Celine Dion’s journey: From stage to struggle in new documentary
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LOS ANGELES, June 19: Celine Dion’s life is portrayed with raw honesty in the new documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion,” directed by Irene Taylor. The film juxtaposes Dion’s powerful stage presence with her personal struggles, capturing her singing Ike and Tina Turner’s “River Deep – Mountain High” before cutting to a scene of her being strapped to a gurney by medics.
The documentary, which runs for 100 minutes, provides an unfiltered look at Dion’s life, often showing her without makeup, in casual attire, and dealing with her rare neurological disorder, stiff person syndrome (SPS). This condition has severely impacted her ability to sing and perform, leaving her frequently in tears from frustration and sadness.
Scheduled for theatrical release on June 21 and streaming on Prime Video from June 25, “I Am: Celine Dion” presents a heartfelt and genuine portrait of the global superstar. It highlights her family life, including footage of her late husband René Angélil, and their children. The film also features iconic performance clips, solidifying her legacy.
Director Irene Taylor emphasizes that the documentary was not made to generate sympathy but to authentically capture Dion’s experiences. A particularly poignant scene shows Dion experiencing severe muscle spasms after a successful recording session, illustrating the toll SPS takes on her.
Dion’s reputation as a kind and generous person shines through in the film. Despite her fame, she maintains close relationships with her inner circle, showing gratitude and kindness to those around her, including her beloved Labrador, Bear.
Taylor reflects on the pressure Dion faces as a public figure and the difficulty of maintaining normalcy in her life. Despite her health challenges, Dion’s passion for singing remains undiminished. The documentary reveals her heartbreak over canceled shows and her past reliance on Valium to manage her vocal spasms.
As Dion works to regain her singing ability, she remains determined to return to the stage. Her voice, she says, has been the “conductor of [her] life.” Her resolve is clear: “If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. But I won’t stop.”
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