Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
2021 · Movie · PG-13 · 117 min · ★ 7.6 · 98% critics
Set during the summer of Woodstock, this documentary follows the Harlem Cultural Festival, where more than 300,000 people gathered to celebrate African American music and culture. Hidden footage from the event sat unseen for over 50 years, until it was rediscovered and finally shared.
Also known as Summer of Soul (...or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) · Summer of Soul (…or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) · Summer of Soul
Where to watch
Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2021
- Release date
- 2021-07-02
- Language
- English
- Rated
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Max quality
- UHD
- Critic score
- 98/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.6/10 (220 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you love major live music moments and want historical context that spotlights Black pride and unity; Not for you if you prefer music without interviews, or if you strongly dislike frequent religious emphasis, similar to David Byrne's American Utopia.
Pros: incredible long-lost performances; strong cultural context; uplifting energy | Cons: runs long; too many interviews; heavy religious tone
Themes
- jazz
- empowerment
- blues
- civil rights
- rhythm and blues (r&b)
- music festival
- music history
- concert film
- harlem, new york city
- 1960s
- music documentary
- funk music
- +6 more
Awards & recognition
- Sundance Audience Award: U.S. Documentary · 2021
- Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize — Best Documentary · 2021
Cast & crew
Stevie Wonder
as Self
Lin-Manuel Miranda
as Self - Artist
Chris Rock
as Self - Artist
Tony Lawrence
as Self - Harlem Cultural Festival Producer & Host (archive footage)
Nina Simone
as Self (archive footage)
B.B. King
as Self (archive footage)
Abbey Lincoln
as Self (archive footage)
Mavis Staples
as Self - Singer (archive footage) (voice)
Mahalia Jackson
as Self (archive footage)
- DR
David Ruffin
as Self
Directed by Questlove