The beloved director, Lee Daniels, will focus on the life and legendary story of jazz and civil rights activist Billie Holiday. The new release will debut on Feb 26th.
Monday, audiences had the chance to view the complete first look at Andra Day as Billie Holiday with the first trailer’s release.
The biopic is entitled, The United States vs. Billie Holiday. The movie gives a first look into the well-respected and legendary jazz vocalist’s intimate and hidden journey. The film portrays a ferocious pioneer whose disobedience through music helped usher in the civil rights movement.
For many who don’t know, Ms. Billie Holiday rose to fame historically in the Harlem nightclub scene. During the year 1938, she became the first black woman to perform in front of an all-white band. She later recorded legendary songs such as “God Bless the Child, and I’ll Be Seeing You.”
The film doesn’t just focus on the early years of Bille’s journey in music. It also showcases her very personal struggle on and off the stage. It especially focuses on the creation of the 1939 song about lynching which was entitled ‘Strange Fruit,” which later made her a target regarding the FBI.
Ultimately, in 1959, she died due to years of drug and alcohol-related illness and complications at the tender age of 44. She continues to be remembered, Diana Ross portrayed her in 1972’s “Lady Sing the Blues.”
Overall, her story and musical gift live on. This soon-to-be biopic is sure to be one for the books; finally an accurate portrayal of the one and only Billie Holiday.
Featured Image via Hulu
Amanda Miller is an upcoming novelist and contributor writer of Femi Magazine and other digital platforms. She’s a born Canadian with Caribbean roots and a full-time student. Amanda holds an associate degree in English Literature and soon a Bachelor’s in Writing and Rhetoric. Making her a freshman of this semester. She’s also a survivor and warrior of Epilepsy seizure disorder for the last twenty-five years. A Lover of music and an avid reader
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