“The Color Purple”: Trailer released with Halle Bailey

musical adaptation
“The Color Purple”: Trailer for the remake of the Spielberg classic with “Arielle” star Halle Bailey released

In 1985 star director Steven Spielberg filmed Alice Walker’s novel “The Color Purple”. 38 years later, the classic has its comeback as a musical adaptation. Also on board: Grammy Award winner Fantasia Barrino and “Arielle” actress Halle Bailey. A first trailer has now been released.

The 1985 Southern drama “The Color Purple” is getting a new adaptation. Inspired by the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker and the Broadway musical of the same name, Ghanaian rapper and director Blitz Bazawule wants to address the grievances of the African American population – especially that of women – in the USA at the beginning of the 20th century draw attention.

The Color Purple Trailer

A first trailer for the film has now been released, giving a taste of what viewers can expect: a heart-pounding story, a protagonist confronting life’s injustices, and a sense of empowerment combined with breathtaking film music.

“The Color of Purple” is about Celie, who lives in the southern United States in 1909 with her sister Nettie and her father. The black girl has not had it easy in her life so far, she has regularly felt the frustration and hatred of her father in the form of abuse and humiliation. At the time of the film adaptation, Celie was just 14 years young – and she was already pregnant for the second time by her own father.

Empowerment and Emancipation in “The Color Purple”

Like her first child, her father sells the newborn, as does Celie herself a little later. As the new wife of the old farmer Albert Johnson, she is supposed to take care of his three children and the household after the death of his wife. Johnson sees her as a worker who, like her father before him, he can bully, humiliate and rape.

When her sister Nettie flees to Celie – fearing that her father will also rape – and Johnson banishes her from his home, the girl finds support with the mistress of her householder, the singer Shug Avery. She builds up a deep friendship with her, from which she draws the strength to stand up for herself and to oppose the injustices of life.

Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, Halle Bailey

Oscar winner Steven Spielberg filmed the story of Celie back in 1985. The leading role was played by Grammy award winner Whoopie Goldberg. Also in attendance were stars like “Leathal Weapon” legend Danny Glover as Celie’s husband or show host Oprah Winfrey as her sister Nettie.

The cast and production team for the new adaptation are impressive, too: R&B singer and Broadway actress Fantasia Barrino takes on the role of Celie, while “Orange is the New Black” star Danielle Brooks plays Winfrey’s former role of Nettie. In addition, the young versions of the leading roles of “The Little Mermaid” star Halle Bailey and “Come Through” singer HER are embodied. In addition to director Bazawule, Winfrey and Spielberg are also involved in the production. Quincy Jones, who became known as Michael Jackson’s music producer, and “Black Dynamite” creator Scott Sanders are also part of the production team.

Important message, accompanied by breathtaking film music

So what can viewers expect? Great emotional cinema through a hopefully emotional film adaptation of Celie’s story, which can be seen as a symbol of the underground treatment of African-American women at the beginning of the 20th century. The overwhelming subject matter is supported by musical film scenes, which in turn live with elements of jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African rhythms and could hardly transport emotions more appropriately.

“The Color Purple” is scheduled to be shown in the US by Christmas. In Germany, the musical adaptation will be released in cinemas on January 18, 2023.