Taglines: Her music. Her life. Her legacy.
Back to Black is a never-before-seen glimpse into Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame and the release of her groundbreaking studio album, Back to Black. Told from Amy’s perspective, the film is an unapologetic look at the woman behind the phenomenon and the relationship that inspired one of the most legendary albums of all time.
A celebration of the most iconic – and much missed – homegrown star of the 21st century, Back to Black tells the extraordinary tale of Amy Winehouse. Painting a vivid, vibrant picture of the Camden streets she called home and capturing the struggles of global fame, BACK TO BLACK honours Amy’s artistry, wit, and honesty, as well as trying to understand her demons. An unflinching look at the modern celebrity machine and a powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.
A biopic of London’s late soulful songstress Amy Winehouse will be gracing our screens very soon. Named Back to Black after Winehouse’s 2006 single and studio album of the same name, the upcoming movie promises to highlight the highs and lows of her life, while also capturing what made her so special in the first place. The film will chronicle the British singer-songwriter’s early career as a North London jazz musician, and her meteoric rise to critical and widespread audience acclaim with singles like “Back to Black,” “You Know I’m No Good,” and “Rehab.”
After Winehouse’s tragic death in 2011, filmmakers had been trying their hand at a biopic feature to no avail. The only film that made it past the development stage was the excellent documentary film Amy, which won an Oscar for Best Documentary in 2016. Amy revealed behind-the-scenes footage of Winehouse that allowed audiences to gain a deeper insight into the singer’s psyche. In 2018, Winehouse’s estate gave the green light for this biopic about her life and career.
Back to Black is an American biographical film based on the life of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, played by Marisa Abela. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson and written by Matt Greenhalgh, the film also stars Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan, Juliet Cowan and Lesley Manville.
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 film about her life and career. By July 2022, StudioCanal moved forward with production, and filming took place in London from January to April 2023.
Principal photography took place in London from January to April 2023, with Polly Morgan serving as cinematographer. Scenes were filmed at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, outside Winehouse’s first flat in Camden Town, and at Primrose Hill. In February, scenes were shot inside the Metropolis Studios in Chiswick. From 13 March to 18 March, production moved to Fitzrovia to film scenes at the Fitzroy Square. That following week, Abela and O’Connell shot scenes at the London Zoo.
The film was released theatrically by StudioCanal in the United Kingdom on April 12, 2024, and by Focus Features in the United States on May 10, 2024. Back to Black distributed by Focus Features in the United States (US), with its parent company Universal Pictures distributing internationally excluding the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, Benelux, Scandinavia and Poland. The film was released by StudioCanal in the UK and Poland on April 12, 2024, followed by Germany, Australia and the Netherlands on April 18, and France and New Zealand the following week.
Back to Black (2024)
Directed by: Sam Taylor-Johnson
Starring: Marisa Abela, Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan, Juliet Cowan, Lesley Manville, Bronson Webb, Harley Bird, Pierre Bergman, Sam Buchanan, Jeff Tunke, Colin Mace, Matilda Thorpe
Screenplay by: Matt Greenhalgh
Production Design by: Sarah Greenwood
Cinematography by: Polly Morgan
Film Editing by: Martin Walsh
Costume Design by: PC Williams
Set Decoration by: Gabrielle Rosenberg, Katie Spencer
Art Direction by: Alex Bowens, Joe Howard, Matthew Kerly
MPAA Rating: R for drug use, language throughout, sexual content and nudity.
Distributed by: StudioCanal (United Kingdom), Focus Features (United States)
Release Date: April 12, 2024 (United Kingdom), May 17, 2024 (United States)
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