New Featurettes To HBO’s Bessie With Queen Latifah, Mo’Nique, Michael K. WilliamsPosted by Wilson Morales
May 15, 2015
HBO has released some pics, clips, and featurettes for BESSIE, which is scheduled to debut SATURDAY, MAY 16 at 8:00 p.m. (ET/PT) on HBO.
Starring Oscar nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) in the title role, BESSIE focuses on legendary blues singer Bessie 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.
Directed by Dee Rees from a screenplay by Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois, with a story by Rees and Horton Foote, BESSIE is executive produced by Richard D. Zanuck, Lili Fini Zanuck, Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel. Ron Schmidt produces.
The film also stars Michael Kenneth Williams as Bessie’s husband, Jack Gee; Khandi Alexander as Bessie’s older sister, Viola; Tory Kittles as Bessie’s older brother, Clarence; Mike Epps as Richard, a bootlegger and romantic interest; Tika Sumpter as Lucille, a performer and romantic interest; Oliver Platt as famed photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten; Bryan Greenberg as renowned record producer and music critic John Hammond; with Charles S. Dutton as Ma Rainey’s husband, William “Pa” Rainey; and Oscar winner Mo’Nique as blues legend Ma Rainey.
Full Trailer
Trailer 2
Queen Latifah as Bessie
Mo’Nique as blues legend Ma Rainey
Michael Kenneth Williams as Bessie’s husband, Jack Gee
Khandi Alexander as Bessie’s older sister, Viola
Tika Sumpter as Lucille, a performer and romantic interest
Mike Epps as Richard, a bootlegger and romantic interest
Tory Kittles as Bessie’s older brother, Clarence
Clip 1 – Lost Your Head Blues
Clip 2 – Weepin’ Women Blues
Clip 3 – Preachin’ The Blues
Clip 4 – Long Old Road
Featurette – The Music of Bessie
Featurette – The Art of Writing and Directing
