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Lightbox preps Houston doc

Whitney Houston

Lightbox promises to tell the full story of Houston’s life

Channel 4-backed indie Lightbox Media is making the first officially authorised documentary about the singer Whitney Houston since her death in 2012.

The as-yet-untitled project is being produced by Lightbox, the UK firm founded by Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn (Man on Wire, Searching for Sugar Man) and his cousin, Emmy winner Jonathan Chinn (American High, 30 Days).

The producers said it will tell “the unvarnished and authentic” story of the US singer’s life and examine both the highs and lows of her dramatic career.

Director Kevin Macdonald will interview key figures in Houston’s life and career, including Clive Davis, founder and president of Arista Records, currently chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment.

Altitude Film Sales will handle international distribution for the film, which was brought to Lightbox by TV veteran and former executive producer of Oprah, Lisa Erspamer.

wolf_creek“We have access to never-before-seen footage of Whitney that charts her whole life from her beginnings singing in her Church’s gospel choir to the day of her tragic death at the age of 48 and three decades of her music including exclusive demo recordings, rare performances and audio archive,” said Macdonald.

“Although we won’t shy away from the darker parts of Whitney’s life – her descent into addiction – I want audiences to walk out of the cinema and feel positive about Whitney and her music.”

The film will be released in the UK by Altitude Film Distribution, which last year handled Oscar- and Bafta-winning doc Amy, about the late singer Amy Winehouse. The film grossed a record-breaking £3.8m (US$5.54m) at the UK box office.

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