About The United States vs. Billie Holiday

"The United States vs. Billie Holiday" can be considered as a biographical drama film. The movie was directed by Lee Daniels and is based upon the life of Billie Holiday, a famous Jazz singer. More specifically, the film explores the period of Holiday's life where she was targeted by the federal department of narcotics, led by Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair.

Making / Production

The film was released in 2021 and directed by the acclaimed director, Lee Daniels, best known for his works such as Empire and Precious. The screenplay was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, and is based on the book "Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs" by Johann Hari.

Actors

• Andra Day portrays the role of Billie Holiday. This is Day's debut acting role and she brings a raw intensity and vulnerability to the character, capturing both her spirit and her suffering.
• Trevante Rhodes plays the Federal Agent, Jimmy Fletcher. Rhodes brings depth to this complex character, allowing audiences to see his internal struggle between duty and love.
• Natasha Lyonne takes on the role of Tallulah Bankhead. Lyonne infuses the character with a sharp wit and charm.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is based on a section of the book "Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of War on Drugs" by Johann Hari.
• Andra Day's mesmerizing performance won her the Best Actress award at the Golden Globe awards.
• Lee Daniels was also drawn towards the story not only because of his own experiences with substance misuse but also because of how the government's war on drugs affected the black community.

Awards

The film received widespread acclaim for Andra Day's performance, who won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama. This makes Andra Day the second African American to win in this category.

Quotes

• "You think I'm going to stop singing that song? Your grandkids will be singing 'Strange Fruit.'"
• "The reporters keep asking me, Billie, why do you do the things you do? This is what I tell 'em, I love me."
• "They're going to come for you, but you can't care."

Music, Soundtrack

• "All of Me" - Performed by Andra Day
• "Ain't Nobody's Business" - Performed by Andra Day
• "Strange Fruit" - Performed by Andra Day