Soul Power (film)

Soul Power
Directed by Jeff Levy-Hinte
Produced by Leon Gast
David Sonenberg
Jeff Levy-Hinte
Production
company
Distributed by Sony Pictures Classics (theatrical)
Release dates
  • September 4, 2008 (Toronto Film Festival)
  • July 10, 2009 (United States)
Running time
 93 minutes
Country United States
Language English

Soul Power is a 2008 documentary film directed by Jeff Levy-Hinte about the Zaire 74 music festival in Kinshasa which accompanied the Rumble in the Jungle heavyweight boxing championship match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in October 1974.[1] The film was made from archival footage; other footage shot at the time focusing on the fight was edited to form the film When We Were Kings.[1]

Performers in the film include James Brown (Soul Power), The Spinners (One of a Kind), OK Jazz featuring Franco, Bill Withers (Hope She'll Be Happier), Miriam Makeba (Qongqothwane a.k.a. "The Click Song"), B.B. King (The Thrill Is Gone), Pembe Dance Troupe, The Crusaders (Put It Where You Want It), Fania All-Stars featuring Celia Cruz, Danny "Big Black" Rey, Afrisa featuring Tabu LEY, The Mighty J.B.'s (Cold Sweat) and Manu Dibango.[1]

The DVD includes bonus tracks of James Brown (Try Me), Sister Sledge (On and On), Abeti and folk dance performance Pembe Dance Troupe (Stilts and Bells).

Footage was shot by a variety of camera operators, including Albert Maysles.[1]

Music, Background and Black Power

Music played on stage makes up for about half of the running time. The rest is divided by documentary clips about the creation of the event from planning over set up of the stage and behind the scene to footage with the musicians. On DVD there are also additional longer clips with jam sessions and interviews of local citizens.

James Brown performs at the beginning of the film, sings two songs in the end and is featured with another song in the bonus track section of the DVD and is shown in the behind the scene footage as well as being no less self-assured than Ali whereas the boxer and the musicians are seen as mixing together very well and in fairly happy mood working and living for the same purpose.

Many of the artists express their views about Black Power and their role in it. Unsurprisingly Muhammad Ali uses his screen presence before the fight intensively not only to speak about imperialism and the like but also about how important it is for the movement that he will surely win. Since Foreman was delayed on account of an injury he could not appear in time for the festival and only footage from Ali could be used. We can see a short funny box fight between Philippe Wynne from The Spinners and Ali, as well as a comparison of New York City with Kinshasa by Ali telling NYC being the "real" jungle.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Scott, A.O. (2009-07-10). "Music and Musicians Still Echo 35 Years Later". New York Times.

External links