Nina — Trailer

source:   today.com, youtube.com

added: Wed, Mar 2nd '16

"Guardians of the Galaxy" star Zoe Saldana portrays jazz singer, pianist and activist Nina Simone in the upcoming indie biopic "Nina," which also stars "Selma" actor David Oyelowo.

The film, written and directed by TV writer/screenwriter Cynthia Mort (HBO's Tell Me You Love Me), centers on the sometimes thorny relationship between the troubled jazz legend (Saldana) and her assistant-turned-manager, Clifton Henderson (Oyelowo).

Already criticized and denounced by Nina's own family, the unauthorized drama, which was completed nearly two years ago, has generated much controversy over the casting of Saldana. Fans of the legendary singer have expressed their disappointment that an actress who bears a closer resemblance to the late Simone was not chosen to star in the film. Instead, as the debut trailer (watch it above) confirms, Saldana (who is herself of Puerto Rican, Dominican, and Haitian descent) is seen in darker make-up and with prosthetic enhancements to make her appearance closer to Simone's.

"Nina" is due to hit theaters and VOD on April 22nd. Otherwise, fans who want an authorized version of the singer's life story can check out the recent Oscar-nominated Netflix documentary "What Happened, Miss Simone?," which is currently available for streaming.

synopsis:
The story of the late jazz musician and classical pianist Nina Simone including her rise to fame and relationship with her manager Clifton Henderson.

 

directed by   Cynthia Mort

starring   Zoe Saldana, David Oyelowo

release date   April 22, 2016 (in theaters and on VOD)