Bessie

"Survival began with a song"

2015 1h 47m EN

😐

6.4

MID

★6.4TMDB · 133

DramaMusicTV Movie

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.

“Survival began with a song”

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Where to watch · US

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Cast

Queen Latifah
Bessie Smith
Mo'Nique
Ma Rainey
Mike Epps
Richard
Tika Sumpter
Lucille
Michael Kenneth Williams
Jack Gee
Charles S. Dutton
William 'Pa' Rainey
Bryan Greenberg
John Hammond
Oliver Platt
Carl Van Vechten

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Dee Rees
Writers: Bettina Gilois, Horton Foote, Dee Rees
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 11 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Dee Rees, shot by Jeffrey Jur. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Rachel Portman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Brian A. Kates shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Queen Latifah and Mo'Nique and Mike Epps carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Survival began with a song".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt3704352 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Dee Rees directs. Jeffrey Jur behind the camera. Rachel Portman scores. Brian A. Kates cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 11 years ago.
2Directed by Dee Rees, shot by Jeffrey Jur. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Rachel Portman. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Brian A. Kates shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Queen Latifah and Mo'Nique and Mike Epps carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "Survival began with a song".
7IMDB entry: tt3704352 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.