Sunday, November 13, 2022

The World's Best Female Lead Singer Movies

By José Alberto Hermosillo

http://www.festivalinla.com/2015/02/the-worlds-best-female-lead-singer.html
The World’s Best Female Lead Singer Movies  COPYRIGHT www.FestivalinLA.com

Cinema has taken on the glamorous, controversial, notorious, scandalous, tumultuous, and tragic lives of the world’s most impressive female lead singers.

In their careers, their music, talent, and hard work contrast with their private lives - many tragically sad stories of struggle, agony, sickness, addictions, alcohol, drugs, loneliness, depression, jail, suicide, and… redemption.

The motion pictures and documentaries based on women lead singers have taken some literary freedom that altered what actually happened in their lives - fans from around the world love and hate. 

For the right approach, filmmakers have chosen a musical, narrative/drama, documentary, or television series to tell the story and serve justice to the singer’s legacy.

In the selection, I included all rhythms, backgrounds, genres, and nationalities. What matters is the quality of the film and whether it is presented honestly and according to the singer’s reality.

The outstanding performers in the world whose lives have passed to an eternity in larger-than-life movies are:

1.
“La Vie en Rose” 
Marion Cotillard as the great Édith Piaf in a larger-than-life epic. 
The film won two Oscars, Best Actress and Best Makeup & Hairstyling.
Directed by Oliver Dahan. 
Vocal (2007).
France, the UK, the Czech Republic
2. 
Coal Miner’s Daughter
” 
Sissy Spacek won an Oscar for her work as 
Loretta Lynn
Directed by Michael Apted. 
Country (1980), 
USA
3. 
Lady Sings the Blues

Diana Ross as the great Billie Holiday
Directed by Sidney J. Furie. 
 Jazz (1972),  
USA
4. 
“Selena” 
Jennifer Lopez as Selena 
jumped to international fame with this film.
 Directed by Gregory Nava. 
Cumbia, Ranchero, Tex/Mex (1997), 
USA

5.
 “Amy” 

 The Oscar Winner documentary about the life of the late singer 
Amy Winehouse,
Directed by Asif Kapadia, 
Pop, Soul, jazz, and soft rock (2015),
United Kingdom
6. 
“Funny Girl”
Barbara Streisand as Fanny Brice
a singer who goes from the Jewish slums of 
N.Y. to the Ziegfeld Follies. 
Director William Wilder. 
Vaudeville (1968), 
USA
7.
“What’s Love Got to Do with It” 
Angela Bassett was nominated for an Oscar for her incredible performance as  
Tina Turner
Directed by Brian Gibson. 
R&B Soul, Pop, and Rock (1993), 
USA
.
8.
“Dalida”
Actress Sveva Alviti plays the iconic singer DALIDA,
an Egyptian-born woman with a beautiful voice who went to 
Paris sang in twelve languages and sold more than 
170 million records worldwide.
Directed by Lisa Azuelos
Ballad, pop, disco (2017), 
France
9.
“Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice”
A heartfelt documentary about the trajectory of the Mexican-American singer.
Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman.
Country, Rock, Pop, Ranchero (2019).
USA
10. 
“Judy”
Renée Zellweger gives this Academy Award-winning performance as
Judy Garland.
Directed by Rupert Goold
Ballad (2019)
U.K./ USA

