Bessie (2015)
Bessie is an HBO TV drama film about the American blues singer Bessie Smith. The film premiered on May 16, 2015. The film is directed by Dee Rees, and screenplay by himself, Christopher Cleveland and Bettina Gilois. Queen Latifah[1]
Bessie Smith began to sing at a young age and in 1923 signed a contract with Columbia Records. Soon she was among the highest-paid Black performers of her time with hits like "Downhearted Blues." By the end of the 1920s, however, her popularity had lessened, though she continued to perform and made new recordings at the start of the Swing Era. Her comeback and life were cut short when she died on September 26, 1937, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident outside of Clarksdale, Mississippi. Jazz and blues vocalist Bessie Smith's powerful, soulful voice won her countless fans and earned her the title "Empress of the Blues." Since her death, Smith’s music continues to win over new fans, and collections of her songs have continued to sell extremely well over the years. She has been a primary influence for countless female vocalists and has been immortalized in numerous works including this movie.[2]
Synopsis
This film is about Bessie Smith's journey that focuses on her transformation as a struggling young singer into "The Empress of the Blues". Start from her childhood, joining blues music group secretly, successful career within the up and down until he finally get back up again as the Empress herself.
Black Empower
Bessie Inspire a lot of black musician especially in blues, teaches us about pride, humble and strong mental in chasing dreams no matter how negative act of racism she confront. some of it is when Bessie makes her own opportunities. She created her big break by marching onto blues legend Ma Rainey's train—uninvited—and flat-out asking to join her show. Or when she isn't afraid to stand up to anyone. Not a man who calls her a "fat bitch" (who she boxes in the ears). Not a white man who tells her he's writing a book called "N—r Heaven" (she throws a drink in his face). And not even the KKK, who try to burn down her performance tent—until she gets them to turn right around.
She strong enough to get back up from her rock-bottom. Her husband Jack Gee left her. He took away her son. Her career bottomed out when the Great Depression hit. And she was losing her battle with alcoholism. But Bessie found a way to persevere, heal, and make it back to the stage where she belonged which then make her The Empress of the Blues.[3]
Controversy
Her stage ambitions are frustrated by producers unwilling to feature dark-skinned Black women in their shows. Even during her success, Bessie encounters difficulties, including a stabbing attack after a show in her hometown, racism from white guests during an affluent party, and an attack during her show by the [Bessie encounters difficulties, including a stabbing attack after a show in her hometown, racism from white guests during an affluent party, and an attack during her show by the Ku Klux Klan, whom she courageously chases off Ku Klux Klan], whom she courageously chases off[4]