Pablo Torre Finds Out The Banned Prince Documentary: Director Ezra Edelman Speaks (PTFO Vault)
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Aug 28, 2025 
Ezra Edelman, an Oscar-winning director known for his work on "O.J.: Made in America", reveals the untold story behind his nearly five-year endeavor to create a documentary on Prince—shelved despite its nine-hour masterpiece potential. He discusses the ethical dilemmas filmmakers face while exploring Prince's intricate legacy, artistic struggles, and the challenges of storytelling under tight editorial control. The conversation blends humor with deeper insights on navigating the complexities of documenting cultural icons while remaining true to their authentic selves.
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A Finished Masterpiece Shelved
- Ezra Edelman spent nearly five years making a nine-hour Prince documentary that Netflix will not release.
- The film exists as a finished but inaccessible work, creating a unique cultural and artistic loss.
Mapping Prince's Hidden Through-Line
- Edelman aimed to trace Prince's evolution from teenage prodigy to the man who died of a drug overdose.
- He sought a through-line connecting Prince's eras to explain how his persona and private life collided.
Personal Tragedy Shaped Prince
- Ezra recounts Prince and Maite Garcia's baby born with Pfeiffer syndrome and the family's decision to remove life support.
- Interviewees said Prince interpreted the tragedy as punishment and it weighed heavily on him.