11.
“20 Feet from Stardom”
An irresistible Oscar Winner documentary  
narrates the lives of the backup singers 
of several prominent stars.
Directed by Morgan Neville.
Rock, Pop, and Gospel, (2013), 
USA
12.
Callas Forever
Fanny Ardant as the great Maria Callas.
Directed by Franco Zeffirelli. 
Opera (2002), 
Italy, France, Spain, 
U.K., Romania
13.
Katy Perry: Part of Me
A documentary on Katy’s life and music, 
which follows her on the California Dream Tour. 
Directed by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz. 
Pop-Rock (2012), 
USA
14.
“Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry” 
An intimate documentary that follows the teen musical sensation.
Directed by R.J. Cuttler
Pop (2021).
 USA
15.
“Nico, 1988.”
Touring in Europe and Africa, this biopic follows the
last year of life of the German singer Christa Päffgen, also known as Nico, 
who has to deal with her demons and drug addiction while
her Velvet Underground music is a hit.
Directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli.
Underground (2017). 
 Italy/Belgium
 16.
 “Barbara”
In this evocative flick, a film director wants to shoot a biopic 
based on the life of the great 
French singer Barbara.
Actress Jeanne Balibar 
Gets caught in the middle of an emotional roller-coaster.
Directed by Mathieu Amalric.
Ballad (2017).
France.
 17.
“Amazing Grace”
A concert was recorded by Aretha Franklin in two parts at the New Bethel Baptist Church
in Watts, South Los Angeles, in January 1972.
Directed by Alain Elliott and Sydney Pollack.
Soul (2018).
USA
18.
“When I leave/
Cuando me vaya.”
Argentinean actress Libertad Lamarque plays 
Maria Grever
the Mexican composer who lived in
NY and wrote more than
800 Boleros and music for movies in Hollywood. 
Directed by Tito Davison. 
Bolero, (1954), 
Mexico
19.
ASNI:
Courage, Passion & Glamour in Ethiopia” 
This documentary showcases and rescues from oblivion the infectious music
and the beautiful voice of Asnaketch Worku, 
a cultural icon in her homeland. Ethiopia, the entire of Africa, and around the world. 
Directed by Rachel Samuel. 
Guttural (2013),
Ethiopia
20.
“The United States vs. Billie Holiday” 
The tremendous and convoluted biopic of the Afro-American jazz singer 
Billie Holiday focuses on her drug addiction, lovers, and tireless fight for racial integration.
Directed by Lee Daniels.
 USA
21.
“Gloria”
An unauthorized biopic of controversial Mexican singer 
Gloria Trevi played by Sofía Espinosa. 
Directed by Christian Keller. 
Pop-Rock (2014),
Mexico
22.
“Violeta Went to Heaven/
 Violeta se fue a los cielos” 
Francisca Gavilán plays Violeta Parra
Singer, poet, composer, and activist. 
She founded the Universidad Andina,
a university dedicated to the Folklorist arts in
South America. 
Directed by Andrés Wood. 
Folklorist (2011),
Chile, Brazil, Argentina.
23.
The documentary about the life of the Italian pop star
 is intimate and personal.
Directed by Ivan Cotreneo
Pop, 2022
Italy
24.
“I’m a Woman.”
An Australian biographical film about the late singer
Helen Reddy (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), whose iconic song “I’m a Woman” became a 
Women’s National Anthem for the Second Wave in the Feminist Movement.
Directed by Unjoo Moon
Pop. (2019).
Australia
25.
What Happened, Miss Simone?”
She was named the “High Priestess of Soul.” 
An Oscar-nominee documentary about the life of the legendary Nina Simone
A Netflix production on the life of this great
American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist.
Directed by Liz Garbus. 
Soul (2015), 
USA
 26.
“Anna German/
      Ekho Lyubvi” 
Actress Darya Andreeva as the renowned 
Polish Singer Anna German.
She sang in more than 10 languages and became very
famous in Russia. 
Directed by Ilya Malkin for Russian TV. 
Vocal (2011), 
Russia

