Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)
In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary—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 one hundred 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 & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more.
“It’s another tiny step in reclaiming the full history of America, expanding the context of our present not just for people who remember the past, but [for] people who never knew about it in the first place.” (Vox)
“Summer of Soul is both a tribute to the artists and, just as importantly, their audience—which is what makes it not just a great concert film but a great documentary, period.” (Rolling Stone)
Cosponsored with ASRC.