As a poignant vocalist and incredible songwriter, Billie Holiday is easily one of the most influential jazz singers of all time. Her life and works will make their way to the premium streaming service Hulu in the newly anticipated film The United States vs. Billie Holiday. Set to deliver the same dramatic intensity as ‘Lady Day’ is the multitalented Andra Day.
The film follows Holiday as she navigates the music industry, deals with personal struggles, openly explores her sexuality, and gets involved in the Civil Rights Movements. All while continuing to deliver amazing music with grace.
The critically acclaimed director Lee Daniels collaborated with Prada to bring Holiday’s timeless style to screen. We see Day dressed in beautiful gowns throughout the trailer, which seem to completely mirror Holiday’s style in real life.
“Strange Fruit,” one of Holidays hauntingly beautiful songs is played throughout the trailer. This song metaphorically discusses the lynching of Black people, referring to them as “strange fruit.” During the time, the government saw the song as radical, to which Day responds “You think I’m going to stop singing that song? Your grandkids will be singing Strange Fruit.”
Day delivers a powerful portrayal of Holiday in the biopic The United States vs. Billie Holiday. We will see her alongside Natasha Lyonne, Trevante Rhodes, LaKeith Stanfield, and many more well-known faces in Hollywood.
