Whitney Houston's sister-in-law and former manager has broken her silence about Angela Bassett's biopic of the late star, accusing the actress of "misrepresenting" the term friendship to promote her directorial debut.

Whitney debuted to mixed reviews when it aired on Tv in America on Saturday night (17Jan15) and a day later, Houston's family is speaking out about the movie, which features Yaya DaCosta as the tragic singer.

In a statement posted on Whitney Houston's official website, Pat Houston takes aim at the Tv executives behind the unauthorised biopic and director Bassett, who appeared alongside the late singer in Waiting to Exhale.

She writes, "If you watch this movie, watch it knowing that Lifetime (Tv network) is notorious for making bad biopics of deceased celebrities and brace yourself for the worst. You should not be surprised that someone decided to do a made for Tv biopic. And, I might add, without the family’s blessing and despite her mother’s request to not do this movie. It happens every day."

Turning on Bassett, she adds, "Misrepresenting the term friendship to advance an agenda is not only disrespectful and dishonest but a slap in the face to her true and loyal friends. You should expect people will always rise to the occasion for prominence and profit - not love, respect or honor."

Pat Houston also reveals her daughter has been pestered by school friends and teachers about her thoughts about the biopic, adding, "She was somewhat exasperated and said she did not get it - that a woman who claimed to be her aunt's friend (Bassett) would direct a movie that seems so unloving towards her Aunt.

"I share with you the thoughts I shared with my daughter yesterday - that there is often a fine line that separates elevation and degradation in the industry. What lifts up one person in the headlines may in fact destroy another. I don't think it ever entered their minds that they were assaulting the legacy of another individual; they just want the job or the opportunity to shine."

Meanwhile, Whitney's mother Cissy Houston, who has been against the project since it was announced last year (14) and boycotted the recent premiere, admits she's glad the film has now been released to Tv.

She says, "I hope from now on her (Houston) fans will keep her child (Bobbi Kristina Brown) in their prayers, and I hope people will let my child rest."

Last week (ends16Jan15), Bassett revealed Houston's cousin Dionne Warwick had seen the movie and told the first-time director, "This will be a good thing".