The Prince We Never Knew

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses a revealing new documentary about the life of pop icon Prince, which may never be released due to objections from Prince's estate. The documentary, directed by Ezra Edelman, provides a deep and complex portrait of Prince, exploring his musical genius, troubled personal life, and the contradictions that defined him.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Prince We Never Knew

1. What are some key insights the documentary provides about Prince's life and character?

• The documentary delves into Prince's troubled childhood, including the violence in his household and the strained relationship with his parents, which shaped his later life and artistic persona.
• It explores Prince's complex relationships with women, including his protégées and muses, revealing his tendencies towards control, cruelty, and emotional distance alongside his support and collaboration.
• The film examines Prince's religious devotion later in life, suggesting it was a way to cope with the trauma and grief he experienced, particularly the death of his infant son.
• The documentary portrays Prince as a deeply flawed but immensely talented individual, whose genius was accompanied by dark impulses and an inability to truly connect with those around him.

2. Why is the documentary's release in jeopardy?

• Prince's estate, which is now divided between different parties, has objected to the documentary's content and tone, claiming it misrepresents Prince.
• The estate has entered into a protracted battle with Netflix, which owns the rights to the film, to prevent its release.
• There are disputes over the length of the documentary, with the estate arguing it should be no more than 6 hours, while the director, Ezra Edelman, has assembled a 9-hour version that he is unwilling to cut down.

3. How does the documentary's length and scope contribute to its impact?

• The film's length and depth allow it to fully explore the complexities and contradictions of Prince's life and character, rather than presenting a more superficial or celebratory portrait.
• Commentators like Questlove and other filmmakers argue that the film's comprehensive approach is necessary to do justice to Prince's immense talent and significance as a cultural figure.
• The length enables the film to build a nuanced, multilayered understanding of Prince, rather than reducing him to a simple narrative.

[02] Edelman's Approach and Challenges

1. What was Ezra Edelman's approach to making the documentary?

• Edelman spent years conducting extensive research and interviews to try to uncover the truth about the enigmatic Prince, who was notoriously private and guarded about his personal life.
• He gained access to Prince's personal archive, known as "the vault," which contained a wealth of unreleased recordings and footage, but found that much of it was carefully curated and lacked spontaneity or personal insight.
• Edelman's method as a filmmaker involves meticulous preparation and long, in-depth interviews that allow his subjects to open up and reveal unexpected perspectives.

2. What were some of the key challenges Edelman faced in making the documentary?

• Many of Prince's closest collaborators and associates were reluctant to participate, either out of loyalty, fear, or a desire to protect Prince's legacy.
• Edelman had to slowly and carefully persuade people to share their experiences and perspectives, often encountering suspicion and resistance.
• The changing ownership and control of Prince's estate created ongoing obstacles, with the new executors objecting to the project and entering into a legal battle to prevent its release.

3. How does Edelman's approach to the documentary reflect his own relationship to Prince and his work?

• Edelman was not a die-hard Prince fan initially, but came to deeply respect his artistry and was determined to create a comprehensive portrait that captured his complexities.
• The director saw parallels between his own meticulous, obsessive working style and Prince's, suggesting a kinship in their approaches to their respective crafts.
• Edelman grappled with his own ambivalence towards Prince, at times disliking him intensely but also being moved by his humanity, reflecting the film's aim to present a balanced, multifaceted view of the artist.