Film Photos: Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in August Wilson's ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’

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Checkout this photos from the upcoming adaption of August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'. 

Chicago, 1927. A recording session. Tensions rise between Ma Rainey, her ambitious horn player and the white management determined to control the uncontrollable "Mother of the Blues".

The film features Viola Davis as Ma Rainey and Chadwick Boseman as Levee in his final film.

Viola Davis front and center as Ma Rainey.
(Credit David Lee/Netflix)


Boseman with Michael Potts (Slow Drag) and Colman Domingo (as Cutler). (Credit David Lee/Netflix)


The film is directed by George C. Wolfe who also did amazing work with period films 'Lackawanna Blues' (2005) and 'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' (2017).

I am loving how different Viola Davis is looking here. She looks like Ma Rainey here. (Credit David Lee/Netflix)


Boseman with Glynn Turman (Toledo), Michael Potts (Slow Drag), and Colman Domingo (as Cutler). (Credit David Lee/Netflix)

'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' is a part of the August Wilson adaption project. Washington was given permission by Wilson's estate to bring nine of Wilson's legendary plays to the screen. 

A Behind the Scenes moment with Davis, Boseman, and director George C. Wolfe. (Credit David Lee/Netflix)

I really love the atmosphere and composition of the photos. The photos looked like colorized black and white photos from the era. I was immediately draw to the colors used because they feel like what August Wilson's stories sound like. 

This 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' adaption is a part of the August Wilson adaption project. Washington was given permission by Wilson's estate to bring nine of Wilson's legendary plays to the screen. 


'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' arrives on Netflix on December 18. 

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