The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Posted by Speakeasy News > Tuesday 21 June 2022 > What's On

Baz Luhrmann’s new film is a biopic of Elvis Presley, the founding father of rock ‘n’ roll. Australian writer-director Baz Luhrmann (Romeo + Juliet, The Great Gatsby, Moulin Rouge) has long been fascinated by Elvis Presley. But to tell his story on film, he decided to focus on the relationship between Elvis and his manager, … Continue reading “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”

Elvis

Posted by Speakeasy News > Friday 17 June 2022 >

Elvis. Just his first name is enough for everyone to know who we’re talking about! Or certainly for adults to know. The King of rock ‘n’ roll is still alive thanks to not only his fans but also Baz Luhrmann whose latest movie takes us into the King’s world. Luhrmann explores the dark side of … Continue reading “Elvis”

King Richard

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 09 December 2021 > What's On

King Richard is a film about a man with a mission: Richard Williams, who decided two years before his daughter Venus was born, that he would have two daughters destined to become tennis champions. This would seem a pretty wild ambition even if Williams had been from a tennis-playing background. However, that couldn’t have been … Continue reading “King Richard”

Respect: Aretha Franklin Biopic

Posted by Speakeasy News > Monday 23 August 2021 > Ready to Use

A new biopic of soul diva Aretha Franklin takes its title from one of her most famous songs, “Respect”. This resource will introduce pupils first to the song, which became an anthem for the women’s movement and the civil-rights movement. Then they can discover the biopic. Jennifer Hudson was chosen by Franklin herself before her … Continue reading “Respect: Aretha Franklin Biopic”

Billie Holiday: Blues and Civil Rights

Posted by Speakeasy News > Thursday 20 May 2021 > What's On

A new biopic of Billie Holiday alleges the blues singer was persecuted by the Federal Bureau of Narcotics over her support for the civil rights movement and her insistence on singing the powerful anti-lynching anthem “Strange Fruit.” Jazz singer Andra Day won a Best Actress Golden Globe for her portrayal of Holiday. The United States … Continue reading “Billie Holiday: Blues and Civil Rights”

Judy Garland

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 25 March 2020 > What's On

Judy Garland was a child singing star and a global star of stage and screen. Her starring role in The Wizard of Oz at 17 made her a household name.  A new film stars Renée Zellweger playing Garland in the final year in her short life, when stardom and the Hollywood studio system had taken … Continue reading “Judy Garland”

Virginia Woolf Love Story

Posted by Speakeasy News > Wednesday 10 July 2019 > What's On

A new biopic, Vita and Virginia, tells the story of author Virginia Woolf’s relationship with aristocrat Vita Sackville-West, which resulted in one of the most innovative novels of the early twentieth century, Orlando. Apart from an interest in literature and writing, nothing destined Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West to meet, never mind form a relationship. … Continue reading “Virginia Woolf Love Story”