A new documentary centered around the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival is headed to Hulu and theaters this summer, with Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson of the Roots at the helm of the storytelling.
Summer of Soul, directed by Questlove, is described as “part music film, part historical record.” The doc will take viewers through the self-proclaimed Black Woodstock, which drew dozens of people to Harlem’s Mount Morris (now Marcus Garvey Park) over six weeks to recount the epic tales of Black history, culture and fashion.
The story is told with unreleased and rare footage from the event, including unseen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, and many more.
Summer of Soul is a well-timed picture, according to its official synopsis. The doc will shed light on “the importance of history to our spiritual well-being and stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past, and present.”
Questlove’s directorial debut for Summer of Soul has already yielded positive results, winning both the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
The film is scheduled to arrive on July 2.
Peep the Summer of Soul trailer below.