The Ongoing Dispute Over the Prince Documentary
The Prince estate and Academy Award-winning director Ezra Edelman are at odds over a yet-to-be-released documentary about the legendary musician. The film, which has been in production for over five years, promises to provide an intimate look at Prince’s life and career. However, the Prince estate, which changed ownership during the film’s production, is reportedly disappointed with the way the late musician is portrayed.
The Film’s Content and Reception
According to a recent article in the New York Times Magazine, the documentary chronicles Prince’s incredible talent, including his songwriting, virtuoso musicianship, and prolific output. However, the film also delves into some of the unflattering aspects of his personality, including his demanding nature and occasionally violent temper. Writer Sasha Weiss praised the film, describing it as "a cursed masterpiece that the public may never be allowed to see."
The Prince Estate’s Objections
The Prince estate has been critical of the documentary’s tone, with L. Londell McMillan, Prince’s longtime lawyer, being particularly opposed to the film. After a cut of the film was shown to the Prince estate for a factual review, McMillan responded with 17 pages of notes demanding changes. Edelman, wanting to reach a compromise, made some adjustments. However, McMillan was unwilling to budge on his demands, claiming the documentary "would do generational harm to Prince."
Prince’s Lawyer Defends His Stance
With the renewed interest in the project sparked by the New York Times article, McMillan has defended his position. In a series of tweets, he expressed his concerns about the documentary’s portrayal of Prince, stating that he would not trust someone who did not like him to make a major film about his life. McMillan also accused Edelman of mixing facts with falsehoods and omitting important details.
The Controversy Surrounding McMillan
McMillan has been described as a "polarizing figure" in the music industry, with some people accusing him of being controlling and bullying. Several people spoken to by Weiss believe that McMillan’s objections to the documentary come down to a fear that it will get Prince "canceled" and devalue the estate’s bottom line.
Conclusion
The ongoing dispute over the Prince documentary highlights the complexities of bringing a project about a larger-than-life figure to fruition. While the documentary promises to provide a fascinating look at Prince’s life and career, the Prince estate’s objections raise questions about the film’s tone and accuracy. As the project continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the documentary will be released and what changes may be made to address the Prince estate’s concerns.
FAQs
Q: What is the status of the Prince documentary?
A: The documentary has been in production for over five years and is currently stalled due to disagreements between the Prince estate and director Ezra Edelman.
Q: What is the controversy surrounding the documentary?
A: The Prince estate is disappointed with the way Prince is portrayed in the documentary, which includes some unflattering aspects of his personality.
Q: What is L. Londell McMillan’s role in the controversy?
A: McMillan, Prince’s longtime lawyer, has been critical of the documentary’s tone and has demanded changes to the film.
Q: What is the future of the documentary?
A: It is unclear whether the documentary will be released in its current form or if changes will be made to address the Prince estate’s concerns.
Q: Why is the documentary so important to the Prince estate?
A: The documentary has the potential to be a major commercial success and could impact the value of the Prince estate.
