British director to make Whitney Houston documentary

Kevin Macdonald will shoot the first film officially authorised by the singer’s estate since her death in a hotel bath in 2012.

Oscar-winning British director Kevin Macdonald is to make a documentary about the late singer Whitney Houston.

The film is the first to be endorsed by Houston’s estate since her death in 2012.

Macdonald and the producers have been given permission to tell the true story of Houston’s record-breaking career and troubled personal life.

The star sold more than 200 million albums worldwide and is still the only artist to chart seven consecutive US number ones.

But Houston battled drug addiction and other issues and was found drowned in a bath at a Los Angeles hotel, aged just 48.

Macdonald, who directed Marley, Touching The Void and One Day In September, will interview record label boss Clive Davis, who helped shoot Houston to stardom.

Macdonald is perhaps best known for directing the film The Last King Of Scotland which secured Forest Whitaker a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

In a statement on Houston’s official website, Macdonald said: “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 black pop star who transcended her race globally with her work sold in countries where black artists don’t sell.”

He said the team will have access to “never-before-seen footage” which goes back to Houston’s time singing in her church gospel choir to the day of her death.

“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,” he said.

“I want to reveal a woman that even her most die-hard fans never knew; and a woman those new to her life and music will never forget.” SkyNews.com