Milli Vanilli’s Story to Be Told in Documentary, ‘Girl You Know It’s True,’ From MRC Non-Fiction
by Roy Trakin | May 13, 2021 | Variety

MRC Non-Fiction is announcing the production of a new documentary, “Girl You Know It’s True,” about the quick rise and faster fall of Milli Vanilli, the late ’80s pop duo that won the best new artist Grammy and sold more than 10 million records before losing it all amid a musical scandal. Surviving member Fab Morvan will be interviewed for the film, as will the actual vocalists who contributed to Milli Vanilli's short run of lip-synched smashes.

The documentary about Fab Morvan and the late Rob Pilatus will be directed by Luke Korem, who directed and produced the SXSW award-winning non-fiction film “Dealt.” Korem will be a producer on the new film as well, under the banner of his Keep on Running Pictures, alongside producing partner Bradley Jackson and Fulwell 73. The latter company’s Richard Thompson is an executive producer, as is music critic and author Hanif Abdurraqib.

“Milli Vanilli has made an indelible mark on music and pop culture history, yet the truth of what happened is more bizarre than anyone knows,” Korem said. “There are so many layers, characters and twists that have never before been revealed. I’m elated to partner with MRC and share the truth behind what has been dubbed the greatest con in music history.”

“Girl You Know It’s True” is not the only Milli Vanilli project planned for the screen. Brett Ratner, the #MeToo-beleaguered producer/director, recently announced a dramatic feature film based on the lip-synching scandal with 300 Entertainment’s Kevin Liles, one of the writers of Milli Vanilli’s first stateside hit, “Girl You Know It’s True,” as executive producer. Liles co-wrote the song along with Bill Pettaway Jr., Sean “DJ Spence” Spencer, Rodney “Kool Rod” Holloman and Ky Adeyemo as members of the Baltimore-based group Numarx, which first recorded the track.

Songwriter Diane Warren At Center Of Feature Doc In The Works From XTR
by Matt Grobar | May 5, 2021 | Deadline

Diane Warren is getting the documentary treatment, courtesy of XTR.

The doc, directed by Bess Kargman (Defying Gravity: The Untold Story of Women’s Gymnastics), will offer an intimate look at the life, career and process of one of the most accomplished songwriters of all time, revealing what has compelled her to write music continuously since the age of 14.

Bryn Mooser’s premium nonfiction film and TV studio announced on Wednesday that the untitled film is already in the works.

“With the popularity of music documentaries exploding, it’s finally time to tell the story of this prolific and legendary songwriter who has powered many superstars to the top of the charts. Diane Warren is one of the most prodigious, accomplished songwriters of our time,” said Justin Lacob, Head of Development at XTR. “This documentary gives an intimate look at all aspects of her life and career to pay homage to an unparalleled talent in the music and entertainment industry.”

“Diane’s impact on our culture has been profound and transcends generations of music fans — I remember (with great fondness) singing her hit songs a cappella as a college student,” said Kargman. “It is an honor to chronicle her inspiring story and document the life and career of the most prolific songwriter of our time for this film.”

“I know there are a lot of music documentaries, but this is the first one about me!” added Warren. “I am looking forward to ‘turning back time’ (see what I did there) and sharing my story. There will be looking back and there will also be looking forward, which to me is always the most exciting part.”

Warren has penned nine #1 and 32 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, contributing songs to more than 100 motion pictures. Over the years, she has written for every genre, penning numerous classics, including “Rhythm of the Night” and “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing.” Warren, who is the sole owner of her Realsongs publishing company, has collaborated over time with Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Christina Aguilera, Snoop Dogg, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Hudson, Paloma Faith, Andra Day, Demi Lovato, LeAnn Rimes, Common, Janelle Monáe, Missy Elliott, Charlie Puth, Zendaya, and more.

Since 1986, Warren has been nominated 12 times for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. Her most recent nomination came this year for “Io sì”, which she wrote with Laura Pausini for Netflix’s The Life Ahead. A two-time Golden Globe winner who has also claimed an Emmy and a Grammy, Warren was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001 and has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

I think both will be good, but I'm looking forward to the Milli one. Their story is out there, but I believe it's never really been told in the way it should. I believe they were on Behind the Music or something, but it still didn't quite delve into it the way I would've wanted. It was bullet points.

alphastreet said:

There was a documentary on Milli Vanilli few years ago that explained the process of how they were caught up in the lip synching saga and couldn’t get out of it. Maybe someone can share the link Really looking forward to the Diane one too. I follow her on Instagram and she liked my comment one time

Are you talking about the Vlad interview? I don't know of any documentary.

MickyDolenz said:

I'm a german and I wanted to know...was Milli Vanilli really that great in the US ?

It would surprise me, because they were a little embarrassing for a german group, just like Modern Talking ever was. So germish..

Just like external shame

Pellwormer said:

I'm a german and I wanted to know...was Milli Vanilli really that great in the US ?

The Girl You Know It's True album sold around 8 million at the time in the US. A million in sales is platinum. They won a Grammy & Weird Al did a parody (The Plumbing Song). They were all over the radio & MTV/VH-1. So yeah they were a big deal. After they were exposed, they put out an album as Rob & Fab and Arsenio Hall had invited them to his show. Arsenio had been ragging on them before that. He didn't have lip-syncing on his show. I still hear Milli Vanilli songs on the radio today on the local old school radio stations. Blame It On The Rain was on some TV commercial about a year ago.

Just heard it in the news: The real Milli Vanilli singer John Davis died on corona virus

„Milli Vanilli“-Säng... (msn.com)

Pellwormer said:

Just heard it in the news: The real Milli Vanilli singer John Davis died on corona virus

„Milli Vanilli“-Säng... (msn.com)

Fab was touring with him a few years ago. There's some videos on Youtube of them singing together on different TV shows.

MickyDolenz said:

Pellwormer said:

Just heard it in the news: The real Milli Vanilli singer John Davis died on corona virus

„Milli Vanilli“-Säng... (msn.com)

Fab was touring with him a few years ago. There's some videos on Youtube of them singing together on different TV shows.

Tragical...he just recently sang 4 the ppl who worked at a german hospital for their work against covid 19..singing "Hallelujah"

https://www.facebook.com/john.davis.louis/videos/4188188294575294/

alphastreet said:

Good to hear fab was still active

[Spam snip - luv4u]