 27.
“Respect”
Academy Award-winner Jennifer Hudson performs the life 
of the late singer Aretha Franklin
Directed by Liesl Tommy.
Soul (2020).
USA
 28.
Lola Montez
Martine Carol plays Lola Montèz 
 An adventurous woman who
ends up as a circus performer. 
Directed by Max Ophüls. (1955),
France/West Germany
29.
Maria by Callas
A documentary about the life of the Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas.
Directed by Tom Volf, 
Classic (2017).
France
30. 
 Queen of the Night/
 La Reina de la Noche” 
Patricia Reyes Espindola as Lucha Reyes
The first woman in history to sing with Mariachi. 
(She has a monument at the Mariachi Plaza, 
East Los Angeles).
Directed by Arturo Ripstein. 
Ranchero (1994), 
Mexico
31.
“Life with Judy Garland:
Me & My Shadows”
Judy Davis plays Judy Garland in this epic TV series.
Directed by Robert Allan Ackerman.
Musical (2001)
USA
32.
“Lola, la película.” 
Gala Évora portrays the legendary.
Spanish singer Lola Flores
Directed by Miguel Hermoso. 
Flamenco (2007),
Spain
33.
“Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me”
A documentary based on the life of actress, singer, and producer Selena Gomez.
The film follows the star’s early years since she was born in Grand Prairie, Texas,
on July 22, 1992. Essential and positive pieces of this tailored doc are missing, but
it is entertaining.
Directed by Alek Keshishian
Pop, (2022).
USA
34.
“Love to Love You, Donna Summer”
A fictionalized biopic on the life of Donna Summer, her traveling to Germany, and her 
successful career to stardom.
Directed by Brooklyn Sudano & Roger Ross Williams
UNITED STATES
35.
“Halftime”
The Netflix documentary is about putting together 
the halftime show of the 54th Super Bowl 
with the megastar Jennifer Lopez.
Directed by
Amanda Micheli & Sam Wrench
Pop, 2022
USA

36.
“Aline”
A fiction film inspired by the life of the World renowned Canadian singer
Céline Dior.
Directed by Valérie Lemercier.
Pop (2020).
France, Canada, Belgium
37.
“Whitney”
The most complete documentary about the life of the late singer Whitney Houston
An emotional journey that took the image of Whitney
from her very beginning to the top of the world, her decadence, and her tragic departure.
Directed by Kevin MacDonald.
Soul, pop, gospel (2018).
U.K. / USA
38.
“Sheryl”
The documentary on singer and storyteller Sheryl Crow, 
directed by Andy Scott.
Pop music (2022)
USA
39.
“Monica Z / Waltz for Monica”
The life of a Swedish iconic Jazz singer, actress, 
and performer
Monica Zetterlund (Edda Magnason). 
She evolves from stardom to hardship in her career.
Directed by Per Fly,
Jazz (2013).
Sweden
40.
“Gaga: Five Foot Two”
Premiering at TIFF. This 
Netflix verité style documentary follows 
During her concerts, behind-the-stage rehearsals, 
and home videos, Lady Gaga makes 
this presentation is a must-see!
Director Chris Moukarbel.
Pop (2017).
USA
41.
“Amália the Film” 
Sandra Barata Belo plays Amália Rodriguez
Directed by Carlos Coelho da Silva.
Fado (2008),
Portugal
42.
Florence Foster Jenkins
Meryl Streep plays this heiress with
a great heart and voice.
She wanted to be an Opera Singer, but not even all her money
can buy success.
Directed by Stephen Frears, 
Opera (2016).
United Kingdom

 43.
Marguerite

Catherine Frot plays Marguerite Dumont,
a wealthy woman who wants to be an Opera Singer.
Directed by Xavier Giannoli, 
Opera, (2015).
France, Czech Republic, Belgium
44.
The Josephine Baker Story
A TV movie based on the life of the famous Afro-American 
singer and performer,
who left her country for racial discrimination and found fame in
Paris - making 12 films, numerous plays, and shows.
Actress Lynn Whitfield plays an exotic and brave
Josephine Baker.
Directed by Brian Gibson. (1995), 
USA
 45
“Bessie” 
A TV movie about the story of the blues performer Bessie Smith during
the Great Depression Era, 
portrayed by Queen Latifah.
Directed by Dee Rees, 
Blues (2015),
USA
46.
Sweet Dreams
The Story of Patsy Cline

Jessica Lange as Patsy Cline. A country singer who died in
a tragic plane crash at the peak of her fame.
Directed by Karel Reisz. 
Country (1985), 
USA
47. 
“Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé”
An intimate look at Beyoncé Cochela’s Performance in 2018.
Directors: Beyoncé, Ed Burke
USA
48.
“Sister Smile/
Soeur Sourire” 
Cécile de France plays the rebellious Belgian singing nun Jeannine Deckers. 
(This is the second and more accurate movie version of “The Singing Nun”). 
She was a composer, singer, and guitar player – 
Her song “Dominique” was a worldwide success. 
Directed by Stijn Coninx, (2009), 
Belgium/France
49. 
The Singing Nun
Debbie Reynolds plays Sister Ann.
(This biopic is loosely based on the real story, see “Sister Smile”). 
Directed by Henry Koster. (1966), 
USA
50.
“Omara”
The documentary follows the life of a Cuban, 
Afro-Caribbean singer Omara Portuno.
Directed by Hugo Pérez
Afro-Caribbian (2022).
USA
51.

