SUMMER OF SOUL (. . .OR WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED) Feature Films In Person at AFI Silver

SUMMER

Following the screening, watch a special conversation with director Ahmir  Thompson/Questlove moderated by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture Curator Dwandalyn Reece.

In 1969, the same summer as Woodstock, another epic music festival – celebrating American music and African American history – took place in Harlem, New York. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson makes his filmmaking debut with a documentary of never-before-seen concert footage from the Harlem Cultural Festival shot over 50 years ago.

Part concert film, part historical record, the documentary captures a joyful cultural moment in America that has been largely overlooked. Interviews with those who attended the event are deftly weaved with the festival performances from Stevie Wonder, Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples, Sly & the Family Stone, Nina Simone and others. The result is a captivating and thrilling celebration of Black culture and pride. –Sarah Harris

Continue the conversation on DOCS Connect with filmmakers and audience members, here.

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is a drummer, DJ, filmmaker, producer, culinary entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author and member of the Roots. He is musical director for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. A four-time Grammy® winner, Thompson has also released four books, including Mixtape Potluck. He co-produced the Grammy®-winning original Broadway cast recording of “Hamilton.” Thompson also hosts his own podcast, Questlove Supreme, on iHeartRadio.

Details

Country: USA

Year: 2021

Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

Producers: Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent, David Dinerstein

Executive Producers: Jen Isaacson, Jon Kamen, Dave Sirulnick, Jody Allen, Ruth Johnston, Rocky Collins, Jannat Gargi, Beth Hubbard, Davis Guggenheim, Laurene Powell Jobs, Jeffrey Lurie, Marie Therese Guirgis, David Barse, Ron Eisenberg, Sheila Johnson, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

Director of Photography: Shawn Peters

Editor: Joshua L. Pearson

Running Time (minutes): 117

Language: English

Accessibility: Closed Captions Available

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