Billie

December 9 - 10: Wed-Thur 5:45

December 11 - 18:
Fri-Sat 5:45 / Sun 3:30 / Mon-Tue closed / Wed-Thu 5:45

(USA / 2019 / Directed by James Erskine)

This mesmerizing look at the magnificent Billie Holiday draws from the work of journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl, who set out to write a definitive biography of the singer in 1971. Over eight years, she taped over 200 hours of interviews with the extraordinary people who populated Holiday’s life, including Charles Mingus, Tony Bennet, Sylvia Syms, Count Basie, and more. But due to tragic events, her book was never finished and the tapes were never heard – until now.

Director James Erskine curates Linda’s unfinished passion project to give in-depth insights into Holiday via those who knew her best. Combining a treasure trove of interviews with stunning performances that have been restored in color for the first time, his film charts Holiday’s rise from tough beginnings to a star who commanded attention in every room. Yet despite becoming one of the highest paid Black artists in her lifetime, Holiday believed herself undeserving of the very happiness she ached destructively for and died penniless in 1959. Populated with soulful performances that deserve to be experienced on the big screen, Erskine’s film tells the story of a true original who crooned like no other and who helped to change the face of American music.

Unrated / 1 hr 36 mins.