“Kate Nash: Underestimate the Girl”

A documentary that follows a series of US concerts

and the struggles of the British singer-songwriter.

Directed by Amy Goldstein.

Pop, punk (2019)

USA

52.
“Hilary and Jackie” 
Emily Watson as the performer Jacqueline Du Pré and 
Rachel Griffiths as Hilary Du Pré.
Jackie is a renowned cellist, and her sister, 
a prodigy, remained a housewife for the rest of her life. 
Directed by Anand Tucker. 
Classic (1998),
United Kingdom
53.
With a Song in My Heart
The Jane Froman Story
Susan Hayward as Jane Froman.
Directed by Walter Lang.
American Medley (1952),
USA
54.
“Interrupted Melody
Eleanor Parker plays Marjorie Lawrence, an Australian Opera Singer with polio. 
Directed by Curtis Bernhardt. 
Opera (1955), 
USA
55. 
“I’ll Cry Tomorrow.

Susan Hayward as Lillian Roth
the Broadway and Hollywood Star that merged into her sorrows, 
alcohol, and failing marriages. 
Directed by Daniel Mann. (1955),
USA
56.
“The Helen Morgan Story” 
Ann Blyth played the torch singer Helen Morgan
Directed by Michael Curtiz. (1957), 
USA

57.
“The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel”

The beginning and struggle of a group of sisters

become a best-seller Gospel artist.

Directed by Christine Swanson

Gospel (2020)

USA

58.
Ariana Grande: Excuse Me, I Love You” 
The famous Ariana Grande takes center stage in London as part of
“The Sweeter World Tour.”
Directed by Paul Dugdale
Pop, (2020).
USA
59.
Spice World
The Spice Girls Movie
The Adventures of the Famous Spice Girls 
traveling around London in a luxurious 
double-decker tour bus
performing for their fans.
Director Bob Spiers. 
Pop (1997).
United Kingdom
60. 
Madonna Truth or Dare
This documentary follows Madonna in her controversial 
Blond Ambition Tour in 1990.
Directed by Alek Keshishian.
Pop (1991).
USA

61.
Chavela

A documentary that follows the life of Chavela Vargas,
her journey and international fame
singing ranchero as well as any man could do.
The film focuses on her sexual preference 
for other women.
Directed by Catherine Gund and Daresha Kyi
Ranchero (2017).
USA, Mex, Spain
62.
“Pink: All I Know So Far”
A documentary that shows the behind-the-scenes and intimate life of Pink’s
performance at the Wembley Stadium in England as a part of her World Tour
“Beautiful Trauma.”
Directed by Michael Gracey
Solf Rock, (2021).
USA
63.
“Dolly Parton’s
Heartstrings”
InEight episodes about the songs of the famous American country singer
Dolly Parton.
Directed by Liesl Tommy.
Ballad (2019).
USA

64.
“Céline” 
Actress Christine Ghawi portrayed the renowned Céline Dion.
This unauthorized biopic was made for TV. 
Directed by Jeff Woolnough. 
Pop and soft rock (2008), 
Canada
65.
Grace Jones 
Bloodlight and Bami

This documentary is about the life of Grace Jones and her concerts worldwide.
Directed by Sophie Fiennes, 
Disco (2017).
United Kingdom
 66.
Whitney: Can I Be Me
A documentary that follows Whitney Huston’s journey 
from her start to her enormous success, 
including some very intimate moments of her life.
Directors: Nick Broomfield, Rudi Dolezal
R&B (2017).
U.K. / USA
67.
 “Janis: Little Girl Blue” 
A documentary about the life of
the great Janis Joplin
narrated by musician Cat Power.
Directed by Amy Berg, 
Rock (2015),
USA
68.
The Girls in the Band
This is a documentary about a female jazz band singer from the 1930s.
 Directed by Judy Chaikin. 
Jazz (2013),
USA

69.
“Walk the Line” 
A superb Oscar-winning performance by Reese Witherspoon as the singer, 
musician and composer 
June Carterthe second wife of Johnny Cash.
Directed by James Mangold. 
Country (2005), 
USA
70.
“The Star of Emi Bonilla” 
The documentary about the life of the Spanish singer
  Emi Bonilla
is narrated by Juanma Lara.
Directed by Jorge Agó, 
Copla (2019),
Spain
 71.
Carmen Miranda: 
Bananas are My Business
The life and fame of Carmen Miranda are told in this fantastic documentary; she was known in Hollywood as
the Brazilian Bombshell. 
Director Helena Solberg. 
Tropical (1995), 
United Kingdom, Brazil
  
72.
“Whisper If I Forget/
Unutursam Fidilda” 

Actress Farah Zeynep Abdullah played Humeyra
a Turkish Pop Star with Alzheimer’s. 
Directed by Çagan Irmak. 
Pop (2014), 
Turkey
73.
Mercedes Sosa: 
The Voice  of Latin America
A documentary regarding the music and lyrics was written by Mercedes Sosa in her. 
“Nuevo Cancionero.” 
One of the greatest composers of South American Andina Music.
Directed by Rodrigo H. Vila. 
Folklorist (2013), 
Argentina
74.
“Anita O’Day:
The Life of a Jazz Singer”
A heartfelt documentary made a tribute to one of the greatest
Jazz vocalist, unfortunately, Anita O’Day couldn’t see the work finished
due to her passing.  
Directed by Robbie Carolina and Ian McCrudden
Jazz (2007).
USA
75.
“Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt”
Egypt’s superstar came to life in this beautiful documentary
narrated by the legendary actor Omar Sharif
Directed by Michal Goldman
Vocal (1996).
Egypt, USA
76. 
Shooting the Moon
“Pumpuang Duangjan”
Actress Paowalee Pornpimol plays the Queen of
Thai Country Music 
Pumpuang Duangjan
Directed by Bundit Thongdee. (2011),
Thailand
77.
“Somebody Loves Me” 
Betty Hutton plays Blossom Seeley
Directed by Irving Brecher. (1952), 
USA
78.
“Love Me or Leave Me.” 
Doris Day plays Ruth Etting, performing at the Ziegfeld Follies. 
Directed by Charles Vidor. 
Jazz (1955), 
USA
 79.
“Demi Lovato Simply Complicated” 
Singer Demi Lovato opens up in an interview about her drug addiction.
Hannah Lux Davis, 
Vocal (2017).
USA
80.
Aaliyah: The Princess of R&B” 
Alexandra Shipp plays the tragic life of music and video star Aaliyah for American TV. 
Directed by Bradley Walsh. 
Soul/R&B (2014), 
USA
81.
“The Linda McCartney Story” 
Elizabeth Mitchell as Linda Eastman McCartney.
The story focuses on Paul McCartney and the group they had after
the Beatles breakup in 1970 named Wings. 
Directed by Armand Mastroianni. 
Rock (2000), 
Canada/USA
82.
“Dreamgirls”
A Broadway musical based on the early days of “The Supremes.”
Directed by Bill Condon.
R&B and Soul, (2006),
USA
83.
“The Rose”
Bette Midler plays a self-destructive rock star 
in a story loosely based on the life of 
Janis Joplin
Directed by Mark Rydell. 
Rock (1979), 
USA
84.
“The Runaways” 
A biopic about the 1970’s teenage all-girl rock band named The Runaways
Directed by Floria Sigismondi. 
Rock (2010), 
USA
  85.
“The Sapphires” 
Loosely based on a true story, tells the journey of four 
Australian aborigines singers who traveled to Vietnam to perform for the troops  
during the war in 1968.
Directed by Wayne Blair. 
Cellist (2012),
United Kingdom, Australia
86.
“Nina” 
A drama based on 
the life of the legendary singer and activist Nina Simone,
 portrayed by Zoe Saldana.
Directed by Cynthia Mort, 
Soul (2016),
USA
87.
“Nini’s Movie/
La Pelicula de Nini."
The most excellent Argentine comedy actress and singer who made a career in Mexico during the 
Golden Age of Mexican Cinema. 
She is still in the memory of many Argentinians who remember her dearly. 
Directed by Raul Etchelet (2005), 
Argentina
88. 
“The Night of My Love/
A Noite Do Meu Bem” 
Regina Célia as the great Dolores Duran. 
This Brazilian film about one of the greatest Brazilian singers is lost, 
and it needs to be found.
Directed by Jesse Valadâo. 
Samba (1968), 
Brazil
89.
“Mary Lou Williams: 
The Lady Who Swings the Band”
A documentary about the famous jazz pianist
Mary Lou Williams.
Directed by Carol Bash. (2015), 
USA
90.

