BRINGING WHITNEY BACK TO LIFE
WITH Bobbi Kristina Brown making the news recently, and it being another anniversary of her mother Whitney Houston’s death, it is the perfect time to catch the Whitney biopic.
Given that Houston was one of the biggest stars of her time, it was a big deal when director Angela Bassett managed to pull off the biographical project. There was drama even before it was made and, as with most of these types of projects, many people have their own ideas on how the story should be told. What we forget is that we all view people differently and a person’s life can never be fully encapsulated into a twohour film. While there are many chapters to Whitney that Bassett could have focused on, she chose to zoom in on her relationship with Bobby Brown.
“Who we love and how we do so, says a great deal about who we are and what we need. Being scrutinised for your choice can’t be an easy feat, especially as one attempts to navigate the mountainous demands of great celebrity,” said Basset, justifying why she chose that approach to the project.
We all know that Bassett had a good relationship with the late multiple Grammy Award winner that was strong both on and off the screen. They starred in the much- loved ’90s chick flick, Waiting To
Exhale, which had a hit song come off its soundtrack. This relationship played its part in how Bassett treated the Houston biopic.
“Yes, it was emotional. I think I express a universal sentiment that she was taken too soon and too unexpectedly. I wanted to tell her story, faults and all, in a way that honours her womanhood and humanity,” said Bassett.
While it is a sad story in some parts, the story of Whitney Houston had its highlights and so was working on a film about her.
“The highlight of this project was mining the best of everyone’s individual talent in front and behind the camera to bring a quality piece to a waiting audience of admirers, fans and viewers,” she said.
That said, she also spoke about the hurdles she faced while working on the film.
“Every day had its unique challenges, for sure. But getting the musical score just right was certainly one. We were at one point working with a songwriter in Sweden by Skype with a 12-hour time difference. Our 3pm was his midnight hour. Or, attempting to make 15 extras look and feel like hundreds or 150 like thousands. Also, once we figured out that I’m Every Womanwould in essence represent being on a world tour, we shot it over and over, changing costumes and wigs for everyone. Fortunately, it’s a song you never grow tired of hearing and Deborah Cox’s vocals were everything I hoped and dreamt they would be… perfection,” the director said.
This hard work paid off and Bassett feels it was worth every minute because in the end all the effort produced a product that she is very proud of.
“I am extremely proud of the musical numbers because Whitney is defined by her impeccable vocal chops. If we did not get that right then what would have been the point?
“I’m also proud that I was able to film her fragility, sensuality and foibles in an honest, yet tasteful manner. And beyond a doubt, that I was able to address questions that the public has guessed at and speculated on for decades about the influence of Bobby Brown on her life choices,” said the director.
“I think South African audiences will love the movie because of their love for Whitney. She is their daughter and sister. As am I. As are all the beautiful faces playing across the screen. We are of each other,” she concluded.