Sky Documentaries UK, Optomen and All3Media Intl. have revealed the trailer (above and below) for original feature documentary “Becoming Madonna,” which premieres on Dec. 30 on pay TV platform Sky in the U.K.
“Becoming Madonna” is an immersive and archive built film around recently uncovered audio tapes in which a young Madonna reflects on her life and career. The film shows the star as “we’ve never seen her before,” according to a statement, with rare footage, unseen photos and intimate recordings with those close to her during her rise to fame, some of whom have never spoken in a documentary before.
When Madonna arrived in New York City from Michigan with dreams of becoming a professional dancer, it was the start of an epic journey. The film charts the period 1978-1992 as Madonna transformed herself from insecure 19-year-old outsider to the most controversial pop star in the world, with the publication of her erotic photography book “Sex.”
These were the years “during which Madonna came of age as a person and an uncompromising artist,” the statement explained. “Through her conflicts with the conservative establishment in the 80s and 90s, the film evokes a time where traditional views on sexuality and gender roles were being challenged and Madonna was at the vanguard.”
Previously unseen archive sheds new light on the personal tragedies that fuelled Madonna’s drive, re-examining the early death of her mother and those of her dance teacher Christopher Flynn and close friend Martin Burgoyne who died during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. “Through their stories, we see Madonna in a new light: smarter, more radical and more vulnerable than anyone at the time gave her credit for,” the statement concluded.
“Becoming Madonna” is produced by Optomen in association with All3Media Intl., and was commissioned for Sky Documentaries by Poppy Dixon, director of documentaries and factual at Sky. Executive producers for Sky are Tom Barry, Bruce Fletcher and Gilberte Phanor. Michael Ogden serves as director. Executive producers for Optomen are Eliana Capitani, Tina Flintoff and Nick Hornby.
All3Media Intl. is looking after international sales for the title. The distributor will now be closing licenses for the documentary, which has been attracting global interest since its recent announcement.
Rachel Job, senior VP unscripted at All3Media Intl., said: “We’re thrilled to reveal the first trailer for Optomen’s powerful, absorbing insight into Madonna’s astonishing career, life and talent. With Sky UK’s commissioning team as creative partner, the show has delivered an utterly compelling view of the early years of someone who has become a cultural icon across the world.”
