playing it loud and long
Rufus 'Funky Chicken' Thomas, Wattstax
On Boxing Day, a restoration of the funky Wattstax (1973, USA) kicks off Long Play, our new program delivering extended-run screenings of fabulous film discoveries.
Wattstax is centred around the 1972 Watts Summer Festival - a legendary day-long concert that celebrated the music, people, and racial pride of the 1970s black community in Los Angeles.
Taking place 7 years after the Watts riots brought issues of racism back into public consciousness, Wattstax is a rich tapestry incorporating footage of the community, its people, politics and history, with a series of stellar performances and behind the scenes discussions from the crème de la crème of the Stax music label. Featured artists include Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, the Emotions, the Bar-Kays, Melvin Van Peebles and the Staple Singers.
MC'ed by a young Richard Prior at the height of his comic power, and featuring a moving speech from Jesse Jackson, a wardrobe of the biggest flairs and afros you'll ever see... Wattstax is the perfect movie for the summer music festival season.
For session times and to view the trailer, click here
Screening 26 Dec 2007 - 13 Jan 2008
Published Tuesday, 11 December 2007
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