A new documentary will explore what motivated Madonna’s ambition from the 1970s to the 1990s.
Sky Original is set to release Becoming Madonna, a film that delves into the singer’s rise to massive stardom. The documentary is described as an “immersive, archive-driven” experience, centered around a collection of newly discovered audio tapes where a young Madonna reflects on her life and career.
The film will also include personal interviews with family, friends, and collaborators, some of whom have never shared their stories in a documentary before.
Madonna is one of the world’s best-selling musicians, having sold over 400 million albums globally.
Becoming Madonna will focus on the years between 1978 and 1992, highlighting her transformation from a 19-year-old outsider to one of the most iconic pop stars, including the controversy surrounding her erotic photography book, Sex.
“Through her fiery conflicts with the conservative establishment in the ’80s and ’90s, the film powerfully evokes a time where traditional views on sexuality and gender roles were being audaciously challenged and Madonna was always at the vanguard,” reads the film’s synopsis.
The documentary will also explore the events that fueled Madonna’s determination, including the early death of her mother and the losses of her dance teacher Christopher Flynn and close friend Martin Burgoyne, both of whom died during the 1980s AIDS epidemic.
“Since her debut in the 80s, Madonna has been a powerhouse in pop music and carved the way for many of today’s most popular artists,” said Hayley Reynolds, acting director of Documentaries and Factual at Sky. “This film brings a fresh perspective on an enduring icon, and we’re thrilled to be working alongside Optomen to bring her story to Sky audiences.”
Becoming Madonna is produced by Optomen in collaboration with All3Media International and commissioned for Sky Documentaries by Poppy Dixon, director of Documentaries and Factual at Sky.
The film’s executive producers for Sky are Tom Barry, Bruce Fletcher, and Gilberte Phanor, with Michael Ogden directing. The executive producers for Optomen are Eliana Capitani, Tina Flintoff, and Nick Hornby. All3Media International is handling international sales for the film. Becoming Madonna will be available on Sky Documentaries and NOW soon, with an exact release date to be announced.
