Tyler Perry’s remarkable life and illustrious career are the subject of a new documentary for Amazon Studios, entitled Maxine’s Baby. Directed by Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz, this film will offer a tender, intimate portrait of the billionaire writer, actor, filmmaker, studio head and media mogul according to a release. “Perry is America’s consummate multi-hyphenate, but underneath this entertainment behemoth is a man working humbly to heal his childhood trauma by transforming his pain into promise,” the release continues. His inspiring story will begin streaming on Prime Video on November 17th.
The connections to Perry’s roots begin with the title, which is a nod to Perry’s late mother Willie Maxine Perry. From there, the film, which serves as a “profound lesson on remembering where you came from to know where you want to go,” dives deep into his life, as Perry granted Bekele and Ortiz unprecedented access to chronicle his story, from his inner world to fatherhood to life as a media mogul, as it’s never fully been told before.
The two directors are perfectly suited for the project, with Bekele’s background as an activist and documentary filmmaker and Ortiz’ experience as director of communications and engagement at Tyler Perry Studios, as well as directing episodes of Perry’s BET shows. Ortiz has previously said that watching Perry’s work ethic in action has inspired him to work harder as well. “If he’s going to go 18-hour days, I have to go 20 hours,” he says. “It pushes you to be better than what you are because T.P. is not working for himself — he’s working for the people around him.”
As Variety states, this new documentary furthers Amazon’s investment in the Perry business after the parties inked a four-picture deal last fall; “Maxine’s Baby” exists separately from that agreement. In June, Amazon announced two of Perry’s upcoming films as part of their deal: the dramas Black, White & Blue, and Divorce in the Black.
Mark your calendars and stream Maxine’s Baby starting November 17th for a previously unseen look into Tyler Perry’s life.