"I Am: Celine Dion" documentary - Official Topic

[Nmj]

Most celebs are making their way to the Grammys this weekend and are posting videos and pics on their socials… come on Céline

 

Is your birdie singing or has your birdie dried up?!

[LukeD]

Most celebs are making their way to the Grammys this weekend and are posting videos and pics on their socials… come on Céline

Most celebs do not have SPS, ooops!

[Nmj]

Most celebs do not have SPS, ooops!

 

I agree with you but also see Shamrocks point… I’m not expecting anything, I don’t think she’ll attend either…

However, if she was able to attend a loud Katy Perry concert, I’m sure had SHE wanted she could attend the Grammys, especially if she’s having a good stretch in her illness. However, I’m in the camp like what CelineDivo said, I don’t think she’ll attend because there’s simply no point right now…. Why show up if isn’t ready to speak on her condition yet when we know there’s a documentary in the pipeline that would give her lots of press opportunities to not only speak but promote her project. Right now doesn’t make sense, I could see her at Weekends with Adele before this.

[scielle]

Yeah, red carpet sound bite interviews are not the right vehicle. Plus with everyone else there this year, she’d get drowned out (and probably physically overwhelmed).

 

I guess the examples to look at for the type of promo we can expect are the Pink documentary and the upcoming J-Lo film. Amazon is the distributor behind both. Of course, both those women are physically capable of actually participating in promo.

 

And yet here we are, all her big albums had some major anniversaries the past years and all we get is upgraded videos.

Sometimes the combo Sony and Celine doesn't seem to work.

But who knows what they planning after this.

 

Madonna and Mariah had some major re-releases, let's hope they got something similar in store for us and Celine.

 

Well Sony gave the world Love Again and now this doc. Much more interesting than box sets or reissues. Would you spend money on that? I personally wouldn’t, nor do I care about album anniversaries. So to me, this is a much more interesting strategy (and generally more effective from a business perspective, in terms of improving catalog consumption, from what I’ve seen from some of our own artists). But if this doc plays in a theatre somewhere I’ll certainly buy a ticket, and will re-up my cancelled Amazon Prime to watch it. 🤷‍♀️

 

I guess it comes down to whether you're more interested in Celine as a cultural figure or in her music. And as fans we all fall somewhere else along that spectrum.

 

 

Edited February 2, 2024 at 10:06 PM by scielle

[Zofia]

"Having good and bad days" doesn't mean being able to control them and choose the dates. If Céline, having an insufficiently good day, had not come to a field hockey game or a Katy Perry concert, no one would have noticed. The Grammys are an occasion of a different stature. Besides, it's a celebration of the award nominees. To focus media attention on oneself, to create a sensation when one's own return is still uncertain? That's probably not the best opportunity.

 

I guess it comes down to whether you're more interested in Celine as a cultural figure or in her music. And as fans we all fall somewhere else along that spectrum.

 

Well, I myself am moved quite far towards one end of the spectrum, because I don't listen to pop music (but I would swim across the Atlantic Ocean to see her on stage again). Whether someone like that still falls within the definition of a fan, I don't know. But perhaps the fact that Céline attracts and gathers also such people around her proves just what her format is?

[LukeD]

"Having good and bad days" doesn't mean being able to control them and choose the dates. If Céline, having an insufficiently good day, had not come to a field hockey game or a Katy Perry concert, no one would have noticed. The Grammys are an occasion of a different stature.

My thoughts exactly!

[Squall]

I really don't think this documentary is going to get much, if any, promo. Irene might do some small interview somewhere. But it's not like she's going to be on the Tonight Show or anything. At most, I think there will be mentions on social media here and there. I doubt there will even be a trailer.

 

Some people are thinking of this as a big blockbuster. It's just a documentary on Amazon. How often do you hear anything about documentaries on Amazon?

