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How biopic “Back to Black” puts Amy Winehouse “right back in the center of her story”
Trying to capture a life in film – never mind one as complex as that of Amy Winehouse – can be a challenge. When it comes to biographical films, critics often fire from both sides, calling them exploitative or sanitized. It’s not for the faint-hearted director. But according to Sam Taylor-Johnson, “There’s something about tackling difficult subjects where I just think, come on, let’s go!“
Taylor-Johnson’s film, “Back to Black,” a drama about the life and music of British singer Amy Winehouse, was generating interest well before its U.S. release this week. While Taylor-Johnson was shooting, photos from the set were published, engendering fierce reactions. “Yeah, it was difficult in the early days,” she said, “not because I read anything, because I try not to read anything.”
Doane asked, “But you must have been aware when people were saying, this is ‘revolting’?”
“No, I wasn’t actually. Thanks for letting me know!” Taylor-Johnson laughed. “I make sure everyone on set tells me nothing. Because I can’t make the movie I want to make if I start hearing people’s dissenting voices or opinions.”
“Back to Black” focuses on the making of the album by that name. It chronicles an intensely creative and complicated period for the multi-platinum-selling-artist, who’d wind up producing only two albums before she died from alcohol poisoning at just 27.
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Winehouse’s brash charisma, that voice, and her distinct musical style made her a star. She won five Grammys for the album “Back to Black.” But along with her success, the singer’s struggles were well-publicized, including her battle with alcohol and drugs, and the tumultuous relationship with her husband, Blake Fielder-Civil.
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But with so much written and said about Winehouse, was there something that the director wanted to get across that she felt the public didn’t know? “I guess what I wanted to do was to kind of create the whole person,” Taylor-Johnson said. “And so much of what we knew about her was sort of fed to us by the tabloids. And with our movie, it’s about really being with her as she creates the music, and that’s a perspective I don’t think we’ve necessarily felt or seen.”
Pre-beehive and before all the attention, Winehouse’s talent and self-confidence were already apparent at age 20. In a 2004 interview on British TV, the host asked her about pressures from her record company:
Jonathan Ross: “Have they tried to mold you in anyway? Did people ask you to do things to change the way you look or speak or behave?”
Amy Winehouse: “Yeah! One of them tried to mold me into a big triangle shape, and I went, ‘No!'”
Taylor-Johnson said, “It was one of the first times I’d seen her in an interview, and I remember just thinking, she’s funny and she’s so quick.”
Taylor-Johnson turned to Marisa Abela to portray the singer. And while other actresses came to the audition with Winehouse’s signature beehive hairdo and eye makeup, Abela did not. “I felt that it was important that I had to inhabit Amy from the inside out.”
“Sunday Morning” met Abela at London’s Abbey Road Studios, where she came to record vocals for the film, with Winehouse’s former band. “It was amazing,” she said. “I mean, it was nerve-wracking, as you can imagine – not only, like, incredibly talented session musicians, but they are Amy’s band – my first time singing with any band!”
While auditioning, Abela told the director she couldn’t really sing. “There are jobs that come up where you say, ‘Yeah, of course I can ride a horse or I can swordfight.’ But for this, I didn’t want to get it in like the back doorway,” she said.
And what did Taylor-Johnson think? “It’s okay, because I kept thinking we’ll figure out a way. And that way, I guess, you know, will be sort of lip-syncing and dubbing. But it also felt unsatisfactory doing it that way.”
In the end, they did not need dubbing – Abela trained, and sang the entire film.
To watch a trailer for “Back to Black,” click on the video player below:
Taylor-Johnson was equally obsessed with trying to get every detail right: “How would Amy see this? How would she think? Am I telling this authentic to how she would see it? Would she be mad at me? Am I going to have a bad dream tonight where she comes and tells me it’s not good?”
About 20 years ago, she’d seen Winehouse at the London jazz club Ronnie Scott’s, where they shot scenes for the film. “She’d step down off the stage, and just was singing in a sort of very shy and quite fragile way, but with this incredibly powerful voice,” Taylor-Johnson said. “And I do remember just thinking, this is something special.”
Amy Winehouse’s story has long been shaped by public perception – her father sometimes seen as an enabler, her husband blamed for her drug use. But this film explores the deep connection Winehouse had with them, using the singer’s own lyrics and writings as a guide.
Asked to address critics who say the film profits from a story with a tragic ending, Abela replied, “I think that sometimes when we experience a trauma as a society, like the death of an incredibly loved and respected talent, that trauma and that tragedy can eclipse the success. I think that this story is putting Amy right back in the center of her story and giving her her songs back.”
