‘Becoming Madonna’ Promises “Immersive, Archive-Driven” Look at Singer’s Rise to Stardom

A new documentary charting Madonna‘s rise to stratospheric fame is on the way from Sky Original.

Becoming Madonna is an “immersive, archive-driven film” built around a cache of recently uncovered audio tapes in which a young Madonna reflects on her life and career.

The doc will also feature intimate interviews with family, friends and collaborators, some of whom have never spoken in a documentary before.

The musician is one of the best-selling artists of all time, having sold over 400 million records worldwide.

Becoming Madonna will follow the period of 1978 to 1992 as she transformed herself from a 19-year-old outsider to one of the biggest pop stars in the world, sparking controversy with the publication of her erotic photography book Sex.

“Through her fiery conflicts with the conservative establishment in the ’80s and ’90s, the film powerfully evokes a time where traditional views on sexuality and gender roles were being audaciously challenged and Madonna was always at the vanguard,” a synopsis reads.

The film will also examine what fuelled Madonna’s drive, looking at the early death of her mother and those of her dance teacher Christopher Flynn and close friend Martin Burgoyne, both of whom died during the 1980s AIDS epidemic.

“Since her debut in the 80s, Madonna has been a powerhouse in pop music and carved the way for many of today’s most popular artists,” said Hayley Reynolds, acting director of Documentaries and Factual at Sky. “This film brings a fresh perspective on an enduring icon and we’re thrilled to be working alongside Optomen to bring her story to Sky audiences.”

Becoming Madonna is produced by Optomen in association with All3Media International and commissioned for Sky Documentaries by Poppy Dixon, director of Documentaries and Factual at Sky.

Executive producers for Sky are Tom Barry, Bruce Fletcher and Gilberte Phanor. Michael Ogden serves as director. Executive producers for Optomen are Eliana Capitani, Tina Flintoff and Nick Hornby. All3Media International is looking after international sales for the title. Becoming Madonna is coming to Sky Documentaries and NOW soon, with an exact date yet to be confirmed.