Dionne Warwick : Don’t Make Me Over at 2021 Montclair Film Festival
October 25th, 2021 by Mr. C
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Dionne Warwick finally got a spotlight shining down on her for her contributions to the music industry as well as recognition for her stellar humanitarian efforts in 1985 with her fight against AIDS lending her voice literally & sonically – recording her version of the song “That’s what friends are for” with a bunch of her friends! This record made millions and continues to draw revenue to this day, all being donated to AMFAR, an organization to help bring awareness and fight to HIV & AIDS. Miss Warwick is a dignitary of the highest order! She sees something, she does something!
The documentary film “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over” chronicled her life starting from her humble beginnings in a diverse East Orange, NJ along with her religious family who were deeply rooted in the choir and gospel. Miss Dionne is the sister of Cissy Houston and Whitney Houston’s Aunt in case you didn’t know! Now that is what I call a talented family!
Stephen Colbert along with Dionne Warwick and director Dave Wooley
The film reminded us of how important Dionne was in bridging the gap between pop & r&b and maybe more
importantly with breaking down color & culture barriers. She also had to overcome the stigma of being a sellout because of this crossing. Dionne was caught in between not being black enough or being too white in the music industry. What I love about Miss Warwick was that she was an outlaw and she did what she wanted to do and not try to please others. She speaks her mind! It also showed us how tenacious she was in dealing with a racist & segregrated Jim Crow south when she toured with Sam Cooke in the 1960s. Her boisterous fight continued on to the 1980s & 90s when she said enough is enough with gangster rap and the outlandish language they used in portraying young ladies in their rap songs. Miss Warwick called in a meeting at her mansion to the OG’s of Gangster rap like Suge Knight, Snoop Dog, 2Pac and who knows what other G’s to address these issues!
This documentary was a nice reconnection & refresher to Dionne Warwick who was and is a very influential slice of pop culture and social influence that is often overlooked in my opinion! It was wonderful that we got a chance to celebrate her in this film and to give her roses for just being herself.
Stephen Colbert moderated a Q/A with Dionne and the director of the documentary after the viewing of the movie at the Wellmont Theatre / 2021 Montclair Film Festival. Colbert was really impressed with Dionne being on the Johnny Carson show over 10 times.
Tags: dionne warwick, documentary
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