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SUMMER OF SOUL is part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture, and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just 100 miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was never seen and largely forgotten—until now. SUMMER OF SOUL shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. The feature includes never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly and the Family Stone, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension, and more.
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- Currently 4.285714285714286/5
(21 votes)
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Mind Blown !
Incredible musical archives. Incredible also that this event was wiped off collective memory. Collective history.
Not quite 5 stars for me though, despite world-class music segments and crazy historical value. Because the document cannot seem to chose between being a pure film concert and a documentary.
For each major star’s music segment, we cut to either an interview of the same stars today or archives of the civil rights fights at the time. It’s great as a (very much needed) reminder. But as a storytelling device it is disjointed and repetitive. Also, gimme more of those music archives please.
I felt I never knew enough about the event itself. Over how many days did it take place? How many artists? How the heck did they manage that crazy budget? Why was there no second edition?
And pertaining to the film: where were the archives? How were they never shown? How did they end up surfacing? What did it take to make this film happen? This is all part of the remembrance process. Of the wiping-off process, too. I missed that very much.
Anyway. If you just came for the music archives, buckle up. Cos here lies some of the best soul music you’ll ever hear.
This is an absolute cultural treasure.
Artist Questlove of the band The Roots made this(who by the way are an amazing band to see in person. I saw them in San Francisco in the early’10s. They are also Jimmy Fallon’s backup band on The Tonight Show but have had a very successful career long before that)& it is his 1st ever film, so it’s understandable why it’s a bit confused. I’m sure he’s learned a lot in the process & since it was released. I’ve yet to watch this so it’s interesting to see your observations/critiques. I too would like to know the answer to those questions you asked. Thanks for the thorough review.
Thanks for your reply! The Roots are great, and I would go to a concert if they toured in my country. It’s very possible I was too harsh in my original post. Would like to know what you thought of the film.
YVW, I’ll let you know once I watch it.
This. Was. Amazing.
YES fantastic
This was so amazing .I wish that the Nina Simone setlist was available as a whole.
A must watch for all
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) will debut In Theaters and stream on Hulu on Friday, July 2nd, 2021.