[Nmj]

I really don't think this documentary is going to get much, if any, promo. Irene might do some small interview somewhere. But it's not like she's going to be on the Tonight Show or anything. At most, I think there will be mentions on social media here and there. I doubt there will even be a trailer.

 

Some people are thinking of this as a big blockbuster. It's just a documentary on Amazon. How often do you hear anything about documentaries on Amazon?

 

Quite often, are you familiar with Amazon prime content? The even air advertising commercial for their stuff on basic cable.

[scielle]

Irene might do some small interview somewhere. But it's not like she's going to be on the Tonight Show or anything.

 

I’d much rather she did a substantive interview on, say, NPR than the Tonight Show! She’s done so for her other films, I don’t see why she wouldn’t for what is certainly her most high-profile one to date. And I personally expect that moreso than promo from Céline herself. Whatever she has to say, she’s gonna say in the movie, I would think.

Though Michael J. Fox did quite a bit of promo for his Still doc on Apple TV. So who knows. It really depends where Céline’s at, and at this point we simply don’t know.

[scielle]

Claudette was in a Québécois TV show last night: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/zenith/site

Honestly surprised the QC press hasn’t gotten anything out of her yet on this week’s announcement. Perhaps she found out from the press like the rest of us… 🤭

 

Incidentally, Barnev performed on the same show the week prior. Seems he’s really been using this time to try and launch some kind of a solo career.

Edited February 3, 2024 at 01:43 AM by scielle

[Nmj]

Claudette was in a Québécois TV show last night: https://ici.radio-canada.ca/tele/zenith/site

Honestly surprised the QC press hasn’t gotten anything out of her yet on this week’s announcement. Perhaps she found out from the press like the rest of us… 🤭

 

Incidentally, Barnev performed on the same show the week prior. Seems he’s really been using this time to try and launch some kind of a solo career.

 

I actually Instagram messaged Barnev about a week ago now ( I have no shame I know) lol

 

Asking him if he’s just a solo artist now or does he still work for Celine… he said he will “continue with Celine as well”… that could just be the politically correct answer, or that could be him possibly knowing a “tentative” plan, time will tell I guess.

[Chantemoi]

Most celebs are making their way to the Grammys this weekend and are posting videos and pics on their socials… come on Céline

 

Attending a concert or a hockey game sounds like a fun night out. But the idea of getting dressed to the nines to face an onslaught of questions about one’s health —not just from reporters, but other celebrities— sounds like a nightmare to me! Especially if it gives the press fuel to run amok with wild speculation about her condition.

[blueangel92]

I think the most anticipated inquiry with this document is "Does the release somehow include "Play Me Like a Love Song?"

[Zofia]

 

Some people are thinking of this as a big blockbuster. It's just a documentary on Amazon. How often do you hear anything about documentaries on Amazon?

 

 

You may not hear about documentaries on Amazon very often, but have you checked how any information about Céline spreads in the world media? I do it quite regularly, and I'm amazed, because even a two-sentence statement by Claudette about her health circulates all over the world, from the Guardian and NYT to magazines in languages I didn't know existed. In Quebec, the journalists themselves were surprised that probably never before had any material from, for example, "7 Jours" been so massively and globally spread. Moreover, another example, according to data from Google last year in South Africa, "The most searched general question this year concerned Celine Dion's well-being." https://www.sapeople.com/fab-south-african-stuff/sa-top-google-searches-in-2023/

 

For someone who hasn't given an interview or stood on stage for several years now, the interest in her is enormous; it's some kind of phenomenon.

[Shamrock_1982]

 

 

Attending a concert or a hockey game sounds like a fun night out. But the idea of getting dressed to the nines to face an onslaught of questions about one’s health —not just from reporters, but other celebrities— sounds like a nightmare to me! Especially if it gives the press fuel to run amok with wild speculation about her condition.

 

All part and parcel of being a celeb and she’s more than aware of that by now

[Shamrock_1982]

Most celebs do not have SPS, ooops!

 

If she can be on her feet in heels most of the night dancing away to a concert, I think she can walk a red carpet!

[jmiracle]

I’m an entertainment and music journalist. I’ve reached out to prime video and they told me that for the time being, Celine does not plan to give any interview for the documentary. Still hoping that it will change.

[comingback]

I’m an entertainment and music journalist. I’ve reached out to prime video and they told me that for the time being, Celine does not plan to give any interview for the documentary. Still hoping that it will change.

 

Really? No big interview with Oprah 😒.

[jmiracle]

 

 

Really? No big interview with Oprah 😒.

 

I’m French so they probably answered only for France.

[Shamrock_1982]

I’m an entertainment and music journalist. I’ve reached out to prime video and they told me that for the time being, Celine does not plan to give any interview for the documentary. Still hoping that it will change.

 

Edit: Skips the red carpet and attends to present an award lol. ( I can dream )

[idroveallnight]

Well that’s a shame. It will peak the first week and then get buried like Love Again with all the other unwatched content.

[incognito]

 

 

You may not hear about documentaries on Amazon very often, but have you checked how any information about Céline spreads in the world media? I do it quite regularly, and I'm amazed, because even a two-sentence statement by Claudette about her health circulates all over the world, from the Guardian and NYT to magazines in languages I didn't know existed. In Quebec, the journalists themselves were surprised that probably never before had any material from, for example, "7 Jours" been so massively and globally spread. Moreover, another example, according to data from Google last year in South Africa, "The most searched general question this year concerned Celine Dion's well-being." https://www.sapeople.com/fab-south-african-stuff/sa-top-google-searches-in-2023/

 

For someone who hasn't given an interview or stood on stage for several years now, the interest in her is enormous; it's some kind of phenomenon.

 

Exactly. Within a couple of hours of the announcement of this documentary media the world over had articles about it. Even if the documentary dropped with zero promotion from word of mouth it would likely be must-watch for many people.

 

She’s a rare breed of celebrity who is thought of fondly by many different kinds of people internationally. A lot of people are rooting for her to be able to continue what she loves to do in some capacity.

 

I think interviews before the documentary is out could take away from the impact and almost be a bit tacky. Just my opinion.

[Chantemoi]

 

 

If she can be on her feet in heels most of the night dancing away to a concert, I think she can walk a red carpet!

 

That’s an absolutely delusional statement

[sarit_celine]

I wonder how recent footages will be.

And wondering as well if Javito still not writing on this board?

[Nmj]

I’m an entertainment and music journalist. I’ve reached out to prime video and they told me that for the time being, Celine does not plan to give any interview for the documentary. Still hoping that it will change.

 

I think if nothings scheduled yet they won’t announce promo… simply no news because the machine isn’t running yet most probably.

 

I spoke with someone involved with the project on instagram and asked when the documentary would be released….and he said he wasn’t a aware but he thinks “ it’ll most likely go to the film festivals this season first” that tells me we are probably months out from a the release, maybe even fall or winter of this year… I doubt any promo for Celine, Irene or anyone else is planned and edged in stone yet. I’m not sure what their angle was with announcing it when they did, but it seems we could be in a for a little wait yet. I would almost bet my bottom dollar on at least one sit down in depth interview with Celine when this is released. Celine knows how this works and she knows when to speak and when not.

[stevo]

Or we could all watch and hopefully enjoy the documentary and not worry or wonder about what promo she will do!- also, it’s Irene’s creation, not Céline’s. Presumably, Celine entrusts her to give the most reflective account of what’s been going on, but Celine won’t be winning any awards if it’s a blockbuster- Irene will.

 

Pppps it won’t be a blockbuster, it’s just a documentary released on Amazon.

Edited February 3, 2024 at 03:46 PM by stevo

[scielle]

Yeah, I fully expect this to premiere at one of the major festivals. I had mentioned previously my money's on Cannes (May) or TIFF (Sept) because those would make the most sense for a Celine project, but it could potentially be HotDocs as well. (That's the biggest doc festival in North America, also held in Toronto, in April/ May).

