WHO’S IN IT?

Viola Davis (Fences), Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther), Glynn Turman (How Stella Got Her Groove Back), Colman Domingo (If Beale Street Could Talk), Michael Potts (Let Me Make You a Martyr), Taylour Paige (Jean of the Joneses), Dusan Brown (42), Jonny Coyne (Gangster Squad), Jeremy Shamos (The Big Sick)

WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?

George C. Wolfe (You’re Not You), director; Ruben Santiago-Hudson (film debut), writer; Todd Black (Antwone Fisher) and Denzel Washington (Fences), producers; Branford Marsalis (Without a Pass), composer; Tobias A. Schliessler (Dreamgirls), cinematographer; Andrew Mondshein (The Sixth Sense), editor

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

In 1920s Chicago, a band of musicians await the arrival of legendary blues singer Ma Rainey (Davis) to an afternoon recording session. When she eventually arrives, Rainey engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producers over control of her music, as well as with ambitious trumpeter Levee (Boseman) who is looking to leave his own mark on the world of music…

IN ONE SENTENCE, WHY SHOULD YOU BE EXCITED?

Producer Denzel Washington steers another August Wilson play to the movie format with grace and ease, featuring a stellar turn by Viola Davis in the title role, and a powerful – but bittersweet – final performance by the late Chadwick Boseman.

WHEN’S IT OUT?

FRIDAY 18^TH DECEMBER 2020 (AVAILABLE ON NETFLIX)

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