European major LEONINE Studios reveals first look on its international biopic Girl You Know It’s True, which tells the story of the meteoric rise and fall of elusive duo, Milli Vanilli. Newcomers Tijan Njie from Germany and Elan Ben Ali from France are set to portray the lead roles of the Milli Vanilli frontmen Robert Pilatus and Fabrice Morvan, following a year of intense casting across five countries.
The film surrounds the true story of the notorious scandal involving dancers Robert Pilatus’ and Fabrice Morvan’s rise to fame as the 1908s pop sensation, Milli Vanilli. Orchestrated by their music producer, Frank Farian, they became global stars with three No. 1 hits in the US. But only a few know that the two never sang a note, only lip syncing to two other artists.
The title echoes Milli Vanilli’s 1989 break-out hit Girl You Know It’s True, originally written by the US Hip-Hop group Numarx and later covered by successful music producer Frank Farian.
At the height of their fame, they with a Grammy Award. But as their fame grows, so does the pressure. When the truth is revealed, they stare into the abyss while the world witnesses one of the biggest scandals in music history.
Matthias Schweighöfer (Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer) will star as German music producer Frank Farian. The cast also includes Graham Rogers (The Kominsky Method) as Milli Vanilli’s US assistant Todd and Bella Dayne (Troy – Fall of a City) as Milli, Farian’s right-hand.
The film’s writer and director Simon Verhoeven says:
“Girl You Know It’s True is captivating on so many levels. It not only tells the spectacular rise of two underdogs making it to the zenith of showbiz within one summer, it also gives a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of that illusory world of fame and its sometimes tragic and unscrupulous machinations. Personally, I think Rob and Fab did not deserve to become the sole scapegoats of this scandal.”
Milli Vanilli’s producer Frank Farian is a co-producer for the film alongside associate producers Jasmin Davis, daughter of the late John Davis, and Brad Howell, who were the true voices of Milli Vanilli and invaluable consultants in the development phase. Carmen Pilatus, sister of the late Rob Pilatus, Milli Vanilli’s former assistant Todd Headlee, and Ingrid Segieth aka Milli, Frank Farian’s right-hand, are also attached as associate producers.
Quirin Berg, Chief Creative Officer and Chief Production Officer of LEONINE Studios:
“Girl You Know It’s True comes from the heart of a decade when MTV planted its flag on the moon and we were able to see music, not just listen to it. Our film celebrates Rob and Fab and what they achieved with Milli Vanilli and at the same time Simon’s fantastic screenplay also captures the complexity and ultimately tragic dimension that came with it.”
Principle production will take place in Munich and Berlin (Germany), Cape Town (South Africa), and Los Angeles (USA). Filming will wrap in December 2022.
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