Bessie (HBO)

About Bessie (HBO)

Produced by HBO, "Bessie" aired in 2015 as an American television biographical drama film. It tells the story of acclaimed African American blues singer, Bessie Smith. The movie explores Bessie's transformation from a struggling young singer into "The Empress of the Blues", who became one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and is an enduring icon today.

Making/Production

Directed by Dee Rees, who co-wrote the script with Christopher Cleveland and Bettina Gilois, Bessie was made by HBO Films. The film showcases excellent production design that depicts the period setting beautifully, and the somewhat turbulent personality of the blues legend is brought to life commendably.

Actors

• Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith: Queen Latifah delivers a powerful and moving performance, portraying Bessie's can-do attitude and tumultuous life with honesty and flair.
• Michael Kenneth Williams as Jack Gee: Williams played Smith's old-fashioned and protective husband who had troubles accepting his wife’s bisexual lifestyle.
• Khandi Alexander as Viola Smith: Alexander effectively portrayed Bessie's older sister, who was harsh, deeply religious and disapproving of her lifestyle.

Trivia/Interesting Facts

• Queen Latifah was attached to the project for over 20 years before it finally came to fruition.
• The film was shot in Atlanta, Georgia because it doubled well for the 1920s setting.
• The film took over ten years to make due to difficulties in securing rights and finding members to play the characters.

Awards

Bessie won several awards, including the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie. Queen Latifah herself won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie for her performance in the film.

Quotes

• "It ain't but one kind of blues and that consists of a male and female that's in love." - Bessie Smith (Queen Latifah)
• "I don’t want no piano player man, unless that man’s all mine!" - Bessie Smith (Queen Latifah)

Music/Soundtrack

• "Young Woman's Blues" by Bessie Smith
• "Preachin' the Blues" by Bessie Smith
• "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" by Angelo Ferdinando and His Hotel Great Northern Orchestra