To coincide with the release of the biopic Back to Black, Son-Vidéo.com had the chance to interview the film’s director, Sam Taylor-Johnson.
An exclusive interview for Back to Black
In an interview with Nicolas Bellet for Son-Vidéo.com, Back to Black director Sam Taylor-Johnson goes behind the scenes of her latest film. She talks about why she chose to tell Amy Winehouse’s story, how she recreated Glastonbury Festival and her collaboration with cinematographer Polly Morgan.
From art to film
As well as being a filmmaker, Sam Taylor-Johnson is a talented visual artist and member of the influential Young British Artists collective. Taylor-Johnson began exhibiting her photographs and videos in the early 1990s, and held her first solo show in 1994. Her artistic talents were recognized, earning her the Best Young Artist prize at the Venice Biennale in 1997, as well as a nomination for the esteemed Turner Prize the following year.
The British artist made her directorial debut in 2009 with Nowhere Boy, a biopic retracing John Lennon’s youth. The feature film was nominated for four BAFTAs and won Best Director, Best Actress and Audience Award at the Saint-Jean-de-Luz International Festival of Young Directors.
- Read the article: The best music biopics to watch on repeat (part 2)
After directing two other feature films, Fifty Shades of Grey in 2015 and A Million Little Pieces in 2020, Sam Taylor-Johnson returns to musical biopics with Back to Black.
This poignant account offers an intimate look at the tumultuous life of singer Amy Winehouse, exploring her musical journey and passionate love affair with Blake Fielder-Civil, as well as the impact this relationship had on the creation of her legendary album. Back to Black opens in cinemas on April 24.
