Friday, January 16, 2015

Queen Latifah Stars In Bessie






            Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO Films drama BESSIE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees (“Pariah”) from a screenplay by Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith’s transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today.

Debuting this spring, BESSIE is executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Lili Fini Zanuck, Richard D. Zanuck, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel. Ron Schmidt produces.
The Cast includes, Michael Kenneth Williams,Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter,
       Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, With Charles S. Dutton And Mo’Nique

BESSIE offers an intimate look at the determined woman whose immense talent and love for music took her from anonymity in the rough-and-tumble world of vaudeville to the 1920s blues scene and international fame. Capturing Bessie’s professional highs and personal lows, the film paints a portrait of a tenacious spirit who, despite her own demons, became a celebrated legend.

Throughout the years, Bessie Smith has served as an inspiration for such illustrious singers as Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Nina Simone, among others.

 A labor of love for the filmmakers, BESSIE has been 22 years in the making. The first draft was written by celebrated playwright Horton Foote. Queen Latifah was approached by producers Richard and Lili Fini Zanuck to take on the role of Bessie when she was just launching her acting career. She eventually came on board as an executive producer, along with producing partner Shakim Compere.

  Says Latifah, “I have been excited about this project since the very beginning. When          HBO got involved, we were thrilled and we worked together to make something that               would capture Bessie’s life honestly and respectfully.”

Director Dee Rees, whom the New York Times selected as “One of the 20 Directors to Watch” and Filmmaker Magazine called one of “25 New Faces of Independent Film,” caught HBO’s attention with the buzz around her award-winning film, “Pariah,” a much-talked-about hit at the Sundance Film Festival. Rees brought that same power of a raw and personal perspective to the writing of the script for BESSIE. Her singular sensibility and passion made Rees the perfect choice to direct the film.
           

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