The Lifetime movie Whitney, directed by Angela Bassett and focused on the life of iconic singer Whitney Houston, is set to debut Jan. 17, 2015.
Bassett, in her first debut as director, told Chris Harnick of E! News that the film's aim was for viewers to go on the journey of Houston and Bobby Brown. She worked with the late singer on the film Waiting to Exhale.
"I just want them to go on the journey between Whitney and Bobby. I considered it a love story...I guess they had great business between them. They were there to love and care for one another, and it was quite a journey," Bassett said.
Actress Yaya DaCosta (The Butler) and Arlen Escarpeta (Into the Storm) played the roles of the iconic singer and Brown respectively. The film, according to the trailer that first premiered on Buzzfeed, focused on the couple's tumultuous relationship and love story.
"I think we as fans, audience...those that looked on-we thought we had some say in it," Bassett said. "We really didn't have any say in their love affair. The say we have is of ourselves and our capacity to love, to love ourselves, to love one another and to just spread more love and joy in this world."
Bassett added that their relationship was "a magnificent journey" and hoped that "it will be a reflection into our own lives." She also told Harnick that Houston and Brown have dealt with the same factors all relationships deal with, such as timing, life choices and "knowing someone's heart and past."
"Some you can handle and some you cannot. Some you have to work on more deeply, but it all starts with loving ourselves and that's who you bring to any relationship and hopefully it's the best you that you bring," she said. "I hope that it's a jumping off of some sort of contemplation or even conversation."
According to Greg Braxton of the Los Angeles Times, Deborah Cox will sing Houston's vocal performances. The songs that will be featured in the film include "The Greatest Love of All," "I Will Always Love You," "I'm Your Baby Tonight," "I'm Every Woman" and Brown's "Every Little Step."
Braxton noted that the film's premiere will be followed by an hour-long documentary Beyond the Headlines: Whitney Houston. The documentary puts the spotlight on Houston's friends, colleagues and industry insiders who will offer insight into her career and her tragic downfall.
Whitney will premiere on Lifetime at 8 p.m. ET on Jan. 17, 2015.
