RobotFix said:

Even the most devoted Prince fans couldn't ignore his reputation for being a loathsome prick.

Yep, he could be a complete a**hole sometimes. I don't need a documentary to tell me that. It's not a good reason to censor one either. Either way, I still don't care about that documentary. Or any documentary not focused on the music, actually. Music is why I'm here.

olb99 said:

RobotFix said:

Even the most devoted Prince fans couldn't ignore his reputation for being a loathsome prick.

Yep, he could be a complete a**hole sometimes. I don't need a documentary to tell me that. It's not a good reason to censor one either. Either way, I still don't care about that documentary. Or any documentary not focused on the music, actually. Music is why I'm here.

Actually, if you'd watched the interview, you'd know that the doc covers BOTH : the human side and the music. In order to understand the music, you need to get a sense of who the man was. That simple. Now if you're not comfortable with who he was as a person and would rather ignore it that's on you.

I'm done having an opinion about this until I can see it, fuck both parties for being so sure of themselves.

olb99 said:

RobotFix said:

Even the most devoted Prince fans couldn't ignore his reputation for being a loathsome prick.

Yep, he could be a complete a**hole sometimes. I don't need a documentary to tell me that. It's not a good reason to censor one either. Either way, I still don't care about that documentary. Or any documentary not focused on the music, actually. Music is why I'm here.

Actually, if you'd watched the interview, you'd know that the doc covers BOTH : the human side and the music. In order to understand the music, you need to get a sense of who the man was. That simple. Now if you're not comfortable with who he was as a person and would rather ignore it that's on you.

9to5People said:

This might sound like an odd question, but did Ezra (or anyone else for that matter) ever considered editing the series down to the 6 hours originally agreed upon? That was the ONLY legal way the estate had to actually stop the series right? I mean, i know the estate wasn’t happy with some of the content, but they couldn’t actually stop the 6 hour series being released. (Past tense obviously, the estate has stopped it ever being officially released with the new netflix deal)

-

The estate had a 17 page list of demand changes.

No idea if they ever were 'against' the 9 hours long idea.

Though, I hardly can understand that the estate wasn't aware of Edelman making this doc longer than 6 hours, especially while working on it for 5 years!

One would expect the Estate did see a few prepared rough cuts before it all was finished.

Therefor had their say about 6 or 9 hours, while Edelman was already deep in the work.

It's what I think. But i'm not an expert.

The Estate blindly waited 5 years to find out what Edelman made?6 or 9 hours long?

No way, i don't believe that.

paisleyparkgirl said:

olb99 said:

Yep, he could be a complete a**hole sometimes. I don't need a documentary to tell me that. It's not a good reason to censor one either. Either way, I still don't care about that documentary. Or any documentary not focused on the music, actually. Music is why I'm here.

Actually, if you'd watched the interview, you'd know that the doc covers BOTH : the human side and the music. In order to understand the music, you need to get a sense of who the man was. That simple. Now if you're not comfortable with who he was as a person and would rather ignore it that's on you.

I decided a long time ago that I'm more interested in the music / Prince the artist than in Prince the person. I understand that it might be different for some people. I'm not saying Edelman's documentary wouldn't be interesting for them.

I think I've enjoyed Prince's music those last 40 years just fine without Edelman's perspective.

[Edited 3/5/25 14:22pm]

9to5People said:

9to5People said:

This might sound like an odd question, but did Ezra (or anyone else for that matter) ever considered editing the series down to the 6 hours originally agreed upon? That was the ONLY legal way the estate had to actually stop the series right? I mean, i know the estate wasn’t happy with some of the content, but they couldn’t actually stop the 6 hour series being released. (Past tense obviously, the estate has stopped it ever being officially released with the new netflix deal)

lol..u clearly are NOT a creative. We dont think in those terms.

The project s exactly what he thinks it should be.

olb99 said:

paisleyparkgirl said:

Actually, if you'd watched the interview, you'd know that the doc covers BOTH : the human side and the music. In order to understand the music, you need to get a sense of who the man was. That simple. Now if you're not comfortable with who he was as a person and would rather ignore it that's on you.

I decided a long time ago that I'm more interested in the music / Prince the artist than in Prince the person. I understand that it might be different for some people. I'm not saying Edelman's documentary wouldn't be interesting for them.

