Most everyone remembers "The Rumble in the Jungle," the 1974 heavyweight championship fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in Kinshasa, Zaire, but who remembers "Zaire 74," the music festival that was organized to go along with it? "Soul Power," a vibrant and joyous new documentary, should end that anonymity. Among the highlights are B.B. King, Bill Withers, Celia Cruz, Miriam Makeba and the legendary Zaire ensembles OK Jazz and Orchestre Afrisa. The amazing thing about these 35-year-old performances is how fresh and alive they are. Kenneth Turan's review of Soul Power at the LA TimesSynopsis Soul Power
In 1974, the most celebrated American R&B acts of the time came together with the most renowned musical groups in Africa for a 12-hour, three-night long concert held in Kinshasa, Zaire. The dream-child of Hugh Masekela and Stewart Levine, this music festival became a reality when they convinced boxing promoter Don King to combine the event with “The Rumble in the Jungle,” the epic fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, previously chronicled in the Academy Award-winning documentary WHEN WE WERE KINGS. "Soul Power" is a verité documentary about this legendary music festival (dubbed “Zaire ‘74”), and it depicts the experiences and performances of such musical luminaries as James Brown, BB King, Bill Withers, Celia Cruz, among a host of others. At the peak of their talents and the height of their careers, these artists were inspired by this return to their African roots, as well as the enthusiasm of the Zairian audience, to give the performances of their lives.
Director: Jeffrey Levy-Hinte
Genres: Concerts, Music History, Music
Opened July 10, 2009 Runtime:1 hr. 33 min.
Showtimes for Soul Time from Fandango
Subscribe to Only Movies Worth Watching by Email Alert
(Please note that immediately after you subscribe you will be sent a confirmation email that you must respond to to begin your subscription. If you do not see the email in your inbox shortly, please check your spam folder for an email from "noreply+feedproxy@google.com". We also recommend you "white list" that email address for successful delivery to your inbox going forward.)
No comments:
Post a Comment