Spike Lee Unveiling Documentary On Michael Jacksons Bad Album At Venice Film Festival
Spike Lee Unveiling Documentary On Michael Jacksons Bad Album At Venice Film Festival
The documentary will focus on MJs career during the Bad era. It will contain tons of behind-the-scenes footage. Lee has said that the documentary will have footage that no one has ever seen. It will also feature interviews with people who had worked with MJ, including choreographers, musicians, engineers, songwriters, technicians and collaborators. In addition, the documentary will contain interviews with a number of celebrities who have either worked with MJ or were inspired by him in some way. Some of the celebrities who were interviewed for the documentary include Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Cee Lo Green, L.A. Reid, Martin Scorsese, Chris Brown and Sheryl Crow, who was a background singer on MJs Bad World Tour.
Lee had worked with MJ a few times and considered him a friend. The acclaimed filmmaker directed two music videos for MJs controversial song "They Dont Care About Us," which was released in 1996. The first video was shot in two locations in Brazil, a favela in Rio de Janeiro called Dona Marta and in Salvador da Bahia. The second video for the song was shot in a prison and contained video footage of references to human rights abuses.
Additionally, MJ recorded the song "On The Line" for Lees film Get on the Bus (1996), which is about the historic Million Man March. Lee also directed the official video for MJs posthumous single "This Is It."
Since MJs death in 2009, Lee has held an annual celebration in the pop icons honor. The tribute extravaganza is held each year in Brooklyns Prospect Park on MJs birthday (August 29) and is filled with dancing and wall-to-wall music from MJ, the Jacksons and the J5.
In a recent interview, Lee shared his thoughts about MJ and the upcoming documentary:
"I�m more than just a huge fan of Michael Jackson, and having the chance to actually know him and work with him, I deeply care about his legacy. With this BAD project I was able to uncover just what made this such a huge, important coming of age in his career and unearth compelling stories surrounding the making of the album, the long awaited follow-up to Thriller � the best selling album of all time � the short films and the tour that may have never seen the light of day.�
The Venice Film Festival will honor Lee with its "Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker 2012 Award" on August 31st. According to the festivals organizers, the award is given to "a personality who has brought great innovation to contemporary cinema." Lee is scheduled to debut his yet-to-be- titled documentary following the ceremony.
Heres a teaser from Spike Lees upcoming documentary on MJs Bad Album:
Related blog entry: Michael Jacksons Bad: Out of the Shadow of Thriller