No trailer available

BILLIE

WONDERLANDS

UK 2019, 97 min Director JAMES ERSKINE
Based on hitherto unreleased audio recordings of interviews from the 1970s, the enigma that is Billie Holliday is explored through personal insights from friends and family—including Count Basie, Charles Mingus, Sarah Vaughan, and Tony Bennett—in a rare look at a genius whose first-hand experience of racism and segregation continues to pull at our heart strings through that voice, that presence. In this tender portrait of the iconic chanteuse, Billie chronicles Holliday’s turbulent life through the work of journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl, who set out in 1971 to write the definitive Lady Day biography, tracking down those closest to her and recording hundreds of hours of testimony with them. Kuel died before finishing the book, and the tapes went unused until they were rescued for Billie.

DIRECTOR

JAMES ERSKINE is an award-winning writer, director, and producer. As well as directing on a number of well-known UK drama series such as Torchwood and Robin Hood he has a highly successful track record in factual programs, directing and producing award winning documentaries including his Emmy nominated The Human Face, the acclaimed Who Killed the Honey Bee?, One Night in Turin, and Battle of the Sexes. Alongside his documentary work, James wrote and directed Shooting for Socrates following the Northern Irish football team at the 1986 World Cup and the London set thriller Healer, which premiered at Raindance Film Festival 2015.

FILM INFO

COUNTRY:UK
YEAR:2019
RUNNING TIME:97 min
LANGUAGE:English
DIRECTOR:James Erskine
PRODUCER:
CINEMATOGRAPHER:
EDITOR:
PRINT SOURCE:
Greenwich Films
NOTE WRITER:
Zoë Elton