- Film And TV
- 20 Oct 20
Set in Chicago in 1927, the musicians grapple with issues of race, music, relationships and the exploitation of Black recording artists.
The first trailer for Chadwick Boseman's final film, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, has dropped and shows the late actor suited up in a tuxedo performing the blues with his co-star Viola Davis.
The film is based on August Wilson’s award-winning play of the same name, and illustrates the tale of trailblazing blues artist Ma Rainey - played by Davis.
The late Boseman portrayed Ma’s band member Levee, an ambitious trumpeter who aspired to transform the Chicago music scene by putting a contemporary spin on traditional songs.
Directed by the Tony Award-winning George C. Wolfe of Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and Bring in ‘da Noise, Bring in ‘da Funk fame, he also previously served as the artistic director of The Public Theater.
Other cast members include Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo and Michael Potts, the flick was produced by Todd Black, Denzel Washington and Dany Wolf.
Boseman was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in 2016, with his illness later progressed to stage 4 ahead of his death on August 28 of this year.
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Although he never spoke publicly about his diagnosis, he worked through his treatment for much of his film career and his time playing superhero Black Panther in the Marvel series.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is set for release on December 18 on Netflix.
Watch the impressive trailer below: