Back in the fall of 2021, shortly ahead of Céline Dion's first show cancellations due to "severe and persistent muscle spasms" — later to be diagnosed as the neurological disorder stiff-person syndrome — it was announced that an authorized documentary about the superstar was in production, with Oscar-nominated director Irene Taylor at the helm. I Am: Céline Dion has now been acquired by Amazon MGM Studios and will be available to stream on Prime Video at a yet-to-be-determined date, Variety reports.
As opposed to the standard music doc fare of being a sprawling look at an icon's career, the film is a snapshot of an unexpected, pivotal moment in her life. It reportedly spans about a year and focuses on Dion's stiff-person syndrome diagnosis, which has impeded her muscular control — and thus her ability to use her vocal cords. She says she hopes it helps to "raise awareness of this little-known condition."
“This last couple of years has been such a challenge for me, the journey from discovering my condition to learning how to live with and manage it, but not to let it define me,” Dion said in a statement. “As the road to resuming my performing career continues, I have realized how much I have missed it, of being able to see my fans. During this absence, I decided I wanted to document this part of my life to help others who share this diagnosis."
Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM, added, “Celine Dion is a global megastar with a career defined not only by her extraordinary work ethic and passion, but by her dedication to her fans. This documentary is a raw, intimate portrayal of a pivotal time in her personal life and career, pulling back the curtain on her journey as she overcomes an unthinkable diagnosis.”
Dion first made her stiff-person syndrome diagnosis public in December 2022, when she rescheduled her 2023 performances to 2024. She later had to cancel all of her world tour dates from 2023 through 2024 outright, effectively bringing her performing livelihood to a standstill.
