Two days after receiving the Sundance Documentary Jury Grand Prize, Summer Of Soul (… Or, when the revolution could not be televised) was chosen by Searchlight and Hulu.
The acquisition of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson as a debut director is for worldwide rights, says parent company Disney in a deal made by Disney General Entertainment’s BIPOC Creator initiative, led by Tara Duncan and brokerage by Cinetic Media.
Featuring Sly and the Family Stone, Nina Simone, Mahalia Jackson, the Staples Sisters, Stevie Wonder, Glady Knight and the Pips, Max Roach, Abby Lincoln and many more, the musical themed documentary set for a theatrical release, as well as streaming on Hulu in America and internationally on Star and Star +.
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‘Summer Of Soul’ director, Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson on Lost ‘Black Woodstock’ and Cultural Erasure – Sundance Studio
A real capsule of their time and now, Summer of the Soul it is full of newly discovered images from the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, almost forgotten but full of stars. In that sense, the film is “an exhilarating and punishing experience, as I said in my review on January 28, when it premiered at the Virtual Sundance Film Festival seminar – where the film also won the audience’s award.
“I am very honored to be able to manifest my dreams after all this time,” said drummer and music historian Roots Thompson today, after the long deal was made public. “This is truly an honor. Summer Of Soul it’s a passionate project and having resonance with so many people on so many levels has been incredibly rewarding. I am very happy to start this new chapter with the Searchlight / Disney / Hulu team and I look forward to sharing the important story behind the film with audiences worldwide. “
Disney executives are also very excited about what was a high-priced bidding war, sources told me.
“It is rare to find a film that captures the breadth of the black American experience and also makes you want to dance, witness and sing out loud,” said Duncan. “Ahmir presented us with a jewel brilliantly worked and almost forgotten in our history, and we are honored to help bring Summer Of Soul to the public. “
“Ahmir made an incredible and inspiring debut film that is timeless and relevant,” said Nancy Utley and Steve Gilula, president of Searchlight, about the new look of politics and music in what was called “Black Woodstock” at the time. “We are very proud to be involved in bringing this cultural celebration to the widest possible audience, both in theaters and at home.”
“Summer of Soul (or when the revolution could not be televised) it’s a joyful and revealing documentary directed by one of the most talented artists of his generation, ”said Rebecca Campbell, president, International Operations & Direct-to-Consumer, part of Disney Media Entertainment Distribution. “We are honored with Hulu and our upcoming Star and Star + offers will be the exclusive streaming houses worldwide for this innovative film.”
Summer Of Soul is produced by Joseph Patel, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein with RadicalMedia. Jen Isaacson, Jon Kamen, Dave Sirulnick, Jody Allen, Ruth Johnston, Rocky Collins, Jannat Gargi, Beth Hubbard, Davis Guggenheim, Laurene Powell Jobs, Jeffrey Lurie, Marie Therese Guirgis, David Barse, Ron Eisenberg, Sheila Johnson and Questlove himself serve as EPs. Jonathan Silberberg and Nicole Stott are executive co-producers. The document is a production by Vulcan Productions in association with Concordia Studio, Play / Action Pictures, LarryBilly Productions and produced by Mass Distraction Media and RadicalMedia.