7:15 pm | PG-13 | 1h 32min | Documentary, Music | (2008) | Film Producer Leon Gast of Woodstock will Introduce Screening and Conduct Audience Q&A Afterwards
Among the legendary musicians and personalities in this film: “Godfather of Soul” James Brown, Trombonist Fred Wesley, Saxophonist Maceo Parker, Festival Promoter Don King, Muhammad Ali, The Spinners, B.B. King, Bill Withers, “La Reina de la Salsa” Celia Cruz, Hugh Masekela, Black Nationalist Stokely Carmichael, Saxophonist Manu Dibango, Miriam Makeba, Sister Sledge, The Crusaders, Larry Carlton, Joe Sample, and Conga Player Ray Barretto.
In 1974, the most celebrated American soul, jazz, salsa and R&B acts of the time came together with the most renowned musical groups in Africa for a 12-hour, three-night concert held in Kinshasa, Zaire. This music festival became a reality when combined with “The Rumble in the Jungle,” the epic fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, chronicled in the Academy Award-winning documentary WHEN WE WERE KINGS. SOUL POWER is a verité documentary about the legendary music festival “Zaire ‘74” and captures musical luminaries who were inspired by this return to their African roots and gave the performances of their lives. SOUL POWER is crafted from the “outtakes” from the boxing film. The concert film was edited from over 125 hours of footage.
Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Director/Producer of Soul Power, also produced the documentaries SOUL POWER and DUNGEON MASTERS, as well as the award-winning film THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, directed by Lisa Cholodenko. His ROMAN POLANSKI: WANTED AND DESIRED, screened at Sundance and Cannes. Additionally, Levy-Hinte produced indie hits MYSTERIOUS SKIN, THIRTEEN, and LAUREL CANYON. Additionally, Jeffrey edited the 1996 Academy Award-winning documentary WHEN WE WERE KINGS.