Soul Power

Director Jeffrey Levy-Hinte does a terrific job re-creating a landmark moment, with behind-the-scenes footage complementing triumphant performances.
-Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Offers a vivid glimpse of a fascinating moment in musical history, racial politics and global pop culture.
-A.O Scott, New York Times
Soul Power turns out to be an unusually resonant time capsule, one that weaves together theatrics, musicianship, cosmopolitanism and sharp political critique in a vibrant look-back that's at once celebratory and wistful.
-Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

Synopsis

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. 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. SOUL POWER finally provides today’s audience the opportunity to experience this historic musical event.

Theatrical Release Date

Friday, August 07, 2009
Original Languages: English
Genre: Documentary
Running Time: 97 min.
Year: 2009

CREDITS

CAST
B.B. King
Celia Cruz
Don King
James Brown
Muhammed Ali
DIRECTED BY
Jeffrey Levy-Hinte

PHOTOS

The Spinners. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
James Brown. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Left to Right: Jonny Pacheco and Celia Cruz. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Miriam Makeba. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Left to Right: James Brown and Lloyd Price. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
The Spinners. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Left to Right: Stewart Levine and Lloyd Price. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
B.B. King. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Bill Withers. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
James Brown. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
James Brown. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
B.B. King. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
James Brown. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
James Brown. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
James Brown. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Muhammad Ali. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Left to Right: Muhammad Ali, Bill Withers, and Don King. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
James Brown. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Celia Cruz. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved
Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
B.B. King. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Manu Dibango. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Celia Cruz. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved
Celia Cruz. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved
Miriam Makeba. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.
Bill Withers. Photos Courtesy of Antidote Films ©, Property of Sony Pictures Classics, All Rights Reserved.