In some of the most exhilarating moments of Respect, the new Aretha Franklin biopic from director Liesl Tommy, we witness up close the musical genius of the Queen of Soul – not just her hair-raisingly great performances but her incredible talent for writing and arranging music.
Throughout the film, we see Franklin – played by Academy Award®-winner Jennifer Hudson in a role some say could see her adding to her trophy shelf – developing some of her biggest hits with her collaborators. With her ear for a true chart-topper, Franklin takes the germ of an idea – a beat, a word, the sliver of a melody – and grows it into an instantly iconic song.
In this exclusive clip from Respect, Franklin is up at 3am behind the piano, surrounded by her sleepy sisters, playing with a favorite Otis Redding song. Note by note, beat by beat, we witness the creation of one of the biggest soul records ever made: “Respect.”
The clip is just a taste of what audiences are in for in Respect, which follows Franklin from her childhood singing in her controlling father’s church choir to international superstardom, charting the journey of a generational talent finding her voice in the spotlight and in her own life.
You can be one of the first people in the world to see the movie, and Hudson’s acclaimed performance as Franklin, by attending an exclusive Fandango Premiere: Early Access screening on August 8th – a week before the movie is officially released.
As well as placing audiences in the room where the music-making happened, the movie features stirring performances of Franklin’s hits, including “Think,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and, of course, “Respect.”
The feature-film debut of acclaimed stage director Tommy, Respect co-stars Forest Whitaker as Franklin’s father, Audra McDonald as her mother, Marlon Wayans as her husband, Ted White, and Mary J. Blige as 1950s jazz legend Dinah Washington.
You can see, hear, and dance to Respect in theaters everywhere from August 13th or get the jump on the world and catch it at a special FP: Early Access screening on August 8th.
Respect is showing at Fandango Premiere: Early Access screenings on August 8th – buy tickets now. The movie is in theaters everywhere August 13th.
