Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival joins the Juneteenth celebration with free screening of Questlove’s SUMMER OF SOUL
As part of its participation in a city-wide celebration of Juneteenth, Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival will present a free-to-the-public screening of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary, Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), on Saturday, June 19 at the Hot Springs Farmers and Artisans Market (121 Orange Street).
HSDFF Executive Director Jennifer Gerber, said, “I cannot imagine a better film than Summer of Soul to celebrate Juneteenth in Hot Springs. We are honored to be part of a collaborative event that unites the community to commemorate this significant date. Questlove’s directorial debut is one of the most anticipated documentaries of the year and we are ecstatic to share this film which captures such an amazing event with a gorgeously vivid presentation with Hot Springs’ audiences.”
Directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson in his feature-film directorial debut, Summer Of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised) showcases filmed footage of the Harlem Cultural Festival in 1969, including never-before-seen concert performances by B.B. King, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Stevie Wonder and more. Despite the top-level talent that performed at the festival, the concert went largely unremembered and, according to the opening title of the film, the footage “sat in a basement for 50 years. It has never been seen.” Thompson and his team of producers unearthed more than 45 hours of footage to bring the film to life. The film premiered to rave reviews at the Sundance Film Festival and won both the grand jury prize and audience award.
Presented by Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort, the film stands as a testament to the healing power of music during times of unrest, both past and present. Preceding the screening will be a rousing live music performance by Little Rock natives Dazz & Brie, presented by Low Key Arts.
Juneteenth is a celebration event that has been etched in the African American Communities dating back to 1863, when 250,000 slaves in Galveston, TX, were notified by General Gordon Granger that they were now “free.” Understanding that the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, making all slaves free; however, those slaves in Galveston did not know of this freedom until two years later. To document this freedom, Juneteenth is celebrated every year on June 19, but has not been adopted into law as a Nationally recognized holiday.
Hot Springs Juneteenth Celebration event coordinator Jackie Ferguson said, “As a community we want to always strive to ‘Build Healthy Community Relationships’ by seeking to work together to do what is in the best interest of all involved. I personally find it a delight to be able to collaborate with such an amazing group of individuals who all are striving to help ‘Build a Better Community’ for now and the future,” says Ferguson.
“During a year in which the Festival will be celebrating its 30th Anniversary, everyone involved with the film festival is both reflective of our own history, as well as reaffirming our part within the Hot Springs community. As such, offering our cinematic contribution to this Juneteenth event gives us great joy, added Gerber”
2021 Juneteenth Celebration Schedule at the Hot Springs Farmers Market
5:00 pm Gates open
5:30 pm Event Begins (free hot dogs and chips will be served)
7:30 pm Live Music by Dazz and Brie
8:30 pm Free Screening of Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
2021 Juneteenth Celebration is presented in partnership with the Juneteenth Committee of Hot Springs, MLK Committee of Hot Springs, Stop the Violence Coalition of Hot Springs, Visit Hot Springs, Low Key Arts, Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort and the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival.
Looking ahead to its 30th Anniversary edition in October, the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival HSDFF plans to engage film fans and the community by hosting special events like this free Summer of Soul screening as the lead up to an anticipated happy return of in-theater screenings at the film festival Oct 8-16, 2021. HSDFF recently launched an ambitious 30-day fundraiser taking place throughout the month of June to support this Fall’s 30th Anniversary presentation of the film festival. HSDFF has been challenged to reach a goal of $30,000 within that time frame by a group of patrons who have pledged to match that amount if they succeed.
For more information on the Hot Springs Documentary Film festival, please visit: hsdfi.org.
