Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

PG-13

Released Jul 2, 2021

1 hr. 57 min.

Documentary

Music

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List

99%

221 Reviews

Tomatometer

98%

100+ Verified Ratings

Audience Score

In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, 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 never seen and 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 never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Baretto, Abbey Lincoln & Max Roach and more.

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Critics Consensus

Deftly interweaving incredible live footage with a series of revealing interviews, Summer of Soul captures the spirit and context of a watershed moment while tying it firmly to the present.

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Audience Consensus

Summer of Soul will be educational for a lot of viewers, but whether or not you know about the history behind it, this incredible music is not to be missed.

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Mikhail

Amazing! This movie really moved me and left me wanting more. That's both a good and bad thing but this is definitely worth the watch if you have any interest in music at all.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/22

Full Review

gamejukr

It's a disgrace that this sat for 50 years unseen. Sound was incredible and the way the film was re-cut made the wait worth it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/27/21

Full Review

Tom A.

My favorite documentary of any concert. Absolute magic. Mind-blowing footage and heart-melting music. Historical and emotional. Stevie at age 19 and Mahalia Jackson! what more do you need to know? See it in the theater to support the project.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/21

Full Review

Robert

Some great history, perspectives and the music was great. Especially Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, too.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/21

Full Review

Merle

Thanks QuestLove OMG we uberly enjoyed Summer of Soul!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/04/21

Full Review

Robert

A great documentary about an event I didn't even know happened in the summer of 1969! Enjoyed the innocence and graciousness of the performers and attendees.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

08/01/21

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Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson

Director

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Self

Stevie Wonder

Self

B.B. King

Self

Chris Rock

Self

Nina Simone

Self

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Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised): Trailer 1

1:57

Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised): Trailer 1

0:58

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Kenneth Womack

Salon.com

As with the best films, Questlove's narrative is shrouded in mystery, while leaving an emotional resonance that won't be soon forgotten.

Jul 11, 2022

Full Review

Kambole Campbell

Hyperallergic

Despite being a first feature, Summer of Soul concisely balances performance, interview, and history in its own rhythmic fashion.

Aug 3, 2021

Full Review

David Fear

Rolling Stone

Summer of Soul is both a tribute to the artists and, just as importantly, their audience -- which is what makes it not just a great concert film but a great documentary, period.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 2, 2021

Full Review

Marya E. Gates

Cool People Have Feelings, Too. (Substack)

Come for a great music doc with historic performances, and stay for a much-needed reconsideration of what exactly counts as collective "American" cultural history.

Feb 12, 2024

Full Review

Kevin Bourne

SHIFTER

Summer of Soul isn’t just music history—it’s Black history. This film is an invitation to "come home" and absolutely essential for those who want to relive the coming of age of Black music.

Jul 19, 2023

Full Review

Bill Brioux

Brioux.tv

Thank God somebody filmed it and the footage survived long enough for this doc to emerge in time to help celebrate the end of isolation.

Sep 20, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, 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 never seen and 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 never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Baretto, Abbey Lincoln & Max Roach and more.

Director: Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson
Executive Producer: Jody Allen, David Barse, Rocky Collins, Ron Eisenberg, Jen Isaacson, Jon Kamen, David Sirulnick, Ruth Johnston, Jannat Gargi, Beth Hubbard, Davis Guggenheim, Laurene Powell-Jobs, Jeffrey Lurie, Marie Therese Guirgis
Distributor: Searchlight Pictures
Production Co: Two One Five Entertainment, Play/Action Pictures, Concordia Studio, Mass Distraction Media, Vulcan Productions, LarryBilly Productions, RadicalMedia
Rating: PG-13 (Smoking|Brief Drug Material|Some Disturbing Images)
Genre: Documentary, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 2, 2021, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 2, 2021
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.3M
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital, Stereo

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