Amazon MGM has released the emotional first trailer for the up-close behind-the-scenes look at the power of Canadian music icon Céline Dion as she battles Stiff Person Syndrome, also known as Moersch-Woltman Syndrome, in her new documentary, titled “I Am: Celine Dion”.
Directed by Academy Award nominee Irene Taylor, "I Am: Céline Dion" is not an expansive look at the life and times of the iconic pop singer, instead capturing a snapshot of a pivotal time in her career.
It spans about a year and chronicles Dion’s battle with Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that affects the brain and the spinal cord. For Dion, the illness halted her livelihood and ability to perform.
According to a press release from Amazon MGM Studios, the pic will also “highlight the music that has guided [Céline’s] life while also showcasing the resilience of the human spirit.
The trailer shows archival and behind-the-scenes footage throughout the iconic pop singer’s career, plus new interviews with the world-famous singer as she grapples with her diagnosis. At one point, Dion breaks down in tears as she recounts the recent health challenges she’s faced.
“It’s not hard to do a show, you know. It’s hard to cancel a show,” she says in the trailer. “I’m working hard everyday. But I have to admit, it’s been a struggle. I miss it so much. The people, I miss them. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. I won’t stop,".
“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 to let it define me,” Dion said in a statement announcing the film. “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.”
“I Am: Celine Dion” was produced by Sony Music Vision, Sony Music Entertainment Canada and Vermilion Films.
Taylor also produced the documentary with Stacy Lorts, as well as Julie Begey Seureau for Vermilion Films and Tom Mackay for Sony Music Vision.
Dave Platel and Denis Savage served as executive producers for Les Productions Feeling alongside Shane Carter for Sony Music Entertainment Canada and Krista Wegener for Sony Music Vision. The sale was negotiated by Sony Music Vision.
"I Am: Céline Dion" was first announced earlier this year and is slated to arrive nearly a year and a half after the singer revealed her diagnosis. Stiff Person Syndrome affects one in a million people.
Dion didn’t go public with her diagnosis until December 2022, as she announced she was postponing her world tour due to spasms that impacted the way she walked and sang.
“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all of the spasms that I’ve been having,” she said at the time on Instagram. “Unfortunately, the spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to.”
Dion stated she hopes the documentary will “raise awareness of this little-known condition.”
“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 to let it define me,” she said in a statement. “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, one of the most successful performers in pop music history, became famous as a teenager and has sold more than 250 million albums in her career.
Her chart-topping hits include the “Titanic” classic “My Heart Will Go On,” the Oscar-nominated “Beauty and the Beast” and romantic ballads such as “Because You Loved Me” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now.”
Although Dion canceled all her upcoming concerts due to her battle with the neurological disease, she was able to make her film acting debut in 2023’s "Love Again", which co-starred Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Sam Heughan.
For the film, Dion recorded five new songs, including the lead single “Love Again”. A few months later (Feb. 4), Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammys to present Taylor Swift with her fourth Album of the Year trophy.
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