Netflix Reveals First Look Images of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

Netflix has unveiled the first images of one of their top awards contenders this year.

The streamer has released the first official images of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Based on August Wilson’s Tony nominated play, the film stars Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman in his final screen performance. Produced by Denzel Washington, Ma Rainey is the second screen adaptation of Wilson’s “American Century Cycle”, a group of 10 plays that look at the lives of African Americans over each decade of the twentieth century.

Set in Chicago during the roaring twenties, Ma Rainey sees Davis play the titular character, a real life singer known as the “Mother of the Blues”. During one particular hot summer afternoon, Ma is late for a recording session as she struggles to gain control of her music against her white management. Boseman portrays Levee, an ambitious trumpet player in Ma’s band who spurs with his fellow musicians leading to revelations that will change their lives forever.

The film is helmed by Tony Award winning theater director George C. Wolfe who has also directed films like Lackawanna Blues and Nights in Rodanthe and Denzel Washington is producer having come off the successful adaptation of Wilson’s Fences which co starred Davis in her Oscar winning performance.

Ma Rainey was already being considered as a potential awards contender especially in the acting categories but following Boseman’s tragic death last month, the anticipation has only grown for it as this will be the Academy’s last chance to honour a talented young actor taken from us before the next stage of his career. Although I am not familiar with the play, Charles S. Dutton, who played Levee in the original Broadway production, received a Tony nomination for his portrayal as did Theresa Merritt for playing Ma. That means if done well, Davis and Boseman have a wonderful chance to be nominated for Oscars and you better believe Netflix will be pushing hard for a posthumous nod for the later.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is scheduled to hit Netflix December 18 2020.

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