The Sam Taylor-Johnson-directed film Back to Black, which traces the life and music of Amy Winehouse, hits theaters this Wednesday.
Amy Winehouse, her music, her life: the singer is the focus of a new film that traces her career and her tragic fate. The film is scheduled to be shown in French cinemas this Wednesday, April 24th Back to black and produced by the Brit Sam Taylor-Johnson immerses us in the making of the record of the same name, which is considered one of the most legendary albums in contemporary music, but also (and above all?) in her chaotic love story, media-heavy and eminently destructive, with her husband Blake Fielder Civil.
As the film progresses, we rediscover the songs that make up the album Back to black, sold 16 million copies and won five Grammy Awards. “I wanted to make a film from Amy’s point of view – through her eyes. Only in the lyrics and melodies of her songs can we truly see her true personality. I chose to tell her story in her own words, from the “songs she wrote – songs in which she bared her soul,” emphasizes director Sam Taylor-Johnson in a press release.
The songs of Amy Winehouse, played by actress Marisa Abela, accompany the film Back to black Therefore, when watching the film, the question immediately arises: Who sings these hits? It’s hard to believe given Amy Winehouse’s unique voice, but it’s actually the actress who plays her who sings the soundtrack Back to black.
“Sam [Taylor-Johnson] insisted that she didn’t really care if the actress could sing, but it turns out we were really lucky because of Marisa [Abela] sang beautifully: she sings all the songs in the film and she is absolutely extraordinary!” explains Alison Owen, the film’s producer, in a press release. And to the actress who worked hard to overcome the enormous vocal challenge, I would like to add: “For me it was important to do everything I could to put my heart and soul into this role.”
To achieve a result that matched Amy Winehouse’s recognizable voice, Marisa Abela worked hard: 2.5 hours of singing a day, seven days a week, for four months. “Marisa trained until her voice was able to tell the story in an emotional way that touched us. That’s why we know it’s not Amy, but she sings with such expressiveness that we don’t even ask the question,” comments Sam Taylor-Johnson.
