Between bands like Duran Duran, Guns N’ Roses, New Edition, and many more, the 1980s became one of the most memorable eras within the medium of music. While the vocalists themselves were temporarily honored with bedroom posters and magazine clippings at the epitome of their popularity, the albums they released will forever hold a place not only in fans’ minds but also in history.
Just between the aforementioned groups, many accomplishments include a plaque on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and over thirty various accolades in the industry. While it is quite a time-honored tradition to give out awards and nominations to those musical icons who have strived for success, a new documentary being shown at the2023 Tribeca Film Festivalwill highlight an infamous duo who also achieved greatness during that era but also shortly thereafter, stepped into one of the quickest downfalls ever seen.
WithMillii Vanillialready announced for distribution on Paramount Plus following its premiere at the New York-based independent film expo, this in-depth look will explore the infamous legacy behind the two-man R&B group of Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus (who passed away in 1998). Becoming fast friends through their similar but unique backgrounds, the duo initially rose to international stardom through their hit single, “Girl You Know It’s True.”
Finding the same level of fame in other countries, the group named Milli Vanilli went on to win at the Grammy Awards and the American Music Awards. With such widespread notoriety, they would also be referenced in such movies as the 1994 movie adaptation ofThe Little Rascalsand televisionshows likeThe X-FilesandThe Goldbergs.
After escalating further and further up the entertainment train over thirty-four years ago with the help of esteemed manager and promoter Frank Farian, director Luke Korem and producer Bradley Jackson nowwant to rotate the stage of entertainmentthrough this new film and bring a behind-the-curtain look to moviegoers and music fans alike to show what it was really like for all those involved during a tumultuous time.
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Diving Into The Truth
With the documentary including many names and faces from that time, such as original member Fab Morvan and Mr. Farian’s assistant, Ms. Ingrid Segieth, these significant personalities will go into uncharted territory regarding Milli Vanilli’s sudden launch into praise and acclaim but also through their lip-syncing scandal that shocked the entire world.
With the gossip and doubt mounting from both critics and consumers, the two-year secret was finally too heavy to carry. In a show of good faith, the two genuine and sincere individuals (who have immense natural talent) willingly handed back their Grammy Awards in 1990.
Once told to stay in the shadows by music executives, a total of five individuals, who go by the names of Jodie Rocco, Linda Rocco, Charles Shaw, John Davis and Brad Howell are now being rightfully accredited for being the actual vocalists on Milli Vanilli’s album. This thrilling timeline will now be covered with a fine-toothed comb in the upcoming Tribeca documentary on June 10th, 11th and 15th.
Directing theMilli Vanillidocumentary, Luke Korem is no stranger to crafting stories from real-life icons who deserve a rekindled recognition. His past works include2017’s Dealt,which is about Richard Turner, a man who didn’t let his blindness stop him from becoming a great card magician, as well as2013’s Lord Montagu, a look back into a very controversial nobleman who lived in the days ofDownton Abbey-esque lords and ladies.
While the former film is available towatch right now on Tubi, the biopic about the widely known aristocrat is also ready to view on the Roku Channel. While producer Bradley Jackson has created scripted films like2021’s Playing God,which featured actor Luke Benward and actress Hanna Kasulka as a pair of con artists who are in for their biggest heist yet, he also has experience in documentary making with a television series calledAction (2019)which was about the evolving form of sports gambling.
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Other names confirmed to appear in theMilli Vanillidocumentary are the award-winning music producer and rapper Timbaland, who worked with the original songwriter behind “Girl You Know It’s True” (one of Milli Vanilli’s hit songs), and American songwriter Diane Warren who wrote the song “Blame It On The Rain.”
Stepping in as executive producers for the much-awaited documentary are American poet Hanif Abdurraqib and Fabrice Morvan’s manager, Kim Marlowe. With a documentary in the works himself about the waging war between West Texas farmers and politicians called Water Wars, Jon Michael Simpson is co-producing thehighly-anticipated biopic.
Right before Mr. Pilatus’s death, he and Fabrice Morvan were planning a return to the industry with a new album titled Back and in Attack that would reboot their careers. While that never came to be released and thus lost to time, this new documentary will not only showcase the unique melodic stylings of Milli Vanilli to a more modern audience but also reintroduce two of the most endearing musical performers from a pivotal time in music history.
