Watch the New Teaser Trailer for "Bessie"

Queen Latifah's dynamic portrayal of "Bessie" will premiere on May 16.


The film, written and directed by Dee Rees who also gave us Pariah,  follows the life of legendary Bessie Smith "Empress of Blues."

The film also stars Mo'Nique, Khandi Alexander, Charles S. Dutton, Mike Epps and Tika Sumpter. From the trailer it's sure to offer lots of drama, incredible costumes, and, of course, incredible music.

Check out the teaser trailer above for a glimpse of Bessie's meteoric rise to fame and the subsequent drama and heartbreak through the gilded '20s and harsher '30s, all in just 30 seconds.

---

Kimberly Foster is the founder and editor of For Harriet. Email or Follow @KimberlyNFoster

HBO Queen Latifah trailers