Aretha Franklin on Potential Documentary’s Release: Ain’t No Way!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound? Not to Aretha Franklin's ears.

According to a September 4 story in The Hollywood Reporter, Franklin was granted a temporary injunction over Amazing Grace, a documentary produced by Alan Elliott that includes footage shot by Sydney Pollack from the singer's 1972 gospel concert at New Missionary Baptist Church. Franklin argued that she'd originally struck a deal with the producers that movement on the project would require her consent, and when that clause wasn't honored, she filed the papers just hours before it was set to premiere at the Telluride Film Festival.

According to an amended complaint Franklin has since filed, she alleges that Elliott showed the film, anyway, to buyers at an exclusive screening at the Toronto Film Festival. Strange, because as of September 8, the film had been scrapped from the festival lineup, according to a statement to THR.

"We are extremely disappointed that Toronto audiences will not be able to see this extraordinary piece of art," a film festival rep said. "The footage in the film is truly a cinematic treasure of 20th century music, and we hope global audiences will have opportunity to experience this film once a resolution is found."

Now, Franklin is seeking a permanent injunction that prohibits Elliott, his agents, employees and anyone on his team from using the 1972 footage without her "explicit authorization." If you don't ask for R-E-S-P-E-C-T, you'll never get it, friends.

Would you be interested to see Amazing Grace? Why do you think Franklin's so ardently against its release? Sound off in the comments.

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