We saw this film here in LA this past Monday and it was incredibly moving. Seeing the Civil Rights movement in a way not before depicted (and we’ve all seen the PBS docs over the years) was both humbling and encouraging. A mix of interviews with the leaders of the movement and performances by contemporary artists, the film’s backbone is the music – and how the people fighting for their freedom and equality used the power of Freedom Songs to spread their message and give themselves and each other strength. I personally reacted with a mixture of tears, chills and laughter while watching and listening to the heros who were there, recount their experiences and even sing the songs themselves that got them thru what seems like unimaginable times. Over the past week we’ve seen this use of song repeated in the footage coming in from Haiti with the same principle, singing for peace and strength in times of little hope. If you are in NYC – there are screenings ALL WEEK at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Please go & support this film! Trust us – you will not be disappointed.
[Via FroLab]