Netflix continues to show a diversity in interests, picking up another original documentary. A film about legendary singer Nina Simone will debut on the streaming service in 2015.
What Happened, Miss Simone? will be directed by Liz Garbus, who was nominated for an Oscar for The Farm: Angola, USA. She is also known for directing Bobby Fischer Against The World.
In the film, Garbus traces Simone’s life with the help of never-before-heard tapes, in which Simone tells her own life story. Rare concert footage, archival interviews, text from letters and an interview with her daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly, are all featured in the film. Garbus also spoke with Simone’s friends and collaborators.
Miss Simone is being produced with RadicalMedia.
“I'm thrilled that Netflix has embraced the incredible story of Nina Simone and partnered with RadicalMedia on this film,” Garbus said in a statement. “For each of her millions of fans, Nina feels like a treasured secret. With What Happened, Miss Simone?, I'm excited to help bring her passion, her music, and her story to the world.”
While Simone died in 2003, her work in the studio and as a civil rights activist remains relevant. There are plans to make a feature film about her life, but that project has stalled.
Netflix is also teaming up with Leonardo DiCaprio on a film about endangered gorillas.
image courtesy of INFGoff.com