Director Dawn Porter On Musical Genius Of Luther Vandross, And What He Chose To Keep Private – Sundance Studio

TITLE: Luther: Never Too Much

Section: Premieres

Director: Dawn Porter

Logline: Luther Vandross started his career supporting David Bowie, Roberta Flack, Bette Midler, and more. His undeniable talent earned platinum records and accolades, but he struggled to break out beyond the R&B charts. Intensely driven, he overcame personal and professional challenges to secure his place amongst the greatest vocalists in history.

Sales Agent: Sony Music Entertainment

Panelist: Dawn Porter (director)

First screening: Sunday, Jan. 21

Key quote: “I wanted Luther to tell his own story as much as possible. So that’s why it was such a gift to have all this archival. And so I was like, we’re going to let Luther have the last word, but the last thing I want to do is have anybody think I’m homophobic. So it was a struggle to not kind of go beyond where he wanted to go [in discussing his sexuality]. So we let people who loved him talk about his struggles. It’s one of the many, many, many reasons we wish Luther Vandross was alive today. What would he make of our world?”

The Deadline Studio at Sundance runs January 19-22 at 608 Main Street, when the cast and creatives behind the best and buzziest titles in this year’s lineup sit down with Deadline’s festival team to discuss their movies and the paths they took to get to Park City.

Thank you to our sponsors McGee & Co., Final Draft, Portrait Creative Network, and Courser.