Summer of Soul (... ou, quand la révolution ne pouvait pas être télévisée)

Original title: Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

2021
13
1h 58m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

15K

YOUR RATING

Mavis Staples in Summer of Soul (... ou, quand la révolution ne pouvait pas être télévisée) (2021)

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.

Play trailer1:59

11 Videos

38 Photos

Music Documentary Documentary History Music

Documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.Documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.Documentary about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival which celebrated African-American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity.

Director
- Questlove
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

15K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Questlove
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 74 wins & 45 nominations total

Self - Festival Attendee
(as Ethel Beatty-Barnes)

Al Sharpton

Self - Minister & Activist
(as Reverend Al Sharpton)

Allen Zerkin

Self - Former Assistant to Tony Lawrence

Margot Edman

Self - Festival Production Assistant

Alan Leeds

Self - Music Manager & Executive

Cyril 'Bullwhip' Innis Jr.

Self - Black Panther Party

Hal Tulchin

Self - Director & Producer, Harlem Cultural Festival 1969

Musa Jackson

Self - Festival Attendee

Billy Davis Jr.

Self - The 5th Dimension

Marilyn McCoo

Self - The 5th Dimension

Adrienne Kryor

Self - The Edwin Hawkins Singers

Greg Tate

Self - Writer & Musician

Charlayne Hunter-Gault

Self - Former Reporter, The New York Times

Jesse Jackson

Self - Minister & Activist
(as Reverend Jesse Jackson)

Gladys Knight

Self - Musician

‘Snow White’ Stars Test Their Wits

Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, and director Marc Webb take our Ultimate Disney Quiz.

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9:57

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A Concerto Is a Conversation

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
The Harlem Cultural Festival comprised six concerts that took place between June 29 and August 24, 1969, in Marcus Garvey Park (at the time, Mount Morris Park), and attracted a combined in-person audience of 300,000.

Goofs
The subtitle, "When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised," is incorrect. In 1969, the year the Harlem Cultural Festival concerts took place, two TV specials about them were shown: July 28, 1969 on CBS (while the concerts were still taking place) and September 16, 1969 on ABC.

Quotes
Sly Stone: Don't wait for approval from your neighbor, because your neighbor might be waiting for you.

Crazy credits
There is a scene after the end credits featuring Stevie Wonder and his band leader bantering back and forth on stage.

Connections
Featured in CBS News Sunday Morning: Episode #43.26 (2021)

Soundtracks
Drum Solo
Written by Stevie Wonder
Performed by Stevie Wonder
Published by Jobete Music Co. Inc. on behalf of itself and Black Bull Music
Licensed courtesy of Wonder Productions, Inc.
Steve Wonder appears courtesy of Wonder Productions, Inc.

User reviews102

Featured review

10/10

A Music And History Lesson With An Awesome Soundtrack

Just an incredible documentary covering the Harlem Music Festival from 1969 with some great performances from some of the most famous jazz, soul, blues and gospel performers from the 60's. It uses never before seen archive footage with interviews of the musicians and attendees giving the documentary a raw and authentic feel transporting the viewer into a turbulent era marked by the Civil Rights Movement and some of the most legendary and everlasting music ever created.