HBO filling out cast for "Empress of the Blues" Bessie Smith biopicJuly 2, 2014 - 15:55 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - HBO is filling out its cast for its upcoming Bessie Smith biopic. Fargo's Oliver Platt, How to Make It in America's Bryan Greenberg and True Detective's Tory Kittles have been added to the cast of the TV movie, The Hollywood Reporter said. The telepic revolves around iconic blues singer Smith (Queen Latifah) as she overcomes the challenges of her tempestuous personal life to become one of the most acclaimed performers and recording artists of the 1920s and '30s, to be known forevermore as the "Empress of the Blues." The film, based on Smith's life story, is written and directed by Pariah's Dee Rees. Platt will play famed photographer and writer Carl Van Vechten; Greenberg is set as renowned record producer and music critic John Hammond; and Kittles will portray Bessie's brother Clarence. They join a cast that includes Mo'Nique as Ma Rainey,Michael K. Williams as Jack Gee, Mike Epps as Richard; Khandi Alexander as Viola; Tika Sumpter as Lucille and Charles S. Dutton asWilliam "Pa" Rainey. Latifah will executive produce the HBO Films and Zanuck Co. movie via her Flavor Unit Entertainment banner. Top stories The creative crew of the Public TV had chosen 13-year-old Malena as a participant of this year's contest. She called on others to also suspend their accounts over the companies’ failure to tackle hate speech. Penderecki was known for his film scores, including for William Friedkin’s “The Exorcist”, Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining”. The festival made the news public on March 19, saying that “several options are considered in order to preserve its running” Partner news | U.S. warns Georgia not to side with Moscow against the west Georgia has been warned by the U.S. not to become an adversary of the west by falling back in line with Moscow. Power of One Dram sums up two-year program with Teach for Armenia Idram Junior also joined the companies during the visit, bringing with it a fascinating intellectual game for children Moscow slams EU mission in Armenia for “provocative activity” The EU mission is doing more and more against Armenia’s neighbors Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran, Mikhail Galuzin said. Yerevan Mayor to travel to Paris on May 15-19 The official delegation headed by Yerevan Mayor Tigran Avinyan will travel to Paris from May 15 to 19. |