The Apollo

The Apollo (2019) a 98 min. documentary by Roger Ross Williams the history of New York City's Apollo Theater in Harlem did not feel complete. It really promoted the writing of Ta-Nehisi Coates using his book about teaching son about being Black in America. Using usual talking head shots with spliced transition of archived material, Williams gets to record the early beginning of the theatre owned by the Schifman family then later to Sutton's re-opening the theatre, leading to its current non-profit management governance.

What it does is established the theatre for a significant historic place as a center for Black creative expression. Displaying famous performances by Billie Holiday, James Brown, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin (rarely seen). But stating the obvious that there is no mention of Jackson family, there only one quick image of a tribute banner, honoring Michael Jackson.

The second element, establishing "Amateur Night" as one of the most famous talent show the world has ever known. Williams puts in needed interviews with Harlem residents, politicians and even a past U.S. President. Notable interviews were with Charles Rangel, a Black/Boricua (Puerto Rican) N.Y. Representative and with singers like Gladys Knight!

It also referenced general Black history, from N.Y. riots to Harlem's poverty and recent gentrification. This film used usual documentary styled techniques. Although Jackson family was referenced, this documentary is needed and served as a slice of U.S. diverse cultural landscape.

"The Apollo" (2019 release; 102 min.) is a documentary about the legendary theater in Harlem. As the movie opens, we are watching a modern performance piece (we later learn it's the live performance of "Between the World and Me"). We then go back to the theater's beginning as the "Apollo" in 1934, located at Harlem's ground zero on 125th Street. Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington performed there that year. "It's a model of black achievement", comments one of the documentary's many talking heads. At this point we are 10 min. into the film.

Couple of comments: this is the latest documentary from the Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams. Here he brings us the rich history and significance of the Apollo. The movie is remarkably split (almost 50-50) between the emphasis on the music/dance/performance (in the first half) and the civil rights and political significance (in the second half). Among the music's highlights is of course the (in)famous Amateur Night. Incredibly, we see footage of Lauryn Hill (yes, THE Lauryn Hill), then age 13, being booed off the stage by the crowd (Hill's singing was indeed completely out of tune). Surreal. In the second half, in addition to the political significance, the film makers also look at how the Apollo stays relevant in today's society and what its role is/should be ("new works from the African-American community"}, which leads us back to "Between the World and Me". Bottom line: this is a delightful and insightful documentary about one of the iconic landmarks in New York.

"The Apollo" premiered this week on HBO and is now available on VOD. If you have any interest in knowing more about the rich history and significance of the Apollo, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

While this documentary not only entertaining, it gives deep history of the theater. It captivates an error most of us remember and truly miss. The Apollo is an Epic Center for Black Excellence! Getting a glimpse of how it all began and continues to uplift black culure was tear dropping for my husband and I. The only thing missing from a (10) rating, was the omission of some of the Apollo's most treasured entertainers.. KiKi Shepard, Rick Aviles, Sandman Simms and Steve Harvey!! You can't do an Apollo Doc and miss these pilars of 'Showtime At The Apollo'. The producers missed the ball with not acknoleging these folks!!

One of great documentaries because you feel , with same emotion, each scene. It is not easy to define it. No doubts, it is a hommage, portrait , eulogy , remember but, first, manifesto. A film about a symbol of Harlem with status of its brain and heart. A film about memorable actors and singers and entertainers and ressurection. A film about hard fights and hard work. And, more important, a fresco of ages of self definition. Well crafted is the first term to define it. Being not enough. Not, it is more than a good documentary . Its flavor after the final credits , as sihouette of state of soul proofs that.

Mindboggling to see what kind of black artists did perform in the history of the Apollo theatre in Harlem, New York City.

The good: the best part of this documentary was the portrayal of the golden olden days during the thirties, with Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. And how about watching a 12 year old Stevie Wonder perform? Or James Brown, with his famous album "Live at the Apollo". Terrific!

Any bad? During the seventies this historic music theatre went bankrupt, as did most of Harlem. During the nineties (up to now) there fortunately has been a revival of this glorious music theatre, but it has never shone as brightly as during the golden olden days of the thirties.

This documentary would have fared better if it would have only focussed on the birth of this theatre during the thirties. Now it has become a bit disjointed in structure, with too many lapses in time. Still a nice watch...