HOLLYWOOD - Legendary record label Motown has received a public apology from the makers of Academy Award-nominated musical
Dreamgirls, in two advertisements that stress the film is "fictional."
Movie studio DreamWorks placed the full-page ads in trade papers Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter and apologized to Motown boss Berry Gordy for "any confusion."
Motown and some of its artists, including Smokey Robinson, had complained
Dreamgirls negatively misrepresented the soul label, while many saw the movie as thinly veiled reconstruction of the career of Motown group The Supremes.
The ad reads: "
Dreamgirls is a work of fiction. It is also an homage to Motown.
"For any confusion that has resulted from our fictional work, we apologize to Mr. Gordy and all of the incredible people who were part of that great legacy.
"It is vital that the public understand that the real Motown story has yet to be told."
A satisfied Gordy says, "I applaud DreamWorks and (parent company) Paramount Pictures for doing their part to clearly differentiate the fictional movie
Dreamgirls from the real Motown. I wish them all the best in the forthcoming Academy Awards."
Dreamgirls has been nominated for eight Oscars including Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress for Eddie Murphy and Jennifer Hudson, respectively.
http://www.hollywood.com/news/Motown_Receives_Apology_from_Dreamgirls_Filmmakers/3660788
