Inside Celine Dion's battle: Candid scenes in the new documentary
A new, shocking documentary about Celine Dion includes a scene in which the star is unable to speak or move and is in spasms. The director explains what viewers will see in the documentary, which will be available on Prime Video starting 25 June.
In 2022, news broke - Celine Dion recorded a video explaining that she was seriously ill and unable to perform. The disease she suffers from, Stiff-Person Syndrome, is very rare. Its progression is difficult for patients to accept because it involves episodes of stiffness. Muscles suddenly stiffen, and the attacks become more intense, causing pain and taking away independence. Viewers of the first documentary about the star's life will be able to see exactly what Celine is going through.
Dion wanted to show this
The film includes an almost 10-minute scene depicting one of Dion's attacks. For several minutes, the star is in agony, her body in spasms, unable to move or speak, all while viewers watch. As the film's director, Irene Taylor commented in interviews, she had significant doubts about filming at that moment. Dion reportedly had a sudden attack, surprising the film crew.
"So in that first 30 seconds, I was not focused on filming, I was the sound person and my cinematographer was there. But there were several people in the room and everyone was doing what they were trained to do to help her, they’d all been given medical training on what to do if this happens," describes the director.
"So she was in the best hands she could be in. If they needed an extra pair of hands, I would have dropped my microphone and gotten in (to) help them without a doubt. But I did decide to keep filming, knowing that we didn’t have to use it," she added.
Taylor admitted that Celine Dion wanted this scene shown to people. The director admits that the star was incredibly positive after the attack and even comforted Taylor. "Don't worry about what happened," she said to her goodbye.
"An unimaginable situation" - that's how the director describes it in many interviews. She admits it was an overwhelming experience to see it with her own eyes, let alone film such an intimate moment. It happened during a therapy session with a doctor - their sessions aim to make Dion physically fit so she can perform on stage.
In an interview with Today.com, the star's doctor, Dr. Amanda Piquet, explained that during the attack, Celine received a nasal spray with benzodiazepines - the medication alleviates anxiety and reduces muscle spasms.
As we wrote in our review of the film "I Am: Celine Dion," nothing can prepare you for what the documentary creators deliver. "'I Am' goes far beyond home footage, imperfect hairstyles, and tears in front of the camera. No documentary has ever stripped a star of glitz, dresses, and proper lighting to show a vulnerable and broken person. Celine Dion reached unimaginable heights of courage and honesty by inviting Irene Taylor into her home and telling the director about her illness," we wrote.
"I Am: Celine Dion" from 25 June on Prime Video.
