Matinee Movie Screening: Summer of Soul Documentary

Be dazzled watching this phenomenal documentary highlighting some of the soul and gospel acts that were part of the 6-week Harlem Cultural Festival. Thrill to watching groups such as Gladys Knight and the Pips early in their career juxtaposed against current interviews with the musicians. Hear festival attendees recount the importance of this event as a tribute to black culture and a response to the recent losses of black leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King. This series of events were a milestone that provided solace, through gospel choir and hymns as well as pride in the abundant musical prowess in the black community.  

Amazingly, although the footage was all but forgotten for fifty years, Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, where it won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. 

American, 2021, 2 hours  

After viewing this movie, you’ll want to join us on Thursday, 6/20/24 for Richie Unterberger’s presentation featuring rare clips of some of the Summer of Soul artists. Note he will be showing different clips from those in the documentary.