Soul Power

Film Synopsis

Soul Power
Director: Jeffrey Levy-Hinte
Year: 2008
Country: USA
Duration: 92 minutes
Print source: Madman
Web: www.madman.com.au


Everybody should be familiar with the legendary 1974 Muhammad Ali vs George Foreman fight popularly known as “The Rumble In The Jungle”.  What may be less well known is the musical festival that accompanied the event. Designed to showcase African American performers and African stars the three-day event included such greats as James Brown aka “soul brother number one” and BB King and The Spinners alongside the likes of Big Black, the Fania All-Stars, Celia Cruz, and Miriam Makeba.

Soul Power - directed by Levy-Hinte who also edited When We Were Kings - tells the story of this celebration of music, punctuating the great archival footage with backstage scenes, including Ali offering some unique social commentary. With its ‘70s verite stylings, Soul Power offers a fantastic insight into a festival packed with groove, sweat and pelvis. The closing scenes of James Brown singing “Say it loud, I am black and I’m proud” offers a truly celebratory affirmation of Afrocentric possibility.