“It starts with Black women. This night is all about female empowerment,” Film Independent Curator Elvis Mitchell proclaimed to the full house at LACMA’s Bing Theater as he introduced the film of the evening. Over the weekend, Film Independent at LACMA hosted a screening of HBO Films’ Bessie and conversation with co-writer/director Dee Rees and executive producer/actor Queen Latifah. The screening was the second of five films featured in the HBO Screening Series at Film Independent at LACMA.

“It was a 20 year journey to get this movie made,” Mitchell told the audience before the screening. Film Independent Spirit Award winner Dee Rees’ Bessie follows the career of legendary Blues singer Bessie Smith and stars Queen Latifah, Michael Kenneth Williams, Mike Epps and Mo’Nique.

From the film screening to the conversation, the evening centered on the tenacity, beauty and power of Black women everywhere. “What I truly loved about this story was Black women not apologizing for their power,” said Mitchell. Both Queen Latifah and Dee Rees expressed their personal connections with Smith’s story and admiration for the ‘Empress of the Blues.’ “What I loved about Bessie is that she embraced her feminine power. That was something I definitely related to,” Latifah reflected on their similarities.

Bessie Smith’s captivating story and experiences with racial and gender prejudices continue to resonate with audiences decades later. Smith’s resilience, perseverance and courage helped Smith pave her own path to success in the face of relentless discrimination. Like Smith, Queen Latifah established her own success in music: “Artists can decide to take the safer route or be bold, brave and take a chance at failing.”

Smith’s unparalleled vocals and infamous persona propelled her to become the highest-paid Black entertainer in America. “If you’ve listened Nina Simone, you’ve heard Bessie. If you’ve listened to Tina Turner, you’ve heard Bessie,” said Rees on the singer’s lasting legacy and influence.

Bessie premieres on HBO this Saturday, May 16.

Michael Latt / Los Angeles Film Festival Marketing Coordinator