Director Darnell Martin Talks 'Cadillac Records' DVD

Out this week on DVD and Blu-ray is the story of Chess Records, a music label based in Chicago that was the first to bring Mississippi blues to mainstream music.

The film chronicles the rise of Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), Chess Records and its recording artists, including Muddy Waters (Jeffrey Wright), Little Walter (Columbus Short), Chuck Berry (Mos Def), Willie Dixon (Cedric the Entertainer) and the great Etta James (Beyonce Knowles). In this tale of sex, violence, race and rock and roll during the 1950s and '60s, we're given a window into the exciting but turbulent lives of some of America's greatest music legends.

Directed by Darnell Martin, 'Cadillac' features lots of music and good performances. The film received a host of accolades, including an NAACP Image Award for Short's performance as Little Walter and a Golden Globe nomination for Beyonce for her song 'Once in a Lifetime.'

Martin, whose previous films include 'I Like it Like That', 'Prison Song' with Mary J. Blige and 'Their Eyes Were Watching God' with Halle Berry, spoke to Black Voices about the DVD and working on the film.

Some people wondered why the film didn't include the story of Phil Chess and his brother Leonard.

Darnell Martin: Had I done a film on the Chess Brothers, then they would have been the focus. I wanted to tell the story of Muddy Waters and his relationship with Leonard, as well as the stories of Etta James, Chuck Berry and the others. I wanted to tell how these individuals got together on one label and how they worked with each other through the ups and downs. I also wanted to show how their music became popular during the civil rights movement. Besides Phil, Bo Diddley was left out. I realize we couldn't get everyone in and that was tough.

How was working with Beyonce?

DM: She was amazing. She came into the role and embraced it. I thought of her when I wrote the part. Beyonce came in and put a lot of emotion into being Etta James. By the time we started shooting, she was Etta. She challenged herself and it shows in the film.

What should we be looking forward to on the DVD?

DM: Besides deleted scenes from the film, there's also a section where you can go straight to the songs played in the film and the commentary that I did.