Amazon Acquires Celine Dion Documentary
By Movieguide® Contributor
A movie documenting Celine Dion’s struggle with Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS), titled I AM: CELINE DION, has been acquired by Amazon MGM.
“From visiting her couture touring wardrobe and personal effects to spending time in the recording studio, the documentary captures a global megastar’s never-before-seen private life. An emotional, energetic, and poetic love letter to music, I AM: CELINE DION captures more than a year of filming as the legendary singer navigates her journey toward living an open and authentic life amidst illness,” a summary of the documentary reads.
“This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not let it define me,” Dion said. “As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans. During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life to help others who share this diagnosis.”
Dion shared her diagnosis of SPS in December 2022, lamenting the cancelation of her world tour due to the disease’s impact on her ability to sing and function. Though she has since worked tirelessly to overcome SPS, there is little understanding of how the disease works and how to treat it, leaving her still unable to return to the stage.
“She works so hard, but she doesn’t have control of her muscles,” Dion’s sister, Claudette, told 7Jours last December. “What pains me is that she has always been disciplined. She always worked hard. Mom always told her, ‘You’re going to do this right.”
“It’s certain that, in our dreams and in hers, the idea is to return to the stage,” Claudette continued. “In which state? I do not know. The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is a muscle. This is what comes to get me.”
Dion hopes that I AM: CELINE DION will “raise awareness of this little-known condition.”
“Celine Dion is a global megastar with a career defined not only by her extraordinary work ethic and passion, but by her dedication to her fans,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios. “This documentary is a raw, intimate portrayal of a pivotal time in her personal life and career, pulling back the curtain on her journey as she overcomes an unthinkable diagnosis.”
The documentary was directed by Irene Taylor and produced by Sony Music Vision, Sony Music Entertainment Canada and Vermillion Films, among others.
I AM: CELINE DION will stream on Amazon Prime Video; however, it does not yet have a set release date.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Dion shared her diagnosis in December 2022 after suffering from muscle spasms, including in her vocal cords, that debilitated her.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, “stiff person syndrome is a rare neurological disorder.” Symptoms of the progressive condition include “stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs,” as well as “muscle spasms that may be triggered by noises, touch or emotional distress.” The disease is extremely rare, making it difficult for the singer to find adequate treatment.
“Since it’s one case in millions, scientists didn’t do that much research, because it didn’t affect that many people,” Claudette explained.
The singer has yet to perform since being diagnosed, canceling a year’s worth of shows as she works to rebuild strength and find a way to perform again.
