A
Excellent
MASTER SCORE 75.3 / 100
2015Biography / Drama / Music1h 55m
BESSIE
“Survival began with a song”
The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.
Above the Line
Dee Rees·DirectorBettina Gilois·ScreenplayDee Rees·ScreenplayJeffrey Jur·Director of PhotographyRachel Portman·Original Music ComposerBrian A. Kates·Editor
Cast
Queen Latifah·Bessie SmithMo'Nique·Ma RaineyMike Epps·RichardTika Sumpter·LucilleMichael Kenneth Williams·Jack GeeCharles S. Dutton·William 'Pa' RaineyBryan Greenberg·John HammondOliver Platt·Carl Van VechtenKhandi Alexander·ViolaTory Kittles·Clarence
Full Crew(28 credits)
Full Crew
(28 credits)
Directing· 4
Dee Rees·DirectorMichael J. Moore·First Assistant DirectorBasti Van Der Woude·Second Assistant DirectorBrooke Satrazemis·Script Supervisor
Writing· 5
Bettina Gilois·ScreenplayHorton Foote·StoryDee Rees·StoryDee Rees·ScreenplayChristopher Cleveland·Screenplay
Camera· 1
Jeffrey Jur·Director of Photography
Editing· 1
Brian A. Kates·Editor
Sound & Music· 1
Rachel Portman·Original Music Composer
Art & Design· 5
Michael T. Boyd·Costume DesignDrew Monahan·Art DirectionClark Hunter·Production DesignTraci Kirshbaum·Set DecorationDebi Young·Makeup Department Head
Production· 10
Queen Latifah·Executive ProducerLili Fini Zanuck·Executive ProducerShelby Stone·Executive ProducerRandi Michel·Executive ProducerShakim Compere·Executive ProducerRichard D. Zanuck·Executive ProducerRon Schmidt·ProducerBilly Hopkins·CastingHallie Foote·Co-Executive ProducerRon Schmidt·Unit Production Manager
Other Departments· 1
Anderson Martin·Stunt Coordinator
By the Numbers
75.3
OF 100
Master Score
6.7
OF 10
IMDb
—
CRITICS
Rotten Tomatoes
—
Worldwide Gross
0
Oscar Wins
Where to Watch
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Poster DNA
THE VISUAL DECONSTRUCTION
A bespoke vision agent's reading of the design language behind Bessie's key art.
Dominant Palette
3 colors
#000000
#4F3126
#FFFFFF
Mood
Contemplative, Elegant
Composition
Floating
Era
1920s
Visual Style
Photographic
“The poster features a dark-skinned woman in profile, looking upwards with her eyes closed, against a solid black background. She wears a decorative, beaded head”
biographydramamusic
Key Elements
Beaded HeadbandDiamond Shaped Earring
Atmosphere
Dark
Color Mood
Neutral
Setting
Abstract
Design Score
8/10
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