Focus Features International has announced that they’ll be handling worldwide sales for a new documentary about the late Grammy award-winning artist Amy Winehouse, directed by Asif Kapadia, whose “Senna” is the highest-grossing documentary in UK history. “Senna” collaborator James Gay-Rees (“Exit Through the Gift Shop”) will produce through Playmaker Films, the duo’s new production company. Universal Music will serve as co-producers.
Speaking of the project, the two said in a statement: “This is an incredibly modern, emotional and relevant film that has the power to capture the zeitgeist and shine a light on the world we live in, in a way that very few films can. Amy was a once-in-a-generation talent who captured everyone’s attention; she wrote and sung from the heart and everyone fell under her spell. But tragically Amy seemed to fall apart under the relentless media attention, her troubled relationships, her global success and precarious lifestyle. As a society we celebrated her huge success but then we were quick to judge her failings when it suited us.”
Alison Thompson, co-president of Focus Features International added: “Asif and James have the remarkable ability to bring a moving and thought-provoking story to life, as evidenced by Senna. We look forward to seeing their vision of Amy Winehouse.”
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