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PEOPLE & ARTS Friday 9 November 2018
Aretha Franklin doc 'Amazing Grace' to finally see the light

By JAKE COYLE agreed, ruling in 2016 that
NEW YORK (AP) — More the concert film didn't con-
than 46 years after it was stitute "fair use," prompting
shot, the Aretha Frank- a new round of negotia-
lin concert film "Amazing tions. Telluride also listed the
Grace" will finally be re- film in its 2016 lineup only to
leased, ending one of the pull it yet again. Last year,
most tortured and long-run- Telluride executive director
ning sagas in documentary Julie Huntsinger told Variety
film. that "(Franklin's) resolve for
The late gospel singer's es- it not being shown is so in-
tate and film producers tense, and I don't think any
said Monday that "Amaz- us really understand it all
ing Grace" will premiere the way."
Nov. 12 at the DOC NYC Franklin passed away in Au-
film festival with the full sup- gust. Pollack died in 2008.
port of Franklin's estate. The late singer's estate said
The film, largely shot by "Amazing Grace" was an
Sydney Pollack, captures important part of Franklin's
Franklin's performance at legacy.
the New Temple Missionary "'Amazing Grace' is the
Baptist Church in Los Ange- heart and soul of Aretha
les' Watts neighborhood in Franklin," Sabrina Owens,
January 1972. Franklin's niece, said Mon-
The music from the two per- day. "This film is authentic
formances was released as and is my aunt at her core.
a landmark double live al- In this March 13, 1972 file photo, Aretha Franklin holds her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and She was a daughter of the
bum in 1972. But Pollack's Blue performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," in New York. church, she loved gospel
footage proved virtually Associated Press music, and she always in-
impossible to edit because corporated some form of
the filmmaker failed to sync thralled by every moment the film without her per- junction against its release. sacred music in her con-
the sound. After acquiring of the film as her genius, mission. "Amazing Grace" They argued the film was certs." An Oscar-qualifying
the film's rights from Pollack her devotion to God and nearly saw the light of day "the functional equiva- release of "Amazing Grace"
in 2007, producer Alan El- her spirit are present in ev- in 2015, but it was yanked lent of replaying an entire is planned for this fall, with
liott brought in a team to ery frame," Elliot said in a at the last minute from the Aretha Franklin concert," a larger rollout in theaters
construct the film, which statement. Telluride and Toronto film and couldn't be screened likely coming next year.
Elliott calls "a labor of love." Franklin first sued Elliott in festivals after Franklin's at- without her consent. The film doesn't yet have
"Aretha's fans will be en- 2011 for planning to release torneys obtained an in- A Colorado court largely distribution.q

Author Liane Moriarty serves up laughs, thrills, surprises

By ROB MERRILL corporate exec turned soon as the strangers can solid belly on his lap as if
"Nine Perfect Strangers" health and wellness zealot. talk, they find themselves it were a baby that had
(Flatiron Books), by Liane She needs to be beautiful, with a lot to talk about. been handed to him with-
Moriarty but severe. Driven and but- Does Masha really have out his consent." Or Jes-
Life is good for Liane Mo- toned-up, but also a little their best interests at heart? sica, a young woman not
riarty. The "Big Little Lies" unhinged. Russian, or East- And most important, what quite comfortable with her
novelist who partnered ern European. Milla Jovov- the heck is happening to cosmetic enhancements:
with actress Nicole Kidman ich, maybe? them during the retreat's "(She) didn't sashay as she
to turn that book into a hit Luckily, before the series final "emotional-release ex- deserved; rather she scur-
HBO series, sold the rights comes to a screen near ercise?" ried, her shoulders hunched
to her new novel, "Nine Per- you, you can spend a few Moriarty manages to keep as though she were some-
fect Strangers," to her Aus- hours with the book. It's a the tone mostly light, de- where out of bounds and
tralian friend before the rest quick read, populated by spite creating characters trying to escape notice."
of us could even read it. the title characters who with real issues. From a Readers learn much more
So let's help them out and sign up for a retreat at family unable to come to about each of the nine as
do some casting. Kidman, Tranquillum House, a resort terms with the suicide of the novel speeds toward its
with a little extra padding in Sydney that promises their son and brother to a This cover image released climax. You root for them all
and lots of red lipstick, can personal transformation in divorce lawyer with daddy by Flatiron Books shows "Nine and get the impression that
Perfect Strangers," by Liane
star as Frances Welty, the just 10 days. The first half issues, all nine characters Moriarty. Moriarty does too, so much
romance novelist with a of the 450-page novel is are adequately developed Associated Press so that she has a hard time
broken heart who is the a little slow, but once the and feel genuine by book's saying goodbye, writing
emotional center of "Nine nine guests complete their end. Moriarty has fun flesh- black leggings, the stan- a series of final chapters
Perfect Strangers." Eight five-day "noble silence," ing them out through the dard outfit for an average- updating readers weeks,
more actors with name the pace accelerates and eyes of Frances: Carmela, sized woman who starts a months and even years lat-
recognition will join the the story moves from a se- a mother of four in her mid- new exercise program and er about what happened
project once she's officially ries of character perspec- to late thirties, "wearing an thinks her perfectly normal to them after the events at
onboard. The key casting tives (each chapter title oversized brand-new-look- body should be hidden." Tranquillum House. It's an
decision will be the an- is a character's name) to ing white t-shirt that hung Tony, a retired Aussie Rules ending fit for a book des-
tagonist, Masha, a former a light-hearted thriller. As almost to her knees over footballer, "cradling his big tined to be a TV series.q