Film show: Politics, persecution and pain in ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’
05 June 2021 |
9:01 am
In 'The United States vs. Billie Holiday', director Lee Daniels focuses on a period of Holiday's life that was marred by government persecution. The blues singer persisted in performing protest song "Strange Fruit", a wrenching description of the racist and murderous practice of lynching. Her act of resistance attracted unwanted attention from the authorities. FRANCE 24's film critic Lisa Nesselson tells us how the biopic argues for Holiday's rightful place as a civil rights activist as well as a gifted entertainer.
Related
Related
6 Apr
From Ben Affleck starring alongside Matt Damon and Viola Davis in Nike's Air Jordan origin story "Air", to French favourite Leila Bekhti's new film "Loving Memories" and the 50th screen adaptation of French author Alexandre Dumas's 1844 novel "The Three Musketeers" with Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris and Eva Green, Eve Jackson brings you the latest movie news.
16 Apr
From the big family fantasy blockbuster "Dungeons and Dragons: Honour Amongst Thieves" to this week's big French-language release, "Les Âmes sœurs" or "Soul Mates" by André Téchiné, which stars Benjamin Voisin and Noémie Merlant as siblings with a secret in their past, critic Emma Jones speaks to Eve Jackson about the week's film news.
16 Apr
Lights, camera, action! A viral video of soldiers falling to the ground from explosions – with cameras present – has fuelled accusations the war in Ukraine is staged. But it’s simply behind-the-scenes footage of a Ukrainian short film. We spoke exclusively to the producer and director in this edition of Truth or Fake with Vedika Bahl.
21 Apr
The Nigerian hip hop duo P-Square tell us how important it is to be vocal when it comes to politics in the country. The duo speak about how music plays a role in empowering the youth.
11 May
Film critic Lisa Nesselson flags up some of the headliners at this year's cinematic feast at Cannes, as new features from Martin Scorsese, Jonathan Glazer, Todd Haynes and Wes Anderson are set to premiere at the festival. We take a closer look at last year's winner of the Camera d'Or – the prize for best début at Cannes – as "War Pony" hits French cinemas.
20 May
The Teachers' Lounge, a story of a teacher who gets caught between her own ideals and that of the school where she teaches, while trying to solve a case of theft, won the best film at the German Film Awards.
20 May
South Africa plans to head up a peace mission with African nations set on mediating the war in Ukraine. Also, African and European innovators meet in Marseille to talk sustainability and the importance of re-imagining Africa's cities of the future. Finally, we celebrate African films at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Movies from Senegal and Tunisia are in the running for the prestigious Palme d'Or award.
4 Jun
The movie measures of men spotlights the first genocide of the 20th century in which tens of thousands of indigenous Nama and Herero were slaughtered by german soldiers. The film bids to confront viewers with the harsh realities of colonial violence.
30 Jun
The World Economic Forum's summer meeting is bringing together decision-makers in Tianjin, China. Alongside topics like AI and biotech, the conversation has focused on whether business can ignore political tensions.
28 Jun
More than 40 years after "Raiders of the Lost Ark" introduced the world to adventure-seeking archaeologist Indiana Jones, an 80-year-old Harrison Ford returns to the iconic role for a fifth and final instalment. For FRANCE 24 film critic Lisa Nesselson, it's an "exemplary popcorn flick", complete with action, suspense, exotic locations and one of the most recognisable music scores around.
5 Jul
The upcoming "Barbie" movie will not appear in Vietnamese cinemas because it depicts a map showing China's claims to the South China Sea, state media reported. It had been scheduled for release later this month.
18 Jul
Kevin Aubert founded Senegal's last photo studio of its kind two years ago. In its darkrooms he hopes to rekindle his country's love for film photography and the analog process.
Latest
7 hours ago
Gabriella Bankova went on a hunger strike in the Bulgarian capital to be able to officially change her gender. Activists say the country is lagging when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights.
7 hours ago
Users are spending more time online. Among children, social media consumption has skyrocketed compared to pre-pandemic levels. In the US, tech giants are on trial for endangering minors with addictive platforms.
7 hours ago
The UN put an end to its political mission in Sudan as demanded by the Khartoum government. Sudan has seen months of conflict between two rival generals.
8 hours ago
Though slow, research into treating AIDS has been producing ever more effective drugs.
8 hours ago
South Africa is home to Africa's largest Jewish community. The ongoing violence in the Middle East has left its mark, with Jewish citizens now more cautious when they leave their homes.
8 hours ago
In this Science segment, we examine a call by more than 20 countries at the COP28 summit for the tripling of world nuclear energy capacity, this in a bid to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
×
Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox every day of the week. Stay informed with the Guardian’s leading coverage of Nigerian and world news, business, technology and sports.