Title: Marisa Abela Transforms into Amy Winehouse for “Back to Black” Biopic
May 15, 2024 [Emily Zemler]
Los Angeles— In preparation to portray Amy Winehouse in the biopic "Back to Black," actor Marisa Abela initially faced skepticism from director Sam Taylor-Johnson. Abela, known for her role in HBO's "Industry," approached her first meeting for the role in 2022 without adopting any elements of Winehouse’s iconic image, which Taylor-Johnson initially saw as too subtle for the part.
However, Abela's dedication to capturing Winehouse's essence shone through. Abela, despite lacking formal musical training, decided early on to embrace Winehouse's unique persona by singing "Fly Me to the Moon" during her audition. Her performance led the filmmaking team, including music producer Giles Martin and music supervisor Iain Cooke, to decide against using Winehouse's actual vocals and opt for Abela’s rendition instead.
To prepare for the role, Abela underwent intensive vocal training with Anne-Marie Speed and learned how to play the guitar. The production commenced in early 2023, spanning 45 days across various locations in London, including well-known Camden venues. Abela's portrayal required an emotional and physical transformation, guided by a nutritionist and trainer to mirror Winehouse’s own tumultuous life stages.
"Back to Black," scripted by Matt Greenhalgh, focuses on key aspects of Winehouse’s life, including her relationships with her father Mitch, played by Eddie Marsan, her grandmother Cynthia, portrayed by Lesley Manville, and her tumultuous romance with Blake Fielder-Civil, portrayed by Jack O’Connell. The film aims to evoke Winehouse’s spirit rather than just mimicking her, integrating Abela's own interpretation of Winehouse’s emotional and psychological depth into the narrative.
Abela’s previous work includes roles in "Rogue Agent" and "She Is Love," with her recent transition to playing Amy Winehouse marking a significant milestone in her career. Following "Back to Black," she returned to filming "Industry" and is slated to appear in the upcoming thriller “Black Bag” directed by Steven Soderbergh.
"Back to Black" seeks to present an authentic and heartfelt portrayal of Amy Winehouse, allowing audiences to relive the emotional depths of her music and life.