On June 26, The Knockturnal was invited to Harlem for an advanced screening and post-brunch for Searchlight Pictures’ latest documentary – Summer of Soul: A Questlove Jawn.
Hosted by Harlem icon and world-renowned fashion designer Dapper Dan with a special cameo from singer and POSE star LeA Robinson, the private viewing took place at AMC Magic Johnson theater and promptly began around 11:15 A.M. Immediately after the two-hour screening, attendees walked over to Chocolat for an all-expenses-paid brunch.
Centered around the historic footage of The Harlem Cultural Festival, a six-week event that happened in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park) during the Summer of 1969, this film brings to the forefront an epic, yet gravely under-recognized event that aimed to celebrate Black history, culture and fashion in all of its eclectic, soulful and marvelous splendor.
In his official debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson strikes cinematic gold as he creates a captivating and highly meaningful documentary. Structured as part music film and part historical record, the film seeks to examine the healing power of music for members of the Black Diaspora during times of societal unrest and turbulence, both present and past.
Dubbed by many as the “Black Woodstock,” the renowned presentation includes never-before-seen concert performances by some of the most iconic Black musicians ever to embrace the world of music: Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & The Family Stone, Gladys Knight, and the Pips, Ray Baretto, Abbey Lincoln, Max Roach and many more.
‘Summer of Soul’ ‘premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it won both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. It will stream on Hulu in conjunction with Disney’s new BIPOC Creator Initiative; Searchlight Pictures will release it theatrically.
Check it out on Hulu and in theaters across the nation on July 2nd.
