"Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)" Early Movie Review

 

by John Zenoni and Ran

Roots drummer Amir "Questlove" Thompson's directorial debut is this documentary detailing the mostly-forgotten Harlem Cultural Festival, a six-week celebration of Black art that spanned most of the summer of 1969. This may be your first time hearing about the event because, while it was filmed, the footage was almost immediately stored in a basement, where it stayed for nearly 50 years, when the producers failed to find any interest from exhibitors.

While the festival itself was incredible, what's even harder to believe is its position as an obscure relic lost to time. The Harlem Cultural Festival, which was free to the public and held at the 20-acre Mount Morris Park (now named Marcus Garvey Park), drew a crowd of at least 300,000 and featured unqualified music superstars, including, but not limited to: Sly and the Family Stone, B.B. King, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, The 5th Dimension (giving their first Harlem performance), David Ruffin and a 19-year-old Stevie Wonder (he even plays a drum solo!). Lasting six weeks, each weekend focused on a different genre, including: Broadway in Harlem; the Gospel Festival; the Caribbean Festival; the Blues & Jazz Festival; and the Miss Harlem Beauty Pageant and Local Talent show. Even then NYC mayor John V. Lindsay showed up and spoke to the crowd -- as did Rev. Jesse Jackson. It's worth noting that the event was funded by both the city of New York and Maxwell House (I was surprised to learn that Maxwell House released a commercial detailing coffee's African origins).

As the footage reveals, there was greater interest in the festival than in the Moon Landing, which occurred during the middle of the event, in Harlem. And some Harlemites express the belief that the HCF was instrumental in preventing riots in the area (Harlem, along with 100 American cities erupted in violence following Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination the previous year.)   

The "soul" part of the documentary's title has a double-meaning. Yes, the festival was Black but it also featured a heavy gospel component. Aside from Mahalia Jackson, Pop Staple & the Staple Singers performed and the Edwin Hawkins Singers graced the crowd with their international hit "Oh Happy Day". And don't think the event was no laughing matter. Comedians Willie Tyler (& Lester) and Moms Mabley hit the stage as well

While event host and producer Tony Lawrence did a masterful job of compiling a legendary line-up of talent for the festival, Questlove should be commended for recruiting such a formidable list of interviewees for the documentary. He gets takes from Stevie Wonder, Chris Rock, Rev. Al Sharpton, Mavis Staples, Lin-Manuel and Luis Miranda, Sheila E. and former NY Times reporter Charlayne Hunter-Gault, who, along with orthopedic physician Hamilton Holmes, comprised the pair of African-American students who integrated the University of Georgia. Even better, several festival attendees detail their personal experiences.

Summer of Soul (Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is the best early contender for the Best Documentary Academy Award-winner next year. The film already won Grand Jury prize and the Audience Award at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. Another music festival that took place that summer (a mere 100 miles away) got all of the notoriety and the first documentary to focus on it went on to become the fifth highest-grossing film of 1970. If there's any justice in the world, Summer of Soul won't fall into obscurity like the event on which it's based.

Great review, Ran, and you captured my sentiments exactly. Anyone who knows me well knows how much I love music and I don’t even know where to begin in terms of describing how I felt watching this ‘lost piece of art.’ And that's exactly what this is. First of all, it's a documentary about music so that's a plus to begin with. Also, I loved how the film balanced the actual footage of the performers and the event itself while allowing those who attended and/or performed to recount their feelings of actually being there in the moment without taking too much away from the music. A lot of times, docs will spend too much time focusing on people recounting their memories versus showing actual footage so you don’t really feel like you experience the moment yourself. I felt totally immersed in the feeling of the concert and it was an absolute honor watching the musicians/comedians/performers and speakers at this event.

As Ran mentioned in his review, some of the performers included Sly and the Family Stone, B.B. King, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, The 5th Dimension, David Ruffin, who had just left The Temptations, and Stevie Wonder. I recall hearing so many things about the legend that is Mahalia Jackson while growing up and hearing her voice bellow out such beautiful gospel music. But this is the first time I had ever seen her perform and it was amazing. Then on top of that, to have a young Mavis Staples perform with her was just incredible. Sly and the Family Stone really drew the crowd together - literally, as people got so excited they were pushing forward and it was scary for a bit - but things settled down and everyone then just got into it. The lady backup singers/musicians in the band - let me just say were amazing! The one lady who would sing backup then jump back into playing the trumpet was just incredible. Also, Gladys Knight and the Pips were also spot on; but the Pips and the dancing they did was fantastic. Finally, I loved watching Billy Davis, Jr. and Marilyn McCoo perform as part of The Fifth Dimension. I especially loved Marilyn’s statement, ‘How can one put a color on sound?’

This festival had everything for everyone - gospel, R&B, blues, soul, rock, latin sounds, and more. Do yourself a favor and watch this wonderful documentary! It's amazing!

Coming to theaters and Hulu on July 2.