‘Freedom Uncut’: new George Michael documentary features unseen and personal footage

The UK pop star will be heard narrating the film created before his death

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  British singers George Michael and Paul McCartney perform at the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London, on July 2, 2005. Reuters

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  George Michael and Stevie Wonder perform 'Living for the City' at the fourth annual VH1 Honours concert in Universal City, California, on April 10, 1997. AP

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  Singing great Aretha Franklin joins George Michael during his Faith World Tour in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on August 30, 1988. AP

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  George Michael accompanied by other musicians and children from Africa performing for the finale of the Live 8 concert in Hyde Park, London, on July 2, 2005. AP

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  George Michael accepts one of his three American Music Awards during ceremonies in Los Angeles on January 31, 1989. AP

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  George Michael at an event on May 11, 2011, to announce his European Orchestral tour in London. AP

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  From left, George Michael, concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith, Bono of U2, Paul McCartney and Freddie Mercury of Queen join in the finale of the Live Aid famine relief concert at Wembley Stadium, London, on July 13, 1985. AP

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  Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael of Wham! perform during a concert in Beijing, China, on April 7, 1985. AP

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  Singer George Michael performs during the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium August 12, 2012. Stefan Wermuth / Reuters

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  George Michael performs at Concert of Hope to mark World Aids Day, at London’s Wembley Arena on December 2, 1993. AP photo

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  George Michael performs during his 25 Live concert at Wembley Stadium in London on June 9, 2007. AFP

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  George Michael performs at the Manchester Arena in England on November 17, 2006. Reuters

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  British pop star George Michael performs during a concert at Wembley Stadium in London June 9, 2007. Dylan Martinez / Reuters

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  George Michael performs at a concert to raise money for the Aids charity Sidaction at Palais Garnier Opera house in Paris on September 9, 2012. AP

A documentary about George Michael will be released in the summer.

Freedom Uncut traces the early days of the singer's career, between 1987's debut album Faith and 1990's follow-up Listen Without Prejudice Vol 1.

The documentary will be in select cinemas worldwide on June 22, with fans urged to register their interest on the film's official website.

According to the announcement, the documentary was filmed before Michael's death on Christmas Day in 2016, with the singer listed as co-director alongside filmmaker and close friend David Austin.

Described as Michael's "final work", it is narrated by the singer and traces some of the most tumultuous periods of his career, including his high stakes court battle with record label Sony. It also features unseen footage from the singer’s personal archives.

“The film features George’s incredible, unseen archival and private home-footage, giving viewers a first-person account of this dramatic period in his life, revealing how he became one of the most influential recording artists of all time, who alone fought a corner for all artists by challenging the standard recording contract helping to rewrite the rules of the music industry,” says the film's website.

The documentary also include an interview with the five supermodels featured in Michael's Freedom! 90 music video: Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Tatjana Patitz and Linda Evangelista.

Other stars sharing their reflections include Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Ricky Gervais, Nile Rodgers, Mark Ronson, Tracey Emin, Liam Gallagher, Mary J Blige, Jean Paul Gaultier, James Corden and Tony Bennett.

“The film is George’s final work. Narrated by George himself, it is the complete story,” said Austin.

Michael began his career in 1981 as the frontman of pop duo Wham!

After releasing a string of hits, including Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go and Last Christmas, the group disbanded in 1986 and Michael embarked on a successful solo career that made him a global megastar.

He released five albums, including the blockbuster debut Faith, which won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1989.

An avid art collector, Michael left behind works by some of Britain's most famous contemporary artists, including Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas.

The pieces were eventually sold at auction by Christie’s in 2019 for reportedly more than £11 million ($14.2m).