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Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) stars as the title character, legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in this HBO Original Movie that focuses on her 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. Premiering Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 10pm on HBO / HBO HD (Astro Ch 411 / 431), BESSIE will also be available on Astro On The Go from May 25.
With a story by Dee Rees and Horton Foote, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees (“Pariah”) from a screenplay by Dee Rees, Christopher Cleveland and Bettina Gilois, 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.
QUEEN LATIFAH STARS IN HBO ORIGINAL MOVIE BESSIE THE STORY OF ICONIC BLUES SINGER BESSIE SMITH DEBUTING MAY 17 ON HBO
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.
The talented cast of BESSIE includes Michael Kenneth Williams (“12 Years a Slave”) as Bessie’s husband, Jack; Khandi Alexander (HBO’s “Treme”) as Bessie’s older sister, Viola; Mike Epps (“The Hangover”) as Richard, a bootlegger and romantic interest; Tory Kittles (HBO’s “True Detective”) as Bessie’s older brother, Clarence; Tika Sumpter (“Ride Along”) as Lucille, a performer and romantic interest; Oliver Platt (“X-Men: First Class”) as famed photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten; Bryan Greenberg (“Friends with Benefits”) as renowned record producer and music critic John Hammond; with Charles S. Dutton (“Alien 3”) as Ma Rainey’s husband, William “Pa” Rainey; and Oscar® winner Mo’Nique (“Precious”) as blues legend Ma Rainey.
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.”
BESSIE marks a return to HBO for the star, following her Golden Globe- and SAG Award-winning performance in HBO Original Movie, Life Support.
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.
BESSIE, an HBO presentation of A Flavor Unit Entertainment Production and A Zanuck Company Production, was filmed in Atlanta.
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