CNN Films examines the captivating story of the iconic Luther Vandross as he paves his own course to become one of the most decorated and influential artists of all time in Luther: Never Too Much. The film chronicles the story of Vandross from his formative years in Harlem, appearing in the Apollo Theater house band and the first episodes of Sesame Street, through his ascendance to become the indisputable master of the love song. From award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter (CNN Films' John Lewis: Good Trouble) and produced by Raindog Films and Foxxhole Productions for Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Publishing, in association with Trilogy Films, the film will premiere on tomorrow, January 1, 2025 at 8pm ET/PT on CNN.
We spoke with Dawn Porter on her experience making the film.
Luther Vandross has such an extensive music catalog. Was it hard to choose which songs to feature in the film?
Everyone has a favorite Luther song, including all of our production team, so it was hard! Ultimately, we went with songs that had visual or story elements we could really dig into. It was a good problem to have!
For the first time, we get a glimpse into Luther's personal life. What was your approach to covering it?
It was important to me to be respectful of his wishes. He was very clear about his preferences, so we let him speak for himself, which he does quite eloquently.
You have directed and produced such films as John Lewis: Good Trouble and Bobby Kennedy for President. What attracted you to directing this first-ever documentary about Luther?
Luther Vandross is one of the most beloved artists, and yet people knew so little about his personal story. I felt we could really help people understand why he was so great. We had so many elements to work with—rehearsal footage, private interviews, photos, and of course, his closest friends and collaborators. I knew we could tell a story that would illuminate his life and career.
What do you think fans of this great R&B legend will take away after watching this film?
I think they will respect and admire him even more. I hope they appreciate how multi-talented he was—as a composer, arranger, producer, and leader. Luther was not only a gifted vocalist, he was a quadruple threat!
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