237. Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised); movie review

 

 

SUMMER OF SOUL (...OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)

Cert 12A

117 mins

BBFC advice: Contains images of real dead bodies, moderate violence, racism, drug references

Hold on... a black music festival which was almost as big as Woodstock took place during the same summer?

And it included great artists such as Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight, Sly and The Family Stone?

Why on earth have we not heard or read about it?

Ah, because, in common with so much positive African -American history, it was ignored by mainstream media.

Until now.

Ahmir Questlove Thompson's documentary Summer Of Soul (...Or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) presents footage from the free Harlem Cultural Festival and combines them with engaging interviews with some of the artists and those who were among 300,000 people who were there over six Sundays.

The festival celebrated different types of black music and was held just one hundred miles south of Woodstock at Mount Morris Park and was the brainchild of New York nightclub singer Tony Lawrence with the vigorous support of New York mayor John Lindsay.

Thompson's movie offers a glimpse into the life of black Americans in the near-immediate aftermath of the assassinations of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.

It also took place to the backdrop of the highly controversial and ill-fated Vietnam war.

There is some great music, a detailed explanation of its importance to the community and a historical perspective.

It is unbelievable the film has been untouched for so long but I suppose it is better late than never.

Anyway, it gives a very different view of Harlem than we have previously seen in films of the day and should, therefore, be welcomed.

Reasons to watch: Great moment in social and music history

Reasons to avoid: If you aren't interested in music

Laughs: One

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 8/10

Did you know? A 50th Year Anniversary celebration of the Harlem Cultural Festival took place in Harlem and featured musical performances by Talib Kweli, Cory Henry, Alice Smith, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Keyon Harrold, Braxton Cook, Freddie Stone (who performed at the original event) and George "Spanky" McCurdy

The final word. Ahmir Questlove Thompson: "There’s 40 hours of footage; it was daunting to decide what to leave out. It’s on two-inch reels and each reel had to weigh about 12 pounds. I didn’t even want to touch them. " Vanity Fair

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