 

Sony Music Vision's latest doc (about Lil Nas X) just premiered at Sundance. That one's being distributed by HBO.

Irene's last doc about trees premiered at Telluride (which makes sense given the subject matter), also HBO.

 

I do wonder about the decision to put out that press release this week. Normally when a distributor buys a film it just shows up in industry press - Variety, Deadline or THR will have a short story along the lines of "Distributor ABC picks up film XYZ" and that's it. The fact that we got a full-on press release at this stage suggests to me that they do intend to promote this.

As mentioned by others above, Celine resonates globally. Amazon knows that. And while Amazon Prime is full of glut and maybe doesn't have the critical clout some other streaming platforms do, it does have wider global reach than any other. (I wonder how much they paid for this Celine doc, btw...)

 

I don't know what kind of promo Amazon has done historically for docs but they sure can promote stuff if they want to. Just look at that Priyanka Chopra project, Citadel, which came out just before Love Again. It was everywhere. Massive billboards in Times Square, posters all over the subway system, giant LA premiere. Of course, that was one of Amazon's most expensive productions to date, and a very different piece of content from what this is, but point is yes, they have a well-oiled promotion machine. Question is to what extent they'd willing to use it for a celebrity doc.

Edited February 3, 2024 at 04:04 PM by scielle

[Nmj]

Yeah, I fully expect this to premiere at one of the major festivals. I had mentioned previously my money's on Cannes (May) or TIFF (Sept) because those would make the most sense for a Celine project, but it could potentially be HotDocs as well. (That's the biggest doc festival in North America, also held in Toronto, in April/ May).

 

Sony Music Vision's latest doc (about Lil Nas X) just premiered at Sundance. That one's being distributed by HBO.

Irene's last doc about trees premiered at Telluride (which makes sense given the subject matter), also HBO.

 

I do wonder about the decision to put out that press release this week. Normally when a distributor buys a film it just shows up in industry press - Variety, Deadline or THR will have a short story along the lines of "Distributor ABC picks up film XYZ" and that's it. The fact that we got a full-on press release at this stage suggests to me that they do intend to promote this.

As mentioned by others above, Celine resonates globally. Amazon knows that. And while Amazon Prime is full of glut and maybe doesn't have the critical clout some other streaming platforms do, it does have wider global reach than any other. (I wonder how much they paid for this Celine doc, btw...)

 

I don't know what kind of promo Amazon has done historically for docs but they sure can promote stuff if they want to. Just look at that Priyanka Chopra project, Citadel, which came out just before Love Again. It was everywhere. Massive billboards in Times Square, posters all over the subway system, giant LA premiere. Of course, that was one of Amazon's most expensive productions to date, and a very different piece of content from what this is, but point is yes, they have a well-oiled promotion machine. Question is to what extent they'd willing to use it for a celebrity doc.

 

It seems like it was recently shopped to Amazon… I think Amazon may have more intention to promote this now that the documentary seems to have taken the SPS route rather than had it just been a career reflection documentary. I think they know how valuable this story is, it’s not only a great project presumably… but seems to the “exclusive” on her health all tied into one. I’m sure everyone would have liked the exclusive.

[scielle]

Pppps it won’t be a blockbuster, it’s just a documentary released on Amazon.

No, it won’t. But Free Solo was just a documentary for National Geographic and still did $30m at the box office (and I’ve personally seen it at least 5 times…)

Some stories just resonate.

Yes, few docs break out at such a commercial level, and even fewer now, with a glut of celebrity/ biography-type projects out there at the moment (not to mention all the true crime stuff).

But this will find an audience and I think Amazon knows there’s a lot of curiosity about her out there and will lean into that.

[CelinesDIVO5]

 

 

That’s an absolutely delusional statement

 

This is such a loaded observation lol.