Netflix has released the first official trailer of the upcoming Ma Rainey’s Black Bottoms, a refurbished 1984 stage play that stars the late Chadwick Boseman.
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom: What’s the move about?
Netflix’s adaptation of August Wilson’s classic play will expand and dramatise on the events that transpired during a recording session in 1920s Chicago.
The film documents the events that take place around legendary ‘Mother of Blues’, Ma Rainey, as she battles the oppressive evils of the music industry for control of her art.
“Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary ‘Mother of the Blues,’ Ma Rainey.
“Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music,” the movie’s synopsis reads.
About the role Chadwick Boseman will play in the movie
Ma Rainey will be played by the decorated Viola Davis, while Boseman lends in his supporting role as the ambitious trumpeter Levee.
“As the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee — who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry — spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives.”
The film also sees the likes of Dusan Brown as Sylvester, Michael Potts as Slow Drag, Taylour Paige as Dussie Mae, Colman Domingo as Cutler and Glynn Turman as Toledo.
Watch: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom official trailer
This will be the last film Boseman stars in after the 43-year-old lost his life to a long battle with colon cancer.
The movie is expected to premiere on Netflix on Friday 18 December 2020. You can watch the first official trailer in its entirety below: