SUMMER OF SOUL Movie Review
*Disclaimer: I received an advance digital copy of this movie in order to help facilitate my review. All my opinions are 100% my own.
When I first learned about this movie coming out, I wasn’t so sure I wanted to see it but I put my fears aside and watched it. I have to say that it has a different feel compared to any movie that I’ve ever seen before and I loved the movie. You can see this movie on both Movies Anywhere and is available on Disney+ as well. Let’s look below at a little more about the film.
A Little More about Summer of Soul
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 100 miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was 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 concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & The Family Stone, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and many more.
Bonus Features
- Audio Commentary – View the film with audio commentary by director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson.
- Soul Searching – A behind-the-scenes look at Summer of Soul. We’ll learn about where the footage from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival has been, how it was uncovered and why director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson decided to tell this story now.
- Harlem: Then & Now – We revisit Mount Morris Park, location of the Harlem Cultural Festival. We learn how the neighborhood was a crossroads of culture and precarious politics and explore why Summer of Soul is so relevant during this present time of great political upheaval.
- Please note that bonus features will vary by product and retailer.
I hope that you will be able to check this movie out whether its on Movies Anywhere, Disney +, or by purchasing this movie for your very own collection. Also check out their social media accounts Twitter, Facebook and Instagram today!