I think I've enjoyed Prince's music those last 40 years just fine without Edelman's perspective.

[Edited 3/5/25 14:22pm]

Exactly. ALL documentaries are "the truth" through someone else's artistic direction, narrative, perspective. Edelman notoriously was digging up dirt because otherwise he only had Prince's carefully crafted myth/persona to talk about. When Jon Bream is suspicious of the guy...you know Edelman was being a bit sheisty/questionable. Like, he really thought the estate would get behind this?

-

John Lennon, David Bowie, Michael Jackson ALL had personal lives that were definitively MORE salacious and scandalous than Prince's. Yet I don't see Bowie's estate putting out a documentary focusing on how/when Bowie slept with underage girls in lieu of how he how/when wrote "Starman."

-

Listen, I've said it before: I'm a lot more interetsted in how Prince crafted "Lady Cab Driver" than I am who he was fucking and fighting.

Gooddoctor23 said:

9to5People said:

This might sound like an odd question, but did Ezra (or anyone else for that matter) ever considered editing the series down to the 6 hours originally agreed upon? That was the ONLY legal way the estate had to actually stop the series right? I mean, i know the estate wasn’t happy with some of the content, but they couldn’t actually stop the 6 hour series being released. (Past tense obviously, the estate has stopped it ever being officially released with the new netflix deal)

lol..u clearly are NOT a creative. We dont think in those terms.

The project s exactly what he thinks it should be.

This is not quite a fair remark.

Artist DO give in A LOT!

I am one for that matter. No 'we' here. Peace though. No offence.

Movies, documentaries, (whatever art) are made, in this case by studio demand/overlook/control.

Then, years later, the directors cut gives some more room, but for sure also under studio-eyes.

It's the money that decides what artists on that level 'may' do.

Sure, they're free to start and go all the way, but halfway it's checked, and at the end it's cut.

Or, artists fight their whole life like Prince did, to "try" to be free.

Once they are (he so called was), Prince did CONtracts all over again.

Most artist can't be 'creatively free'.

And, true; "The project is exactly what he (Ezra) thinks it should be."

He got a big award under his arms, that gave him credit for five years.

Wonder if he can use that once more. Shame he and his team had to go through this.

Bootleg the goddamn thing Ezra, ya hear me?

skywalker said:

Ndorphinmachina said:

andrewcherry said:

The Banned Prince Documentary: Director Ezra Edelman Speaks | PTFO https://youtu.be/X93Y4ECBCeA [Edited 3/4/25 17:11pm]

This is fascinating, especially the part on Prince's view of the effect of karma on his life. Heartbreaking.

Here's hoping a change in personnel at the Estate will allow a review of the decision to withold the documentary.

I have exactly ZERO confidence in the so called "Estate"

SoulAlive said:

There are plenty of projects Prince completed that are in the vault that are far more comprehensive than a documentary. The "Piano And A Microphone" gala from January 21st, 2016, First Avenue 1983, the full Lovesexy documentary. Edelman said he wants to move on, then MOVE ON, bruh. Whatever the estate does is none of your concern, you are free to take on a new project. I just want the music that came from Prince's ingenuinty and not the interpretation of a director with a TMZ agenda.

olb99 said:

paisleyparkgirl said:

Actually, if you'd watched the interview, you'd know that the doc covers BOTH : the human side and the music. In order to understand the music, you need to get a sense of who the man was. That simple. Now if you're not comfortable with who he was as a person and would rather ignore it that's on you.

I decided a long time ago that I'm more interested in the music / Prince the artist than in Prince the person. I understand that it might be different for some people. I'm not saying Edelman's documentary wouldn't be interesting for them.

I think I've enjoyed Prince's music those last 40 years just fine without Edelman's perspective.

[Edited 3/5/25 14:22pm]

The documentary wasn't geared towards longtime fans but more the general public.

