lee daniels
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Exclusive: I Spent a (Lady) Day on the Set of Lee Daniels' The United States vs. Billie Holiday
On a brisk day in Montreal, Quebec in November 2019, I entered the sound stage for the production of The United States vs. Billie Holiday. In turn, I also entered the eccentric world of director Lee Daniels, who noted that he chose Montreal because it was the closest resemblance to a past Harlem that doesn’t…
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Watch: The United States vs. Billie Holiday Trailer Debuts as a 'Call to Arms'
Billie Holiday and the art she created is forever relevant. While the anticipated film, The United States vs. Billie Holiday has gone through some distribution challenges perhaps the film ultimately debuting on a streaming platform at this time is divine order as we experience a global pandemic, a racially-charged uprising, political warfare and more. Directed…
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Hulu Acquires Lee Daniels’ The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Hulu is in the final stages in a deal for domestic distribution rights for Lee Daniels’ upcoming Billie Holiday biopic, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, starring “Rise Up” singer Andra Day. Per Variety, this move comes just in time for Oscar consideration, with other streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime all looking for…
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Fox Does Not Have a Sweet Tooth for the Empire Spinoff About Cookie, So It's Being Shopped Elsewhere
Fox, the original broadcast home of Empire, apparently isn’t too hungry for its breakout character, Cookie. Well, the network isn’t too interested in hosting her own leading series, that is. According to Deadline, Fox is not moving forward with the previously reported Empire spinoff starring Taraji P. Henson, which is set to focus on Cookie.…
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Terry McMillan Confirmed 'Waiting to Exhale Is Going to be a TV Series'—Is He Still a Good Man, Savannah?
It’s time to exhale because the long wait for a continuation of Waiting to Exhale is here! But it’s not the previously discussed feature film sequel; it’s a different format altogether. Terry McMillan, who wrote the 1992 novel Waiting to Exhale, has confirmed that a TV series based on her book and the subsequent film…
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The Academy Launches New Series to Discuss Race and Gender Equity in Filmmaking
Since the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless others this year, so much has materialized, including a “racial reckoning” of sorts. Large companies and gatekeepers across a myriad of industries have continuously been held accountable for their past and current transgressions in a very loud and public way. It’s clear: The people need…
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'Billie Holiday Is Probably One of Our First Civil Rights Leaders': Lee Daniels Discusses His Upcoming Biopic at The Root Institute
It’s been nearly 50 years since the debut of Lady Sings the Blues, which was a huge inspiration for writer-director-producer Lee Daniels—so much so, that he is now directing his own biographical drama about the iconic Billie Holiday, The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Through her art—especially her stirring song, “Strange Fruit”—Holiday became pivotal in…
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Ava DuVernay Gets Real About How Art Can Shape Perceptions at The Root Institute
A visionary film director with an activist’s spirit, Ava DuVernay makes art that is rooted in her conscious. From limited miniseries like When They See Us, to TV dramas like Queen Sugar, to summer blockbusters like A Wrinkle in Time and documentaries, like The 13th, DuVernay crafts narratives with her people—and their past, present, and…
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Lee Daniels Discusses How He Juxtaposes Art With Activism at The Root Institute
Lee Daniels has something to say. Known for the dramatic flair sprinkled throughout his art, the writer-director-producer never shies away from controversial and emotional topics as has been displayed in his works such as Empire, Star and Precious. Daniels has routinely prioritized the importance of telling real and gritty stories within the Black community, especially…
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Who's Who at The Root Institute
The Root Institute Want to keep track of all the folks participating in The Root Institute virtual conference this year? Here’s a handy guide of the who’s-who joining in the conversations this year. Danielle C. Belton An award-winning journalist, Danielle Belton is the Editor-in-Chief of The Root. Before joining The Root, Belton was Editor-At-Large for…