Hollywood
Family calls Amy Winehouse documentary misleading
MUMBAI: Just a few weeks before the world premiere of the Amy Winehouse documentary titled Amy, the family of the late singer has spoken out strongly against it.
The Hollywood Reporter recently reported that the family wanted to “disassociate themselves” from Amy, directed by British filmmaker AsifKapadia, of the Sennafame, the 2010 documentary about late Formula 1 driver AyrtonSenna.
“They feel that the film is a missed opportunity to celebrate her life and talent and that it is both misleading and contains some basic untruths,” the family’s spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter, adding that there were allegations made in the doc against the family and management that were “unfounded and unbalanced.”
The late singer’s family further opines, “The narrative is formed by the testimony of a narrow sample of Amy’s associates, many of whom had nothing to do with her in the last years of her life. By misunderstanding the condition and its treatment, the film suggests, for instance, that not enough was done for Amy, that her family and management pushed her into performing or did not do enough to help her.”
Speaking to The Sun, Winehouse’s father Mitch Winehouse claimed that he “felt sick” when he first saw the film. “Amy would be furious. This is not what she would have wanted. I am painted as being an absent father during her last years. It gives the impression the family weren’t there,” he said.
Mitch Winehouse also claimed that the filmmakers “had a pretty good idea of the film they wanted to make from the off” and on Monday told BBC radio that he would look to “sue for damages” if the film cut screened at Cannes was shown to misrepresent him.
In response to the allegations, the filmmakers claimed they came on board with the “full backing of the Winehouse family” and approached the project with “total objectivity.”
“During the production process, we conducted in the region of 100 interviews with people that knew Amy Winehouse; friends, family, former partners and members of the music industry that worked with her,” they said. “The story that the film tells is a reflection of our findings from these interviews.”
Hollywood
Paramount seeks FCC nod for foreign-backed $110 billion WBD deal
Gulf funds back merger as foreign stake nears 50 per cent, control stays with Ellison
NEW YORK: Paramount Global has approached the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval for foreign investments tied to its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, marking another key step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
According to regulatory filings made public this week, the investment backing the deal includes major Gulf sovereign funds such as the Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and L’imad Holding Company. Together, foreign investors are expected to hold just under 50 per cent of Paramount’s equity once the transaction is complete.
Despite the sizeable international backing, Paramount has made it clear that voting control will remain with the family of chief executive David Ellison, ensuring the company stays firmly under US control as required by broadcasting rules.
A company spokesperson described the FCC filing as routine for transactions involving foreign capital and stressed that it does not impact the closing of the deal. Under US law, any significant foreign ownership in broadcast licence holders must undergo regulatory review.
The merger itself has already cleared a major hurdle, with Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approving the deal on 23 April. The transaction values the company at $31 per share, a 147 per cent premium to its earlier trading price, reflecting strong strategic intent behind the tie-up.
If completed, the combined entity will bring together a vast portfolio including Warner Bros. film studios, HBO Max, and networks such as CNN, TNT and Discovery Channel. The deal is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
However, scrutiny is intensifying. The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas seeking details on the merger’s potential impact on cinema competition, streaming services and content licensing. Reviews are also anticipated in international markets, including the United Kingdom.
There is also a financial safety net built into the agreement. If regulators ultimately block the deal, Paramount would face a $7 billion break-up fee. Additionally, the company has taken on $2.8 billion in obligations previously owed by Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix following an earlier terminated arrangement.
Paramount maintains that easing foreign ownership barriers will unlock fresh capital and strengthen its ability to compete in a rapidly evolving media landscape. For now, the spotlight remains on regulators, whose decision will determine whether this global media consolidation moves from script to screen.
