‘The United States vs Billie Holiday’: Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all about Hulu film on iconic Jazz singer
A month after a documentary on legendary Jazz singer Billie Holiday titled ‘Billie’ was released, a brand new movie on the jazz icon is already here to enthrall you with a new plot. The movie titled ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ will focus on the personal and professional life of the singer.
The official Twitter account of the movie also shared a short video snippet. They captioned the post: “Her voice would not be silenced. Experience @AndraDayMusic as Billie Holiday in 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday,' directed by @leedanielsent. Premieres February 26, only on @hulu. #USvsBillieHoliday.”
Her voice would not be silenced. Experience @AndraDayMusic as Billie Holiday in 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday,' directed by @leedanielsent. Premieres February 26, only on @hulu. #USvsBillieHoliday pic.twitter.com/qXB6Opz3Qs
— The U.S. vs. Billie Holiday (@USvsBillie) January 11, 2021
Billie Holiday, whose real name was Eleanora Fagan, also went by the nickname of “Lady Day” and her music career lasted for 26 years. Holiday died in 1959 and won four Grammy awards all posthumously. The legendary Jazz singer was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1973. A movie on her life called ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ was released in 1972 with Diana Ross in the lead.
Release date
'The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ was first supposed to release on February 12, 2021, under the banner of Paramount Pictures. However, Hulu then acquired the movie rights and now the film will see the light of the day on February 26, 2021.
Plot
The upcoming biographical drama will shed light on Billie’s career as she gets targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics with an undercover sting operation led by Black federal agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair, as reported by IMDb. The trailer also focuses how on she gets unconditional love from the audience but gets in trouble with the authorities for her protest song ‘Strange Fruit’, which talks about racism and brutality that was happening at the time.
Cast
The role of Billie Holiday will be portrayed by singer-songwriter and actor Andra Day while Trevante Rhodes will play the role of Jimmy Fletcher in the upcoming flick. We will also see Garrett Hedlund in a prominent role. Apart from the main cast, actors Natasha Lyonne, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Evan Ross, Dana Gourrier, Erik LaRay Harvey, Melvin Gregg and Miss Lawrence will be seen in supporting roles.
Andra Day
The 36-year-old multi-talented artist released her debut album, ‘Cheers to the Fall’, in 2015 which peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard 200 chart. Her album and album's main single, 'Rise Up’, was nominated at the 2016 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Performance respectively.
Trevante Rhodes
The 30-year-old actor is best known for his performance as Chiron in the Academy Award-winning film ‘Moonlight'. He was also featured on Calvin Klein's 2017 Spring underwear campaign along with ‘Moonlight’ star cast. He also appeared in Jay-Z's music video ‘Family Feud'.
Garrett Hedlund
The 36-year-old actor model and singer is known for his roles in critically and commercially acclaimed movies such as ‘Troy’, ‘Mudbound’, ‘Tron: Legacy’, 'Unbroken’ and ‘Country Strong’, among others.
Creators
'The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ is helmed by Lee Daniels and is based on the book ‘Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs’ by Johann Hari. According to Deadline, Jordan Fudge, Daniels, Pamela Oas Williams, Tucker Tooley, Joe Roth and Jeff Kirschenbaum are the producers on the film. Hilary Shor, Jeremy Allen, Patty Long, Johann Hari, Cassian Elwes, Mark Bomback and Dennis Stratton are serving as executive producers.
Trailer
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