Summer of Soul (2021)

During the summer of 1969, the Harlem Cultural Festival, a series of six concerts held in the then Mount Morris Park, became known as the Black Woodstock as a counterpart to that other musical festival taking place the same year. Featuring a wide range of artists such as Gladys Knight and the Pips, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, the Fifth Dimension, and Nina Simone, filmed footage of the concerts were not seen by the general public since that year. The treatment of the footage is very similar to other concert films I have watched recently, namely Soul Power and Wattstax, with the power of the performances being interrupted by talking head interviews. The interviews here do include reflections from people who were actually at the event which gives context to what it means in modern times to the communities represented but I would love to see more of the performers. The glimpse at fashions and styles of the time are great; I want to recreate the Brady Bunch-esque stage background somewhere in my house.  

Oscar Win: Best Documentary Feature