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George Michael documentary narrated by the late singer

<p dir="ltr">A new documentary detailing the extraordinary life and career of George Michael is set to hit theatres in June. </p> <p dir="ltr">The documentary, titled <em>George Michael: Freedom Uncut</em>, is described as the artist’s last work, with the late musician being credited as a co-creator on the project.</p> <p dir="ltr">George Michael was heavily involved in the making of the movie prior to his death in 2016, as he also narrates the film, which will offer new insight into his music career and private life. </p> <p dir="ltr">Freedom Uncut chronicles the tumultuous — yet creatively fruitful — period of Michael’s life and career following the release of his 1987 solo debut, <em>Faith</em>, then through the creation and release of his 1990 follow-up <em>Listen Without Prejudice, Vol. 1.</em> </p> <p dir="ltr">Along with documenting his creative efforts during this period, the doco will also explore his relationship with Anselmo Feleppa — who died from AIDS-related complications — as well as the death of Michael’s mother. </p> <p dir="ltr">The film will feature an array of archived footage, including photos from Michael’s private collection, as well as never-before-seen footage from the<em> Freedom! ’90</em> video, directed by David Fincher.</p> <p dir="ltr">The documentary also includes interviews with Michael’s peers and friends, including Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Nile Rodgers, Mark Ronson, Ricky Gervais, Mary J. Blige, Liam Gallagher, and Tony Bennett, as they recall some of their favourite memories with their late friend who changed the face of music. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Music

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New Netflix doco narrated by AI-generated Andy Warhol

<p dir="ltr">A new documentary about artist Andy Warhol will resurrect the art world icon through artificial intelligence. </p> <p dir="ltr">Following a controversial trend amongst filmmakers, the artist will be heard reading through his diary entries and discussing his successful art career. </p> <p dir="ltr">The voice will not be that of the real artist, but rather created to mimic his voice through artificial intelligence technology. </p> <p dir="ltr">Warhol, who died in 1987, had an extensive impact on the art world with his famous pop art movement and his Campbell soup cans collections. </p> <p dir="ltr">Andrew Rossi, who created the upcoming <em>The Andy Warhol Diaries</em> series, undertook this unusual measure with the Andy Warhol Foundation to have their permission to create the series with his AI-generated voice, according to the recently released trailer. </p> <p dir="ltr">The series also portrays the AI-generated narration as something Warhol himself would’ve wanted.</p> <p dir="ltr">In recent years, many filmmakers have relied on AI technology to recreate the voice of a deceased person for a biographical documentary. </p> <p dir="ltr">Last year, AI was used to recreate Anthony Bourdain’s voice for <em>Roadrunner</em> and to reconstruct footage of the Beatles producing their album <em>Let It Be</em> for the three-part series <em>Get Back</em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though generally seen as technically impressive, this usage of AI has provoked debate about the ethics of utilising the technology to “resurrect” dead figures, and generated questions about the truth-telling quality commonly associated with documentary filmmaking.</p> <p dir="ltr">You can check out the trailer for <em>The Andy Warhol Diaries</em> below.</p> <p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aeC76ncf66w" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Art

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6 best audiobooks of all time

<p>For most book lovers, there’s nothing quite like poring over the written word while cuddled up in bed with a warm cuppa, but for those times you can’t read a physical book (or simply don’t feel like it), you can’t go past audiobooks.</p> <p>Narrated by some of the entertainment world’s best and most recognisable voices, here are six audiobooks that will utterly transport you.</p> <p><strong>1. <em>The Spire</em> written by William Golding, read by Benedict Cumberbatch</strong></p> <p>From the author of <em>The Lord of the Flies</em> comes this hypnotic audio version of his 1964 fable, <em>The Spire</em>, set in medieval Salisbury and recorded by <em>Sherlock</em>’s Benedict Cumberbatch.</p> <p>You can listen to a spine-tinglingly good sample <a href="https://soundcloud.com/canongate-books/william-goldings-the-spire-read-by-benedict-cumberbatch" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a> and buy it <a href="https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Fiction/The-Spire-Audiobook/B00MWH7ZEI" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>2.<em> Home: A Memoir of My Early Years</em> written and read by Julie Andrews</strong></p> <p>Made even more charming by being read by the lady herself, Julie Andrew’s fascinating memoir of her life before fame, up until she was discovered by Walt Disney in 1962, will enthral you.</p> <p>You can listen to a sample and buy it for yourself <a href="https://www.kobo.com/au/en/audiobook/home-133?utm_campaign=audiobook_shopping_feed_au_en&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;gclid=EAIaIQobChMInImN_9X21gIVxQ9oCh0CawC7EAYYASABEgJwrfD_BwE" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>3. <em>The Harry Potter</em> series written by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry</strong></p> <p>Revisit the magic of the <em>Harry Potter</em> series as read by the inimitable Stephen Fry. Worth every cent, this set makes a wonderful gift for the kids in your life – or even the adults.</p> <p>Buy the complete collection <a href="https://gbp.shop.pottermore.com/collections/audio-books/products/harry_potter_the_complete_collection_audio_book1-7_english" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a> or start with book one <a href="https://gbp.shop.pottermore.com/collections/audio-books/products/harry_potter_and_the_philosophers_stone_audio_book1_english" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p><strong>4. <em>The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</em> written by Mark Haddon, read by Ben Tibber</strong></p> <p>The 15-year-old narrator of this popular, quirky audiobook (which was written from the perspective of a 15-year-old boy with Asperger’s) has been praised for its ability to bring the story to life.</p> <p>Listen to a brilliant extract <a href="https://soundcloud.com/penguin-books/the-curious-case-of-the-dog-in-the-night-by-mark-haddon-audiobook-extract-read-by-ben-tibber" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a> and click <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/au/audiobook/curious-incident-dog-in-night-time-dramatised-unabridged/id81497776" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a> to buy it.</p> <p><strong>5. <em>The Handmaid’s Tale</em> written by Margaret Atwood, read by Claire Danes</strong></p> <p>The TV adaptation has been a breakout hit, but there’s nothing quite like the original. <em>Homeland</em> actress Claire Danes gives a stirring performance in this award-winning audio version.</p> <p>Click <a href="https://soundcloud.com/audible/the-handmaids-tale" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a> to listen to a sample and <a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/93981/71095/1880?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Faudio-books%2Fthe-handmaid-s-tale-margaret-atwood%2Fprod9781543661910.html" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a> to buy it.</p> <p><strong>6. <em>The End of the Affair</em> written by Graham Greene, read by Colin Firth</strong></p> <p>Who wouldn’t want to be read to by Colin Firth? The Oscar-winning actor gives a rousing performance in this audiobook about a torrid love affair set in post-WWII London.</p> <p>To hear a sample and to buy it, click <a href="https://www.audible.com.au/pd/Fiction/The-End-of-the-Affair-Audiobook/B00VX91BPU" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">here</span></strong></a>.</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, are you a fan of audiobooks? Which is your favourite?</p>

Books