“Carefully, Carefully/
Cuidadito, Cuidadito"
The subject of this documentary is a famous singer, actress, 
and comedian María Victoria
who sang in more than forty films
including some from 
The Golden Age of Mexican Cinema,
 and fifteen TV shows.
Directed by Sergio Muñoz Güemes. 
Bolero, (2013), 
Mexico
91. 
“Toni Braxton”
The TV movie about the life of the singer Toni Braxton
(2016),
USA

Special mention:
- “La Mala,” young vocalist Lena Burke gets inspired by Cuban Singer La Lupe (2008), Puerto Rico.
- “Pina,” the Oscar nominee documentary based on the work of the German choreographer Pina Bausch, directed by Wim Wenders (2011), Germany.
“ABBA: The Movie” is a documentary about a DJ who follows the famous Swedish group on tour in Australia. Directed by Robert Caswell and Lassie Hallström (1977), Australia/Sweden.
                                                               
In the works:
Madonna Biopic.
Destiny’s Child project. 
Jenni Rivera project.
Celia Cruz project
Rocio Durcal project.
La Lupe project.
Lupe Velez, 3 projects.

World Lead Singers Who Deserve a Movie:
Ailee, South Korea.
Alejandra Guzmán, Rock, Mexico.
Cesaria Evora, Cape Verde.
Chabuca Granda, Afro-Peruvian, Perú.
Coco Lee, Pop, Hong Kong.
Consuelo Velazquez, Bolero, Mexico.
Delia Derbyshire, Electronica, UK. 
Elis Regina, Bosa Nova, Brazil.
Ella Fitzgerald, Jazz, USA.
Flans, Pop, Mexico.
Karina, Pop, Venezuela.
Lata Mangeshkar, Bollywood, India.
Libertad Lamarque, Tango, Argentina/Mex.
Liza Minnelli, USA.
Liza Wang, Opera, Hong Kong.
Lola Beltrán, Ranchero, Mexico.
Lolita, Ballads/Flamenco, Spain.
Lucha Villa, Ranchero, Mexico.
Margarita, Cumbia, Colombia.
María Dolores Pradera, Spain.
Marinella, Greece.
Melina Mercouri, Greece.
Mina, Italy.
Mireille Mathieu, France.
Nacha Guevara, Argentina.
Ninón Sevilla, Rumba, Mexico/Cuba.
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Pakistan.
Patty Smith, Punk, USA.
Raffaella Carrà, Pop, Italy. 
Rosetta Tharpe, Rock, USA.
Sade, Vocal, USA.
Sonia Amelio, castanet player, Mexico.
Sara Gonzales, Cuba.
Sarita Montiel, Spain.
Vera Lynn, Vocal, UK.

Research by: José Alberto Hermosillo.

Special thanks to:
Julián Hernández, Mexican filmmaker and music in film specialist;
Eve Holmes, Performer, Palm Springs; Vladek Juszkiewicz, Polish Film Festival LA; Ozan Aybey, Turkey; Daniel Camargo, Brazil; Antonio Albella, Spain; Masaki Arai, Japan; Michael Villalobos, Los Angeles. 

Images may be subject to copyright.

 

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