Summer of Soul

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I would have to say that Summer of Soul is a must see. This is a great documentary all about music, culture, and so much more. You won’t want to miss this. Some of you may even remember this cultural festival too. I was born almost twenty years later, but I do remember hearing a lot about this. This was definitely around the time my parents were little, so I bet they’d remember this. You’ve got to check this out if you love music. It’s something to really enjoy.

Film Synopsis

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 one hundred 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 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.

Summer of Soul is already out on digital and DVD. You can grab your own copy today. You can even get it on AMAZON.