闘病中のセリーヌ・ディオンさん、自身のドキュメンタリー上映会に登場

【ニューヨークＡＦＰ＝時事】米ニューヨーク・マンハッタンで１７日、カナダのポップ・ミュージック界の大スター、セリーヌ・ディオンさん（５６）のドキュメンタリーがプレミア上映され、現在闘病中のディオンさんがレッドカーペットに登場し、「パフォーマーとしての情熱は決して消えない」と断言した。（写真は、米ニューヨークで、『アイ・アム セリーヌ・ディオン～病との戦いの中で～』のプレミア上映会に出席したセリーヌ・ディオンさん）
　映画『アイ・アム セリーヌ・ディオン～病との戦いの中で～』は、ディオンさんの輝かしいキャリアと、神経性の疾患、スティッフパーソン症候群を患ってからの最近の闘病生活を描いている。
　ディオンさんは、映画の中で自身の病気について話す決断は「最大の贈り物であり、最大の責任」でもあると話し、同じような障害に阻まれている人々の力になりたいと語っている。
　ディオンさんは、スティッフパーソン症候群と診断されたことを２０２２年１２月に公表。予定されていた公演の中止を余儀なくされた。
　映画は、ディオンさんのそうした苦しみも描いているが、軸になっているのは家族と友人、音楽への愛だ。
　作品中では、自分のパフォーマンスのために高額なチケットを購入し、長い列をつくってくれるファンのために、ピカピカしたリンゴの実を実らせなければならないといつも思っていたと吐露している。
　しかし最近、ファンの一人から「私たちはリンゴの実が欲しくているわけではない。木のためにいるのです」と伝えられたと涙ながらに紹介。
　自身の家族と医療チーム、ファンへの感謝を述べ、「終わらない闘いだとしても、一日、一日を大切に」と話し、総立ちで拍手を送るファンに対して「この映画は、皆さん一人ひとりへの私からのラブレターです」「すぐにまた、皆さんにお会いできるのを願っています」と呼び掛けた。
　作品は今月２５日からアマゾンプライムビデオで世界配信される。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/06/19-16:30）

Celine Dion vowed Monday her passion as a performer will never disappear, despite health struggles she says are still just a small part of her monumental story.
I'm not dead, the singer told AFP on the red carpet, ahead of the premiere of the both wrenching and joyful documentary I Am: Celine Dion.
The movie focuses on her soaring career and more recent challenges with a rare neurological disorder that has drastically hampered her ability to perform.
When life imposes something on you, you have two options. You deal with it or you don't want to deal with it, Dion said.
She called her decision to speak out about her condition in the documentary both the greatest gift and the greatest responsibility, saying she hoped it would inspire people with similar obstacles.
At one point ahead of the premiere the Quebec-born star switched to her native French, telling journalists that it's hard to be here. But at the same time, I'm so moved.
I feel that I still have a lot of support and a lot of love and I hope this documentary will help, because it helped me a lot, she said, detailing her gratitude to her family, her medical team and her fans.
Even if it's a forever fight, one day at a time.
- 'Authentic' -
The 56-year old first disclosed in December 2022 that she had been diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome, a progressive autoimmune disorder with no cure.
She was forced to cancel the remainder of her shows indefinitely.
Treatment can help alleviate symptoms of the condition that can cause stiff muscles in the torso, arms and legs.
Overstimulation can also trigger severe spasms, and can cause her voice to crack uncontrollably.
The show will still go on, she promised, but said it was important to be honest about the physical and emotional intensity of her condition.
Irene Taylor, the Academy Award-nominated director behind the film, told AFP that Dion's one ask was to be able to tell her own story, in her own words.
Would that be possible? Instead of other people talking about me? she recalled the superstar requesting.
That was like music to my ears as a storyteller, Taylor said.
She just opened up and was very authentic, the director continued. In her joy, and also in her suffering.
- 'Love letter' -
The intimate film features archival footage of the charismatic performer the world knows and loves, as well as tender scenes at home with her children and dogs that lend a quirky, cozy portrayal of Celine as a parent.
But the film also documents the severity of Dion's pain, including one lengthy sequence that shows with excruciating detail the singer suffering from a seizure, which renders her not only immobile but unable to speak.
The devastating episode left some in the screening audience audibly crying.
But the throughline of the documentary is less Dion's illness as it is her love for her family, friends and music.
She is visibly tormented by the loss of the voice she once knew, but it's her joy in life and an unshakeable sense of humor that shine through in the film.
The documentary about Dion -? who has sold more than 250 million albums throughout her decades-long career ?- will begin streaming globally on June 25 on Prime Video.
Earlier this year Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards, presenting the Album of the Year award to Taylor Swift.
But she has rarely appeared publicly since announcing she had SPS.
Speaking to the packed, enthusiastic hall in Manhattan ahead of the screening, Dion compared herself to an apple tree.
She also makes the metaphor in the film, saying that she's always felt she must produce shiny fruit for fans who were willing to pay large sums and wait in long lines for her performances.
Dion was moved to tears as she described a comment from a recent fan, who told her in a message that we're not here for the apples -? we're here for the tree.
This movie is my love letter to each of you, she said to a standing ovation.
And I hope to see you all again very soon.