UK
Synopsis
Featuring extensive unseen archive footage and previously unheard tracks, AMY tells the incredible story of six-time Grammy-winner Amy Winehouse. At the same time it shines a light on the world we live in, in a way that very few can.
A once-in-a-generation talent and a pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense, Amy wrote and sung from the heart using her musical gifts to analyse her own problems. The combination of her raw honesty and supreme talent resulted in some of the most original and adored songs of the modern era.
Her huge success, however, resulted in relentless and invasive media attention which coupled with Amy’s troubled relationships and precarious lifestyle saw her life tragically begin to unravel.
Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27.
A once-in-a-generation talent and a pure jazz artist in the most authentic sense, Amy wrote and sung from the heart using her musical gifts to analyse her own problems. The combination of her raw honesty and supreme talent resulted in some of the most original and adored songs of the modern era.
Her huge success, however, resulted in relentless and invasive media attention which coupled with Amy’s troubled relationships and precarious lifestyle saw her life tragically begin to unravel.
Amy Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning in July 2011 at the age of 27.
Director's Statement
AMY is the story of a complex, intelligent, girl with an incredible sense of humour, told through her own words. I wasn't a particularly huge fan before I made the film, but I really fell in love with her during the three years I spent being a part of her world.
Most people knew Amy had an amazing voice but this film is just as much about Amy's incredible talent for writing, people didn't stop to listen carefully enough to her songs, we didn't realise how important her lyrics were and how personal they were, the lyrics essentially provided the map and structure for the story.
During the production, I conducted over 100 interviews with the key people that knew Amy Winehouse; her friends, family, former-partners, her producers and members of the music industry that worked closely with her, the film tells the essence of the findings from these interviews. Ultimately, I feel AMY is a film about love, about a person who wants to be loved, someone who needed love, but didn't always receive it.
Most people knew Amy had an amazing voice but this film is just as much about Amy's incredible talent for writing, people didn't stop to listen carefully enough to her songs, we didn't realise how important her lyrics were and how personal they were, the lyrics essentially provided the map and structure for the story.
During the production, I conducted over 100 interviews with the key people that knew Amy Winehouse; her friends, family, former-partners, her producers and members of the music industry that worked closely with her, the film tells the essence of the findings from these interviews. Ultimately, I feel AMY is a film about love, about a person who wants to be loved, someone who needed love, but didn't always receive it.
Links / Reference
ASIF KAPADIA
BAFTA − winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia has an interest in exploring the lives of ‘outsiders’, characters living in
timeless, extreme and unforgiving circumstances or landscapes. Born in Hackney, London, in 1972, Asif studied
filmmaking at the Royal College of Art where he first gained recognition with his short film THE SHEEP THIEF (1997), telling the story of a gifted street-kid.
His distinct visual style continued with his first feature THE WARRIOR, shot in the deserts of Rajasthan and the
Himalayas. Asif Kapadia’s FAR NORTH (2004), shot in the high Arctic, had its world premiere at the Venice IFF. His
universally acclaimed SENNA, about Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, is the highest-grossing UK documentary of all time.
Asif Kapadia is currently in production on the new drama feature ALI AND NINO for Archery Pictures.
INTERVIEW with Asif Kapadia
BAFTA − winning filmmaker Asif Kapadia has an interest in exploring the lives of ‘outsiders’, characters living in
timeless, extreme and unforgiving circumstances or landscapes. Born in Hackney, London, in 1972, Asif studied
filmmaking at the Royal College of Art where he first gained recognition with his short film THE SHEEP THIEF (1997), telling the story of a gifted street-kid.
His distinct visual style continued with his first feature THE WARRIOR, shot in the deserts of Rajasthan and the
Himalayas. Asif Kapadia’s FAR NORTH (2004), shot in the high Arctic, had its world premiere at the Venice IFF. His
universally acclaimed SENNA, about Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, is the highest-grossing UK documentary of all time.
Asif Kapadia is currently in production on the new drama feature ALI AND NINO for Archery Pictures.
INTERVIEW with Asif Kapadia
Cast & Crew
Directed by: Asif Kapadia
Produced by: James Gay-Rees
Editing: Chris King
Original Score: Antonio Pinto
Nominations and Awards
- European Documentary 2015
- Documentary Selection 2015
