Bessie

Year
2015
Description
Cast includes Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tori Kittles, Queen Latifah, Mo'nique, and Michael Kenneth Williams.
Dramatized biography of blues legend Bessie Smith (played by Queen Latifah), who was ruthless in business, crossed the color barrier to become one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s, and was open about her bisexuality.
Director
Rees, Dee
Writer
Cleveland, Christopher; Gilois, Bettina; Rees, Dee
Producer
Schmidt, Ron
Cinematographer
Jur, Jeffrey
Editor
Kates, Brian A.
Production Team
HBO Films, Flavor Unit Entertainment, Zanuck Company, and HBO Home Video
Genre
Television Movie
Drama
Source
Based on real-life events
Language
English
Media Format
1 DVD (135 min.), 1 Blu-ray disc (135 min.), or 1 streaming video (135 min.)
Type
Color
Additional Content
The DVD and Blu-ray disc include the featurette "Bessie: A Creative Journey," which discusses making the film and includes interviews with the cast and crew.
Production Notes
Broadcast on the HBO television network on May 16, 2015.
Earned the 2015 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Movie and the 2015 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Movie. Queen Latifah received the 2015 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie for her portrayal of Bessie Smith, and Dee Rees was given the 2015 Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing of a Television Film.
Updated
03-21-2023

Production Information

Film Information

Reviews

Hollywood Reporter, May 11, 2015
Los Angeles Times, May 16, 2015
RogerEbert.com, May 15, 2015
Video Librarian, Nov.–Dec. 2015, 18

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