "Jack O'Connell, Eddie Marsan And Lesley Manville Join Studiocanal And Focus' Amy Winehouse Pic Back To Black". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 19 January 2023. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  7. Chrisp, Kitty (19 February 2023). "Amy Winehouse's dad disappointed not to be played by George Clooney in new biopic: 'Eddie f****** Marsan!'". Metro. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  8. Eagan, Daniel (21 December 2022). "Over a Hundred Pinks: Barbie Production Designer Sarah Greenwood Previews the Greta Gerwig Comedy". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  9. Sam Taylor-Johnson [@samtaylorjohnson] (16 April 2023). "It's taken me a while to land back into life and realize what we collectively went through making our movie Back to Black. It's a collaborative experience and I'm grateful to all and everyone one of you who came on board. I'm off into the quiet darkness of the edit room for the months to come. Looking forward to sharing the alchemy". Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved 28 July 2023 – via Instagram.
  10. Chrisp, Kitty (16 January 2023). "Is that Marisa Abela or Amy Winehouse on the set of Back To Black?". Metro UK. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  11. Leaver, Joel (20 January 2023). "Amy Winehouse's biopic sees 'Blake' arrested in scenes filmed outside her old flat". Daily Mirror. Archived from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  12. Smith, Matt (8 February 2023). "Scenes for Amy Winehouse biopic Back to Black filmed in Chiswick". The Chiswick Calendar. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  13. Rees, Linus (12 March 2023). "Film crews promise to minimise nuisance during Winehouse shoot". Fitzrovia News. Archived from the original on 21 March 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  14. Graye, Megan (23 March 2023). "Back to Black: Biopic team recreates Amy Winehouse's first date with Blake Fielder-Civil". Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
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