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Story produced by Mikaela Bufano. Editor: Ed Givnish.
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As credit card debt climbs nationwide and credit card interest rates soar, many Americans have found themselves struggling to pay off what they owe. After all, you don’t need a high balance to find yourself in serious financial trouble when your credit card interest rate is 23% (or higher), as the interest charges will compound quickly at that rate. As a result, many cardholders are looking for relief, and credit card debt forgiveness programs are one option worth considering.
These programs are typically offered through debt relief companies and can help borrowers negotiate with creditors to reduce their outstanding balances — sometimes by as much as 50%. However, the path to debt forgiveness is filled with potential pitfalls that could leave you in an even worse financial position than when you started. While the promise of reducing your debt burden is alluring, making the wrong moves during this process can expose you to legal action from creditors or even lead to tax complications.
So before pursuing credit card debt forgiveness, it’s crucial to understand the common mistakes that could derail your debt relief journey and potentially cost you thousands of dollars. Otherwise, this approach could end up costing you a lot more than you bargained for.
See if you qualify for credit card debt forgiveness now.
Want to have your credit card debt forgiven? Avoid these 3 costly mistakes
Here are three critical errors to avoid when seeking credit card debt forgiveness.
Failing to understand the debt settlement process
One of the most significant mistakes people make is diving into debt settlement without fully understanding how it works. Unlike debt consolidation or credit counseling, debt settlement requires you to stop making payments on your debt for an extended period. This is designed to show creditors that you’re in financial distress and compel them to negotiate, but it comes with serious risks. Late payments will be reported to credit bureaus, further lowering your credit score and potentially triggering collection calls or lawsuits.
Many people also underestimate the importance of timing and strategy when approaching creditors. If you attempt to negotiate too soon — before demonstrating financial hardship — or without a clear plan, your creditors may be less likely to agree to a reduced payment. Others fail to research the terms or fees associated with hiring a debt relief company, some of which charge high costs for services that may not guarantee results.
To avoid this mistake: Educate yourself thoroughly about the debt settlement process and consider consulting a financial advisor or credit counselor before making any decisions. If you decide to work with a debt relief company, ensure it is reputable and transparent about its fees, timeline and success rates.
Find out what debt relief options are available to you here.
Overlooking tax implications of forgiven debt
Many borrowers are surprised to learn that forgiven credit card debt isn’t always “free money.” The IRS generally considers forgiven debt as taxable income, meaning that any amount your creditor writes off could result in an unexpected tax bill. For example, if you settle a $10,000 debt for $4,000, the remaining $6,000 may be subject to income tax, depending on your financial situation and local laws.
Failing to account for this can lead to financial headaches during tax season. Some people may even find themselves unable to pay the extra tax liability from their forgiven debt, creating a new debt issue on top of the one they just resolved. While certain exceptions apply — for example, if you’re insolvent at the time of settlement — these rules are not automatic, and you’ll need to file the appropriate IRS forms to claim the exemption in these cases.
To avoid this mistake: Consult a tax professional before finalizing any debt settlement. They can help you understand the potential tax consequences and advise on ways to minimize your liability. You should also keep detailed records of your financial hardship, as this documentation can be critical if you need to prove insolvency.
Neglecting to get the agreement in writing
Verbal agreements with your creditors to settle your debt for less than what you owe may seem reassuring in the moment, but they offer no legal protection if the creditor or collection agency goes back on their word. A common mistake is failing to insist on a written agreement that clearly outlines the terms of the settlement. Without this documentation, you risk continuing collection efforts, lawsuits or even the debt being sold to another collection agency.
This mistake is especially prevalent when dealing with third-party debt collectors, some of whom may use unethical tactics to secure payments. If you don’t have written proof of the settlement agreement, you could end up paying more than you originally negotiated — or worse, finding yourself back at square one.
To avoid this mistake: Always insist on receiving a written agreement before making any payment. The document should specify the agreed-upon settlement amount, the payment deadline and a confirmation that the remaining balance will be considered resolved. Once you receive the agreement, review it carefully to ensure it matches what was discussed, and save copies for your records.
The bottom line
Settling your overwhelming credit card debt for less than what you owe can be an effective way to regain financial stability, but the process requires careful planning and attention to detail. By avoiding these three costly mistakes — failing to understand the process, overlooking tax implications and neglecting to secure written agreements — you can navigate the debt settlement process more successfully. With a clear understanding of the big mistakes to avoid, along with a plan and the right resources, you can reduce your debt burden and move closer to a debt-free future.
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