PREVIEW: Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (12A)

WHO’S IN IT?

(as themselves) Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, B.B. King, Moms Mabley, Mahalia Jackson, Abbey Lincoln, Jesse Jackson, Chris Rock, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sal Masekela, David Ruffin, Mavis Staples, Sly and the Family Stone, The 5th Dimension, Gladys Knight & The Pips, The Chambers Brothers, Max Roach, John V. Lindsay, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Ray Barretto, Cal Tjader, Babatunde Olatunji, Hugh Masekela, Mongo Santamaria, Greg Tate, Herbie Mann, Denise Oliver-Velez, The Edwin Hawkins Singers

WHO’S BEHIND THE CAMERA?

Ahmir-Khalib Thompson (film debut), director; David Dinerstein (Cries from Syria), Robert Fyvolent (Francesco) and Joseph Patel (New Garage Explosion: In Love with These Times), producers; Shawn Peters (An Oversimplification of Her Beauty), cinematographer; Joshua L. Pearson (Made in America), editor

WHAT’S IT ABOUT?

In 1969, during the same summer as Woodstock, the Harlem Cultural Festival invited revelatory acts like Steve Wonder, Nina Simone and Gladys Knight to the stage for a major celebration of African-American music and culture. For the first time, footage of the festival – which had been sat on the shelves for fifty years – is shown in all of its glory…

IN ONE SENTENCE, WHY SHOULD YOU BE EXCITED?

Experience a euphoric documentary that recounts the legendary Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969, formed by director Ahmir-Khalib Thompson – best known as Questlove – from several hours of once-lost footage.

WHEN’S IT OUT?

FRIDAY 16TH JULY 2021

WHERE CAN I FIND IT?

IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE, AND AVAILABLE TO STREAM EXCLUSIVELY ON DISNEY+ STAR FROM FRIDAY 30TH JULY 2021

 

Did you like this preview? Want to be updated on all the new releases every week?

Sign up to our e-mail service today, and get our latest reviews and previews sent straight to your inbox!

Search from over ten years of movies here:

Other recent reviews:

I Am Frankelda (dirs. Arturo Ambriz and Rodolfo Ambriz)

In 18th century Mexico, a young writer enters a world where her stories are real…

Disclosure Day (dir. Steven Spielberg)

A government whistleblower plans to reveal secrets concerning extraterrestrial life…

Savage House (dir. Peter Glanz)

In 18th century England, an affluent couple seek to improve their social standing…

Scary Movie (dir. Michael Tiddes)

Cindy Campbell, Shorty Meeks and the gang face new “hilarious” evils…

Masters of the Universe (dir. Travis Knight)

Adam, the exiled Prince of Eternia, returns to reclaim his kingdom…

My Mother’s Wedding (dir. Kristin Scott Thomas)

Three sisters reunite for the third wedding of their mother…

Backrooms (dir. Kane Parsons)

A mysterious realm is discovered behind the walls of a furniture showroom…

Moss & Freud (dir. James Lucas)

In 2002, supermodel Kate Moss has her portrait done by artist Lucian Freud…

Tuner (dir. Daniel Roher)

A piano tuner finds a dangerous side-hustle as a criminal safecracker…

Power Ballad (dir. John Carney)

A wedding singer discovers that a troubled pop star has stolen one of his songs…

Optimized by Optimole