Page 30 - ARUBA TODAY

A30 PEOPLE & ARTS
Tuesday 20 November 2018
Franklin's 'Amazing Grace' film finally get in theaters

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY waited backstage for the
Associated Press Queen of Soul to beckon
NEW YORK (AP) — Three him, and when she did, he
years ago, Alan Elliott was nervously talked about the
at the Telluride Film Festi- film project he had em-
val, prepared to unveil the barked on with Wexler.
holy grail of musical works: "And she said, 'Yes we'll be
A documentary on the talking.' And she walked
making of Aretha Franklin's away."He never spoke to
"Amazing Grace," which her after that, but kept in
had been lost to the ar- touch with her family over
chives for decades until El- the years, particularly Ow-
liott spent decades restor- ens, to give her updates
ing it so it could finally be on the project. After the
seen. Telluride injunction, Elliott
But then, through law- reached out again, and
yers, he got word that the Owens explained her aunt
Queen of Soul herself was was ill. That revelation rein-
trying to prevent the film forced Elliott's approach to
from being shown. Elliott's be patient; he had hoped
business partner, Tirrell Whit- a recovered Franklin would
tley, recalls the moment as be involved in the project
"deflating." In this July 27, 2010 photo, Aretha Franklin performs at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in at some point.
"It was disappointing .... Philadelphia. "There was no place to
You try to figure out what is Associated Press have her be a part of the
it that happened," Whittley saying, 'You know what? of her family. And while was written off by the mov- movie while she was not
said. God may not have meant there are parts of "Amazing ie studio. While the album doing well," he said. "We
But as determined as Elliott it right now. And that's OK. Grace" that are rough, from would go double platinum didn't know how sick she
and Whittley were to get Let's just be patient. When a few off-kilter camera an- and become one of best- was, and we didn't know
the documentary to the God says it's the right time gles to choppy editing, it's selling gospel album of all how long she had been ill."
world, they decided not to it will be the right time, not a profound, brilliant display time, the film was forgotten Owens invited Elliott to
fight Franklin. just for us but for her, for her of one of the world's great- — but not by everyone. Franklin's funeral, and a few
"It would just be the wrong family, for her legacy.'" est singers performing in her Jerry Wexler, the renowned weeks later, Elliott screened
and the wrong spirit," Whit- That time has arrived, element — the church. Atlantic Records producer the film for about 60 mem-
tley said, adding later: "In three months after Frank- "It's the most important who helmed many of Frank- bers of her family. The reac-
talking to Alan, it was re- lin's death from pancreatic document of American lin's greatest hits, told Elliott tion was immediate and ef-
ally around patience and cancer, with the blessing popular music ever filmed," — his protege, a then-25- fusive, and soon afterward,
said Elliott. "It's completely year-old music executive the family agreed to the
unique to any other expe- — about his hopes to one film's release.
rience that I've ever seen, day get the film to screen, "It was just interesting see-
and I've seen a lot of them." and it would become El- ing her at that age and her
The album "Amazing liott's "passion project" for voice was crystal clear, and
Grace" is one of the seminal two decades. she just sang her heart and
albums in not only Franklin's According to Sabrina Ow- soul out, and almost ev-
discography, but the can- ens, Franklin's niece, the ery song makes you cry or
on of American pop music. legend spoke about her makes you feel some kind
Franklin, then 29 and at the love for the film. But by of way just like all the rest
height of her fame, record- the time Elliott and Whit- of her music," Owens said.
ed the album in a Los An- tley were ready to release "So it was it was wonderful. I
geles church in 1972, with a it, Franklin wasn't ready for loved the performance."
full choir and an audience the world to see it. "Amazing Grace" does
that included Mick Jagger, "I honestly don't know what not yet have a distribu-
over two nights. Legendary her concerns were," said tor, but Whittley and Elliott
gospel star James Cleve- Owens. "We never really are showing it in New York
land directed the choir. discussed her business ... . I and Los Angeles to give it
Franklin's famed father, the do know for a fact that she a push during Oscar season
Rev. CL Franklin, spoke at did love the movie." in hopes it could garner a
the pulpit in praise of his Elliott suspects it may have nomination for best docu-
daughter while the revered been frustration at the poor mentary, and it has re-
gospel star Clara Ward sat handling of the project. ceived resplendent praise
in the front row. "I'm sure she was upset that since its release.
Warner Brothers Films con- Warner Films couldn't finish "This film, it's going to take
tracted Oscar-winning di- the movie in the way that you to church," said Frank-
rector Sydney Pollack to she was expecting it to be lin's nephew Vaughn Frank-
helm the movie, with hopes done and that was prob- lin." You know, I expect
it could be as popular as ably something that stuck to see people up on their
the concert film of Wood- with her," he said. feet, tears coming down
stock. But Pollack made Elliott spoke to Franklin and holding hands and
critical errors, including not about the project only laughing and joking ... the
utilizing a machine to sync once — and very briefly. whole gamut of emotions I
the audio to the visuals. Elliott went to a concert think is going to come out
With such problems, the film of Franklin's and afterward there."q