Synopsis
Director:
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
117 min, US, 2021
In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson (the Roots) presents a powerful and transporting documentary created around an epic event that celebrated Black culture and fashion. In the summer of 1969, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Marcus Garvey Park. But the footage was never seen and largely forgotten – until now. Winner of both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at Sundance, Summer of Soul shines a spotlight on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. With candid footage of the people who came to listen and never-before-seen concert performances by B.B. King, Nina Simone, Mavis Staples, Stevie Wonder, and more, Summer of Soul is both a vibrant music film and a vital snapshot of an inspiring moment in time. Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures.