Summer of Soul (2021)

Together with Amsterdam-based music platform Steppin' Into Tomorrow we go back to the summer of 1969. Over the course of six weeks, just one hundred miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was never seen and largely forgotten–until now. In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson (The Roots) presents a powerful and transporting documentary—part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. 'Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)' shines a 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. The feature includes never-before-seen concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more.

Melkweg often hosts different types of programmes at the same time, such as concerts, club nights and films. Please note that there may occasionally be some noise pollution from other programmes during the screening.