David Bowie’s estate has approved the late artist’s first documentary, titled Lunar Reverie after a track from his 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders of Mars. It is the first estate-approved feature film since the artist’s death in 2016. The film has been picked up by Neon, HBO and Universal. The film will offer a non-fiction feature film about the artist’s life and career.

Originally announced in November last year, Universal will release the film internationally, while HBO will retain cable and streaming rights to the documentary. Although an official release date has yet to be announced, the film will screen at midnight at the Cannes Film Festival next month.

The film will be directed by Oscar-nominated director Brett Morgan, known for his efforts on Kurt Cobain: Heck editing. According to the film’s description, the documentary will offer a cinematic view that “explores Bowie’s creative, musical, and spiritual journey.” Now that the estate has officially sanctioned the documentary, Morgen has been granted access to Bowie’s personal archives to prepare the material.

“Told through sublime, kaleidoscopic and never-before-seen imagery, performances and music, the film is guided by Bowie’s narration and is the first film to be officially sanctioned by the Bowie estate,” the estate said in a statement. .

The film will feature 48 musical tracks, including original studio recordings. The team behind the anticipated film also worked with Bowie during his lifetime, including music producer Tony Visconti, sound mixer Paul Massey and David Giammarco with John Warhurst and Nina Hartstone leading the film’s sound design .

Executive producers for the project include Hartwig Masuch, Kathy Rivkin-Daum and Justus Haerder for BMG. Michael Rapino, Heather Parry and Ryan Kroft serve as executive producers at Live Nation Productions. Bill Zysblat, Tom Cyrana, Aisha Cohen and Eileen D’Arcy serve as executive producers for RZO. BMG and Live Nations Productions financed the film.

Listen to the track that inspired the upcoming documentary below..

Photo credit: Jimmy King