Channel 4 Commissions George Michael Documentary

Channel 4 has confirmed it has commissioned a new feature documentary. With a working title of 'Freedom: George Michael', the film will cover a five-year period in the singer's life, where he took control of his life and career.

During this time, he fell in love for the first time, but this ended in tragedy. The feature also follows the story of the making of 'Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1' and his battle with his record company which ended up in the high court where George challenges the standard recording contract.

'Freedom: George Michael' is being produced by Sony Music Entertainment UK limited and is narrated by the artist himself, giving viewers his own personal account of the events.

The documentary will also include the original five supermodels from film director David Fincher's Freedom! '90 video – Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz and Linda Evangelista. The film will also feature famous fans of George and the album, including Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Ricky Gervais, Mark Ronson, Liam Gallagher, Mary J Blige, Jean Paul Gaultier, Tony Bennett and James Cordon.

The 1x90' film will feature rich unseen archive content, weaving set piece interview sequences with music and fashion luminaries, leading industry figures and other key characters. It will also include never-before-seen outtakes from the Freedom! 90 video.

'Freedom: George Michael' (w/t) was commissioned by Channel 4's Jonny Rothery, Commissioning Editor, Music & Formats. It will be Executive Produced by David Austin, with Phillip Smith directing and produced by Steven Lappin.

The documentary will air on Channel 4 this autumn. It is being produced by Sony Music Entertainment UK limited and is being distributed internationally by BBC Worldwide. US Cable network Showtime have acquired the documentary. It will air in the States later this year.

www.channel4.com

(JP/LM)