Across just two albums Amy Winehouse completely re-worked how a pop star could operate in the 21st century.
Shattering records, the singer was propelled to enormous global fame, before tragically succumbing to her demons.
New biopic 'Amy: The Girl Behind The Name' is set to explore her life, but already the Winehouse family have spoken out against the documentary makers.
Speaking to The Sun, Mitch Winehouse – the singer's father – said that: "Amy would have be furious. This is not what she would have wanted."
"We can't stop it but when the film does come out we can sue for libel or slander. Our lawyers will view the film and reserve the right to do that and see whether there are any grounds."
In a full statement the family said: “The Winehouse family would like to disassociate themselves from the forthcoming film about their much missed and beloved Amy.”
“They feel that the film is a missed opportunity to celebrate her life and talent and that it is both misleading and contains some basic untruths. There are specific allegations made against family and management that are unfounded and unbalanced. The narrative is formed by the testimony of a narrow sample of Amy’s associates, many of whom had nothing to do with her in the last years of her life. Counter views expressed to the filmmakers did not make the final cut.”
Continuing, the statement argues that the film will skew perception of the singer's fight against addiction. “Fundamentally, the Winehouse family believes that the film does a disservice to individuals and families suffering from the complicated affliction of addiction. By misunderstanding the condition and its treatment, the film suggests for instance that not enough was done for Amy, that her family and management pushed her into performing or did not do enough to help her."
"In reality, the filmmakers were told of a huge effort from all concerned to help Amy at all stages of her illness and their constant presence in her life throughout, as well as that of many excellent medical professionals."
The statement ends by underlining the work done by the Amy Winehouse Foundation, an anti-addiction charity set up in her name. "Amy was an adult who could never be told what she could and could not do." it said.
"Through their work with the Amy Winehouse Foundation, Amy’s family have met many others enduring through the same struggle that they endured and have helped hundreds of disadvantaged young people in Amy’s name. They will continue to do so and hope their work creates more understanding of a terrible illness."
(via NME)
'Amy: The Girl Behind The Name' will be released on July 3rd.
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