A documentary on GRAMMY-nominated jazz icon Billie Holiday, backed by Concord, the Billie Holiday estate's successor, featuring never-before-heard interviews is in the works, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The film called Billie, directed by James Erskine, will tell Holiday's story through the eyes of late journalist Linda Lipnack Kuehl, who began a biography of the artist in 1970 but never finished it. Kuehl accumulated over 200 hours of recorded interviews with GRAMMY winners Tony Bennett and Sarah Vaughan, Holiday's step-parents, lovers and more.
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Billie will be executive produced by Concord and will provide access to the singer's recordings.
"Concord takes the responsibility of representing Billie Holiday’s legacy very seriously," Sophia Dilley, VP of Film and TV Development and Production for Concord said in a statement. "We are thrilled to be working with the creative team of James Erskine and New Black Films who have taken great care to produce a documentary that honors the life and work of Billie Holiday in an exciting, genre-defying way.”
Deadline reports that the film was mooted in 2018.
"I am thrilled that Concord and the Billie Holiday Estate are supporting me and my producers Victoria and Barry in making Billie and telling her definitive story," Erskine told Deadline. "Billie’s soul and voice sang for all generations and Marina’s unique and brilliant skills will bring her vibrantly to life for the first time in history."
The film is currently in post-production and international rights have been sold to markets including Australia, Italy and New Zealand.
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