Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) Poster

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)

PG-13 07/02/2021 Music, Documentary, History 1h 57m
76%
User
Score
8.0/10
99%
96/100

A Questlove Jawn.

Overview

During the same summer as Woodstock, over 300,000 people attended the Harlem Cultural Festival, celebrating African American music and culture, and promoting Black pride and unity. The footage from the festival sat in a basement, unseen for over 50 years, keeping this incredible event in America's history lost — until now.

Questlove

Director

Top Billed Cast

Stevie Wonder

Stevie Wonder

Self

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Self

Chris Rock

Chris Rock

Self

Tony Lawrence

Tony Lawrence

Self

Nina Simone

Nina Simone

Self (archive footage)

B.B. King

B.B. King

Self (archive footage)

Abbey Lincoln

Abbey Lincoln

Self

Mavis Staples

Mavis Staples

Self

Mahalia Jackson

Mahalia Jackson

Self (archive footage)

Full Cast & Crew →

Media

'Summer of Soul' Wins Best Documentary Feature | 94th Oscars

'Summer of Soul' Wins Best Documentary Feature | 94th Oscars

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson takes home the win for his documentary Summer of Soul | EE BAFTAs 2022

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson takes home the win for his documentary Summer of Soul | EE BAFTAs 2022

SUMMER OF SOUL | Official Trailer | In Theaters and on Hulu July 2

SUMMER OF SOUL | Official Trailer | In Theaters and on Hulu July 2

PFF SpringFest Q&A | SUMMER OF SOUL

PFF SpringFest Q&A | SUMMER OF SOUL

SUMMER OF SOUL | Official Teaser

SUMMER OF SOUL | Official Teaser

Meet the Artist: Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson on SUMMER OF SOUL (...OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT

Meet the Artist: Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson on SUMMER OF SOUL (...OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT

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Reviews

A review by Louisa Moore - Screen Zealots

Written on March 9, 2021

The times, they were a’changin’ in the summer of 1969, with many turning to music as a vehicle to help them express their feelings on important social and political issues. The most famous music festival of all time, Woodstock, has seen its concert footage shown the world over. That same year in New York, over 300,000 people attended the predominantly African-American concert series known as the Harlem Cultural Festival.

The filmed performances of some of the most important artists in black music history sat in a basement for five decades, only to finally be seen in “Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” a documentary by first-time director Ahmir-Khalib “Questlove” Thompson. This concert film is a cultural and historical treasure trove of Ameri...

Read the full review on TMDb →

A review by badelf

Written on November 18, 2022

In 1969, besides Woodstock, there was also an unknown Summer of Soul Festival in New York. More specifically, in Harlem. If you're a music buff (I am), this is a must-see film. It includes amazing performances that we would otherwise not have seen. Eclipsed by Woodstock, the recordings found no takers at the time and sat in a basement for 50 years. Unearthed by Questlove, and interlaced with pertinent interviews, the music speaks for film....

Read the full review on TMDb →
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