Billie (2019)

  • NR
  • 09/05/2019 (US)
  • Documentary, Music
  • 1h 36m

She sang the truth, she paid the price

Overview

‘Lady Day’ was one of the greatest jazz vocalists the world ever heard. In 1971, journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl set out to write the definitive biography of Billie Holiday. Before her mysterious death in 1978, Lipnack Kuehl had taped over 200 hours of interviews. The tapes have never been heard. Now they form the basis of an atmospheric, multi-layered documentary that captures the many complex facets of a proud black woman, violent drug addict, loyal friend, vindictive lover and unforgettable singer of ‘God Bless The Child’, ‘Saddest Tale’ and the haunting ‘Strange Fruit’.

James Erskine

Director, Writer

Cast

Billie Holiday's headshot

Billie Holiday

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Tony Bennett's headshot

Tony Bennett

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Count Basie's headshot

Count Basie

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Charles Mingus's headshot

Charles Mingus

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