Despite illness, Céline Dion refuses to give up. In the documentary’s skin-deep trailer I Am: Celine Dion, launched with great fanfare Thursday morning, the singer promises to continue moving forward, at all costs. “If I can’t run, I’ll walk.” If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl. But I won’t stop,” she says, her voice cracking with emotion.
The feature film from Amazon MGM Studios, which will be released on Prime Video on June 25, relates the Quebec artist’s fight against stiff person syndrome (PRS), a rare and debilitating disease that affects the central nervous system, leading to stiffness of the muscles and causes painful muscle spasms.
Lasting two minutes, the trailer shows the 56-year-old performer taking medication and crying bitterly in front of the camera. “I work every day, but I have to admit it is difficult. »
“The people… I miss them,” she says, visibly moved.
According to a previous press release published by Prime Video, the film directed by Irene Taylor (The Final Inch, Hear and Now) “will highlight the music that guides Céline” and show her resilience. We speak of a “love letter” to the admirers of the interpreter of my heart Will Go On.
“I need my instrument”
The trailer begins by showing an archive video that they know well: that of Céline Dion in the studio, during the recording of the album Let’s Talk About Lovein 1998. The power with which the young woman screams into the microphone is astounding.
This is followed by images of Celine Dion performing in front of huge crowds, as well as behind the scenes, with her boys. All to the cheerful tune ofI’m alivehis 2002 hit.
Then everything stops. Sounds of ambulance sirens. Celine Dion announces that she has been diagnosed with a “very rare neurological disease” which prevents her from returning to the stage. While we hear It’s All Coming Back to Me Now, the camera follows the international star everywhere, notably in the enormous warehouse which contains his clothes and, above all, his shoes. “A girl who likes shoes, she makes sure they fit her. Size 6 to 10, no problem. Bring some! “, she says.
Everything indicates thatI Am: Celine Dion (in French, I am: Celine Dion) will show the Queen of Las Vegas unvarnished, discussing freely and candidly the challenges she must overcome on a daily basis. “My voice is the conductor of my life. […] I need my instrument. »
“It’s not hard to put on a show; it’s hard to cancel a show,” she emphasizes a few seconds later, in reference to the numerous performances that she has been forced to postpone – and then cancel – due to the health problems she knows.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY PRIME VIDEO
The official poster of the documentary I Am: Celine Dion
First signs in 2008
In an article from French Vogue posted online Thursday, Celine Dion explains that she chose the documentary avenue to update her fans on everything she is going through, “so that they have access to the truth”. She talks in particular about pilates and vocal exercises, but also about “complete rehabilitation, physical and vocal, emotional and spiritual”.
In this interview, we also learn that Céline Dion experienced the first symptoms of PRS in 2008. In the middle of a world tour, she suddenly struggled to control her voice. “I managed to get very high, but then she would go into sort of spasms. I did what you’re supposed to do in these cases: I went to see an ENT,” she says.
In the absence of a clear answer from doctors, the singer continued her activities until she began to suffer from muscle stiffness, but always in silence. The COVID-19 pandemic forced her to search for answers. “For years and years I turned a blind eye. I hid all of this from my friends, my family, my children… I held on as long as possible. I had to stop being brave. I had to take charge of myself,” she says.
Soundtrack and special
The documentary I Am: Celine Dion will be accompanied by a soundtrack, which will be released on June 21, announced the artist’s team. It is unknown which songs will appear on the album.
Has the Charlemagne diva recorded a new piece for the occasion? No information has leaked so far. The trailer, however, contains recent images of Celine Dion in the studio. All hopes are therefore allowed.
One thing is certain: in recent weeks, Céline Dion has confided in Hoda Kotb, from the show Today from the American network NBC. This interview, presented as “Céline Dion’s first television interview since her fight against the SPR”, will be the subject of a one-hour special, which will be broadcast on Tuesday, June 11 at 10 p.m. Unpublished extracts from the feature film I Am: Celine Dion will be presented during the show, the channel emphasizes in a press release.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY NBC
Celine Dion with host Hoda Kotb, from the NBC network. A special will air June 11 at 10 p.m.
Special screenings of the documentary I Am: Celine Dion will also be organized in preview.
Without officially taking back the necklace, Celine Dion has been less discreet in recent months. After visiting the locker rooms of a few hockey clubs, including that of the Montreal Canadiens at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the superstar showed up at the Grammy gala in February, to present the award. album of the year.
PHOTO FROM CÉLINE DION’S X ACCOUNT
Celine Dion with Mick Jagger
Last week, she posted a photo of herself with Mick Jagger, backstage at the Rolling Stones concert at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. His three children, René-Charles, Eddy and Nelson, accompanied him for the occasion.