Europe1 .fr 10:00 am, September 08, 2021

In "Respect", in theaters Wednesday in partnership with Europe 1, Jennifer Hudson plays Aretha Franklin in an event film which traces the extraordinary journey of the one we have nicknamed the Queen Of Soul, from the benches of a gospel choir to internationally renowned.

"Respect", in theaters Wednesday in partnership with Europe 1, traces the extraordinary journey of Aretha Franklin, the one we have nicknamed the Queen Of Soul. Her voice is considered one of the most powerful and meaningful voices of all time. The hits of the Queen of Soul, such as Respect, (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman, I Say a Little Prayer or Think, have entered the canons of American music, representative of the struggle and the resilience of blacks. during the Civil Rights, Black Power and Women's Liberation movements.

Aretha Franklin's story retains its relevance to the Black Lives Matter movement, as the world is at a crossroads, racial, social and cultural upheavals are taking place and multiple identities assert themselves and finally make. hear their voices, unreservedly.

>>> The trajectory of a child prodigy

The life of Aretha Franklin is a real road map, the trajectory of a child prodigy who grew up in Detroit, in a privileged environment who understood the importance of social protests, the struggle for racial equality and community mobilization, based largely on the foundation of the Black Church, faith, worship and the notion of self-realization. If Aretha Franklin will always be remembered for the quality and strength of her voice, the journey she had to take to find her remains little known.

Internationally renowned theater director Liesl Tommy signs with "Respect", inspired by her first feature film. “Outside of Jennifer Hudson, there's no bigger fan of Aretha Franklin than me. When I was asked what approach I was considering for the film, I immediately replied that I wanted to emphasize on his youth and the beginning of his career, which the general public does not necessarily know ", specifies the director. "The journey she had to become the immense artist we know seemed to me the best way to understand the influence she had and the legacy she left us. From the genesis of the film, I saw it as the story of a young woman with an exceptional vocal capacity but who had to fight to find her voice ".

>>> A feminist and independent figure

Although several men dominated the first part of her life, Aretha Franklin knew how to develop and then retain her independence.

Without hesitation, she called to order white men who addressed her all too familiarly, asked to be paid in cash before her concerts, and was ultimately one of the first performers in her profession (men and women alike) to become producer of his music.

She knew full well that the only way to protect her most precious possession, her music, was to take the reins.

"Aretha embraced feminism at a time when feminism was booming. Their paths were simultaneous," says Tracey Scott Wilson, the film's screenwriter. "And when Aretha had decided something, it was irrevocable. She decided that no one would take advantage of her financially anymore, and to make sure of that, she imposed her own rules. One of them was: ' I want to see the money I'm making. 'One of the things I am most proud of about this movie is the way Liesl was able to point his camera at black women. One of my favorite moments was is when Aretha sings Natural Woman in front of an audience of admiring women. There are no men in the frame, and they start singing her song to her. It's a very strong moment. "

"Her relationship with her sisters also seemed essential to us, their complicity and the strength she drew from it," adds the screenwriter.

"She was supported by a community of women - from her mother, to Clara Ward, then to her sisters - who guided her, initiated her, educated her, and she, in return, propagated these teachings."

>>> The role of a lifetime for Jennifer Hudson

Personally chosen by Aretha Franklin to play her in a film about her life, you could say that Jennifer Hudson had been preparing for this role since her elimination from American Idol, in 7th place, in April 2004. "It was after American Idol and Aretha Franklin was performing in Maryville, Indiana, ”the actress recounts. "I had this fad of wanting to do her first part. It is common knowledge that she never chose a singer or musician for her first parts, but that she preferred the comedians. Despite this, she accepted that I to do it. It was a moment of grace, like all the moments that I had the chance to share with her. I realize, even more today, how much she guided my career ".

"Respect", the biopic event, is in theaters this Wednesday, in partnership with Europe 1.

And to be patient, don't miss "Les Combats d'Aretha", our podcast in 3 episodes, which highlights the activist commitments of this icon of American music!