But Korem made clear to Morvan and other sources his intent to explore the many often contradictory sides of the story. “The truth lies somewhere in between,” he says. “To Fab’s credit, we didn’t show this film to anybody until it was already picture locked. This was not a PR biopic by any means. We let the audience decide for themselves.”
The hardest part, however, was “was dealing with a story that people think they already know,” Korem says. “This is not just like a pop doc. We’re going to take you on a real visceral journey.”
That’s something Morvan felt the first time he saw the film at the Tribeca Festival this summer: “I felt a hand come around my neck and squeeze. I could feel the pressure.” But that sensation dissipated once he saw the audience’s reactions. “You could see their tears, and they came to hug me. I’m happy because finally people are going to feel what we felt. When you’re famous, the fact that you’re a human being goes out of the equation.”
The pop songs that rocketed them to stardom serve as the soundtrack this emotional ride—and they’re as infectious and fun as they were 30 years ago. Morvan has actually been performing for years in America (occasionally with the real voice behind Milli Vanilli, the late John Davis), and the slow jam “Girl, I’m Gonna Miss You” is still a crowd favorite. “It has everything to do with those gospel chords nestled within the groove. En français on dit intemporel—it doesn’t age, it’s a classic.”
Also retaining their power are the pair’s youthful looks—chiseled faces, disarming gazes, perfect braids—that captivated the world all those years ago, as well as the fashions that made them style icons: leather jackets, ripped jeans, sharp blazers, tight tank tops, and, of course, biker shorts. “That was just a comfort thing,” Morvan says of the pair’s signature item. “It was just easy—you only had to worry about changing out the top.” Korem points out that in his interviews with Morvan, “I would ask him to go back in time and the first thing he would say was what he was wearing.”
Growing up, Morvan wanted to be a fashion designer, inspired by the high-drama fashion shows of the ’70s and ’80s. (Once crossing paths with Karl Lagerfeld at an airport, Morvan says the legendary designer remarked approvingly, “Mm, stylish.”) And although his wardrobe from that era is now safely stored away, he agrees that many of Milli Vanilli’s inimitable styles would still work today. “He can still pull off the Spandex,” Korem grins, gesturing at the singer’s lean frame.