Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

by Samuel G. Freedman

First published 2020

Samuel G. Freedman takes readers inside the creation of Denzel Washington's acclaimed adaptation of August Wilson's play. Through conversations with Washington, Viola Davis, director George C. Wolfe, and the entire cast and crew, Freedman reveals how this powerful story made its journey from stage to screen. The book includes film stills and set photographs that capture the production process, alongside quotes from the artists who brought Wilson's characters to life. Freedman shows how Washington and his collaborators worked to honor Wilson's vision while creating something new for cinema. At its heart, this is the story of how artistic legacies pass from one generation to the next, and how great works find new life through the dedication of those who believe in their power.

Genres: drama, american-fiction, historical-fiction, 20th-century, african-american, 21st-century

Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: artistic-legacy, generational-change

Period: 20th Century, 21st Century

176 pages · Hardcover · ASSOULINE

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