SUNDANCE 2021: 'Summer of Soul: When the revolution could not be televised'

Illustration by Jo. E

1969 brought about some of the most iconic music events in a single year: Led Zeppelin's debut album Led Zeppelin, The Beatles last performance on the roof of Apple Corps, the debut of The Jackson 5 and perhaps, the most famous music festival ever: Woodstock. However, little has been said (or known) about a similarly iconic event that took place the same year: the Harlem Cultural Festival, a celebration of Black music and Black pride. Although most of the festival was filmed and stored, the footage had remained unreleased until this year.

In this hour-long concert documentary/film fittingly directed by Questlove of 'The Roots', Summer of Soul showcases the black music that was being created at the time and the contextual shape of society during those summer months. ‘69 was the year of Nixon's new and racist administration which pushed back against research, clearly demonstrating the very real effects of racism on mental health. Simultaneously, ‘69 was also the year leaders of Black liberation movements were being murdered left and right; this included but was not limited to MLK, Malcolm X and several others.

If this rings a bell, it's because it's a bell that has echoed long past 1969. Whilst watching the Summer of Soul documentary and viewing footage of riots and protests, I was reminded of turning on my own TV during 2020's summer and witnessing parallel scenes in the wake of George Floyd's murder, more than 50 years later. The reflection of this makes it all the more understandable as to why the team behind Soul of Summer chose now to reveal this part of Black history; except within the medium of the documentary, they take the opportunity to also juxtapose those experiences with the magic and light of artists that were defining their genres. 

The interviews that intercut the music are (mostly) just as touching, from women who were breaking segregation barriers at the time and attendees, now elderly, who were convinced that they dreamt up that beautiful summer since it was never held or showcased again. There were, of course, the stray celebrity interviews that felt aggrandizing (what exactly does Lin-Manuel Miranda have to reclaim!?) but perhaps that's to be expected with someone as well-connected as Questlove heading up the doc. Even so, it's easy to forgive the less relevant moments when the documentary also offers us scenes such as the profound reassurance of Nina Simone's "To Be Young, Gifted and Black" and the simple joy of David Ruffin riffing on "My Girl".

Even though Summer of Soul spends most of its screen time showing stunning musical performances, it is evident in every second that its purpose is to reclaim a tumultuous time in Black history and give back to us the joy we've earned. It reminds us that although our revolution may be ongoing and stressful, it is a labour of love. And that even in darkness, sometimes, it can still be possible to see the light.  

By Jessica Vance

(she/her)

Illustration by Jo E. (IG: @poltaro)