Oh Lord! In 1972 Aretha Franklin recorded her greatest gospel album, and director Sydney Pollack was there to capture the explosive spiritual music, Aretha’s singular charisma, the African-American community in Los Angeles, period outfits and the ecstasy. As The New York Times wrote: “Don’t bother with tissues. Bring a towel!”
In 1972 Aretha Franklin recorded her greatest gospel album, and director Sydney Pollack was there in a church on the south side of Los Angeles to capture the event: the fiery music and charisma of the singular Aretha, the city’s Black community (both as musicians and audience), the period outfits, the ecstasy. “It will make you feel as if you’ve seen the face of God,” wrote Rolling Stone. This concert movie shows how African-American pop music kept in touch with its spiritual roots and lost none of its original purpose. You will even see Mick Jagger in the audience. For legal and technical reasons the film waited 46 years for its premiere. Its reception has been all the more intense because the delay has allowed us to remember the late singer at her peak.
Pavel Klusák
87 min / Color, DCP
Director Alan Elliott, Sydney Pollack
/ Music Alexander Hamilton
/ Editor Jeff Buchanan
/ Producer Alan Elliott, Joe Boyd, Rob Johnson, Chiemi Karasawa, Spike Lee, Sabrina V. Owens, Jerry Wexler, Tirrell D. Whittley, Joseph Woolf
/ Sales Fifth Season
/ Contact SPI International
/ Distributor Bontonfilm, a.s.
Alan Elliott (b. 1964). Filmography: Amazing Grace (2018, doc.)
Sydney Pollack (b. 1934, Lafayette, Indiana – 2008, Los Angeles). Selected filmography: They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), The Way We Were (1973), Three Days of the Condor (1975), Tootsie (1982), Out of Africa (1985), The Interpreter (2005), Amazing Grace (2018, doc.)
Fifth Season
560 Wilshire Blvd, 90212, Los Angeles
United States of America
Phone: +1 310 270 4900
E-mail: [email protected]
Bontonfilm, a.s.
Na Poříčí 1047/26, 110 00, Praha 1
Czech Republic
Phone: +420 257 415 111
E-mail: [email protected]
SPI International
55 White Streety, Suite 1A, 10013, New York
United States of America
Phone: +1 212 673 5103
Fax: +1 212 673 5183
E-mail: [email protected]
First-hand brews throughout the year.
Be among the first to learn about upcoming events and other news. We only send the newsletter when we have something to say.
