Questlove unburies cultural treasure chest filled with Black joy in ‘Summer of Soul’
Grade: 4.0/5.0
It’s the summer of 1969 in Harlem, a buzzing neighborhood in Manhattan, New York. Children dance, couples hold hands and people tear up as they watch their favorite musicians perform songs that speak to their souls. At this event at Mount Morris Park, energy radiates from the crowd and it may be the most Black people you’ve seen in one place, ever. It’s the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969 and the documentary film “Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),” directed by Questlove, uncovers this noteworthy event that was washed away in history.
The Harlem Cultural Festival, which was founded and hosted by Tony Lawrence, went on for six weeks in the summer with about 300,000 people in attendance. “Summer of Soul” artfully interweaves performances from the festival with interviews of attendees and musicians, all while touching on the historical phenomena of the time. The footage of the festival, recorded by Hal Tulchin, was quite literally out of sight and mind, as it was tucked away in a basement for 50 years, never seen before by large audiences — until now.
Harlem was already the place to be when it came to Black culture, music, fashion and more, but the Harlem Cultural Festival was the ultimate paragon of all such things.
During a time when Black America was losing hope following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a period of civil unrest, the festival was a much-needed joyful release.
The film becomes even more engaging as it comments on the politics, fashion and culture surrounding the festival. As viewers see footage of the people in the crowd, some interviewees describe the attire they wear: bell-bottoms, leather vests, silk. Jim McFarland, a former tailor, describes Harlem as a “melting pot of Black style,” which was also undergoing a revolution at the time in which Black Americans became interested in wearing Afrocentric clothing.
While thousands of people were grooving to performers such as Sly and the Family Stone and David Ruffin that summer, American astronauts landed on the moon for the first time. The documentary features the mixed reactions to this event, with some people astonished by the powers of science while others question the endeavor considering the costs, especially when the funds could have aided those in poverty. By including moments such as these, viewers who watch the film expecting to learn a little bit more about Harlem and Black music are provided with so much more.
The Harlem Cultural Festival was at the nexus of so many historical events and featured influential characters in history, both musical and not. One of the more somber moments featured in “Summer of Soul” is when gospel singers Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples sing the song “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” which was Dr. King’s favorite song. Although the song itself is moving, Jesse Jackson’s account of Dr. King’s final moments makes the performance feel especially powerful and intimate, showing how the Harlem Cultural Festival was a space where Black Americans came to heal collectively through the power of music and community.
Considering the festival was already recorded and no performances could be reshot, the footage in “Summer of Soul” is skillfully edited to create an intriguing story with snippets of new information at every turn. For viewers who may not be interested in watching every musical performance, the film may feel like it needs to pick up the pace at some points. But for those who wish to gain a musical experience, they will likely find fulfillment in watching the never-before-seen performances by renowned musicians such as Gladys Knight & the Pips, Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone.
It’s no doubt that the Harlem Cultural Festival moved attendees and the performers who graced the stage. “Summer of Soul” gives people who never got the chance to experience the event a glimpse of what immense Black joy and pride looks like — and it’s absolutely golden.
Daniella Lake covers culture and diversity. Contact her at dlake@dailycal.org.