Whitney Houston Documentary to Get U.S. Release

The Whitney Houston documentary Whitney will get a U.S. release now that Miramax and Roadside Attractions have acquired the distribution rights to it. The documentary will be directed by Oscar winner Kevin Macdonald, and be about the life and career of the late star.

Whitney’s estate has given the filmmakers permission to use archives of footage that has never even been seen before, and it will also feature interviews from people who worked with her and knew her personally. This is the first approved documentary by the estate since her death.

Director Kevin Macdonald says:

“The story that is never told about Whitney is just how brilliant she was as an artist; by many measures she had the greatest voice of the last 50 years. She changed the way pop music was sung — bringing it back full circle to its blues and gospel roots. She was also completely unique in being a pop star who sold in countries where black artists didn’t traditionally sell.”

Whitney will be the first documentary feature for Miramax under new ownership. It is being produced by Simon Chinn and Jonathan Chinn, as well as executive produced by Will Clarke, Andy Mayson, and Mike Runagall from Altitude Film Entertainment.