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Bessie

Bessie

Survival began with a song
May 16, 2015 1h 47m
6.4
120 votes

Synopsis

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

Title Bessie
Companies The Zanuck Company, Flavor Unit Entertainment, HBO Films
Countries United States of America
Keywords blues, lgbt, woman director, black lgbt, lesbian
Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

Bessie Smith
Mo'Nique

Mo'Nique

Ma Rainey
Charles S. Dutton

Charles S. Dutton

William 'Pa' Rainey
Bryan Greenberg

Bryan Greenberg

John Hammond
Oliver Platt

Oliver Platt

Carl Van Vechten
Joe Knezevich

Joe Knezevich

Frank Walker
Jeremie Harris

Jeremie Harris

Langston Hughes
Jennifer Sears

Jennifer Sears

Ma's Main Girl
Crystal Lee Brown

Crystal Lee Brown

Bessie's Dancer
Terence Rosemore

Terence Rosemore

Detroit Theater Manager
L. Warren Young

L. Warren Young

Sharkish Man
Tia Hendricks

Tia Hendricks

Doreen Dupree
Whitney Goin

Whitney Goin

Fania Van Vechten
Neko Parham

Neko Parham

Rehearsal Director
Alkoya Brunson

Alkoya Brunson

Swarm Boy #2
Todd Allen Durkin

Todd Allen Durkin

Night Club Owner
Swift Rice

Swift Rice

Stage Hand
Jessejames Locorriere

Jessejames Locorriere

Vanity Fair Editor
Onira Tarés

Onira Tarés

Chorus Girl #1
Jhoni Davis

Jhoni Davis

Chorus Girl #2
Marie Burke

Marie Burke

Etta Johnson
Levi Erik

Levi Erik

Benny Goodman
Nicole Spiezio

Nicole Spiezio

Marguerite d'Alvarez
Briana Starks

Briana Starks

Ma's Dancer
Tray Williams

Tray Williams

Stage Crew (uncredited)