Ndorphinmachina said:

9to5People said:

This might sound like an odd question, but did Ezra (or anyone else for that matter) ever considered editing the series down to the 6 hours originally agreed upon? That was the ONLY legal way the estate had to actually stop the series right? I mean, i know the estate wasn’t happy with some of the content, but they couldn’t actually stop the 6 hour series being released. (Past tense obviously, the estate has stopped it ever being officially released with the new netflix deal)

This is pure speculation on my part, but I suspect Netflix would be hesitant to release the documentary without the estates backing. It's not a good look, and would make other celebrities think twice before committing to allowing them (Netflix) access to their lives. Knowing if they (celebrities) were unhappy with something Netflix would just say "we don't care, you signed the contract". In order to get to a place where the estate were happy, the documentary would have to lose 3 hours AND commit to removing anything unflattering. I will laugh though, if when the estate produces their documentary, Netflix says, no, this isn't good enough. Do it again... We need more drama. This could wind up being VERY expensive for the estate. Make no mistake, they are planning 3-6 hours of S̶y̶c̶o̶p̶h̶a̶n̶t̶i̶c̶ ̶f̶a̶w̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ the type of clip you see before someone accepts a lifetime achievement award. "A brief history of Prince", as opposed to a visual essay about who and why he was.

Hold up, Netflix will be releasing the Estate's documentary ?

SoulAlive said:

Ndorphinmachina said:

I will laugh though, if when the estate produces their documentary, Netflix says, no, this isn't good enough. Do it again... We need more drama. This could wind up being VERY expensive for the estate. Make no mistake, they are planning 3-6 hours of S̶y̶c̶o̶p̶h̶a̶n̶t̶i̶c̶ ̶f̶a̶w̶n̶i̶n̶g̶ the type of clip you see before someone accepts a lifetime achievement award. "A brief history of Prince", as opposed to a visual essay about who and why he was.

Exactly.The estate is not gonna put out a real documentary on Prince’s life.They’re too paranoid.They’re acting like they have something to hide.They apparently don’t want the world to know that Prince was a human being with character flaws (just like everyone else).I have zero interest in their doc.

Exactly.

Ezra speaks: https://youtu.be/X93Y4ECBCeA

Interview with Pablo Torre. Well worth it. It's a shame we don't get to see the doc.

I am in the minority but delighted this is permanently canned. It would have been sensationalist [typical of Netflix these days] and biased towards his weaknesses. I guarantee you no research was done on the countless charitable acts Prince delivered. Just disappointed nothing was ready for immediate release post this announcement to celebrate the vaults Freedom

The estate's documentary will be something like this. "Prince was a unicorn who could levitate and play 50 instruments. He was killed by the government because he knew something about chemtrails. He never did any drugs and lived a very clean lifestyle. He was a devout Jehovah Witness and anyone who said something negative about him was simply a hater and a liar."

[Edited 3/5/25 21:39pm]

Resolution said:

I am in the minority but delighted this is permanently canned. It would have been sensationalist [typical of Netflix these days] and biased towards his weaknesses. I guarantee you no research was done on the countless charitable acts Prince delivered. Just disappointed nothing was ready for immediate release post this announcement to celebrate the vaults Freedom

U simply dont know what u are talking about.

paisleyparkgirl said:

After watching interview between Edelman and Pablo Torres, it comes down to Edelman mad that he can't show the world how he exploited all the sordid details about Prince's life because that's what makes for a good film narrative instead of hiding behind the "journalistic duty" cloak. If Prince's life can be subject to scrutiny then so can the agenda of the director.

True, but I'd argue that, the truths never heard are more interesting than the ones being rehashed. Or worse, exaggerated.

Don't think many people would disagree. However, if there's no footage of him in the studio recording it, then an examination of his life at the time he wrote it seems like the next best thing?

The estate certainly isn't going to get technical, talking through the equipment, or have someone recreate it live to demonstrate how it was done... That's a YouTube thing and the estate has made no effort in that regard.

The Prince/Paisley Park channel could be the go to place for guitar/bass/piano/drum tutorials for Prince songs by the people who played the songs for a living. They could have hundreds of technical walkthroughs and how to's about getting this or that sound. Deep dive interviews with engineers who were there... They could be teaching people but, they'd rather sell wine glasses and wellington boots.

I have zero confidence that their documentary will be more than a channel 5 (low quality, low effort) documentary. Likely showing clips of performances they won't release for another 15 years... Or worse, full of clips that only serve to advertise their next couple of releases.

We don't need footage of Prince recording Lady Cab Driver. Show him playing it live. Do the Ken Burns camera effect on a still image of the lyrics. There's literally hundreds of ways to focus on the art rather than pivoting to other subjects because they are more "juicy." Even a merely competant documentary maker knows how to do this. Bottom Line: Edelman clearly wasn't interested in this.

SoulAlive said: