Sunday, July 21, dusk, Village Green
Aretha Franklin’s belated Amazing Grace may be the greatest movie about gospel music ever made. And that is how Orcas Island Film Festival kicks off their free, Summer Film Series Under the Stars this Sunday, July 21 at the Eastsound Village Green.
In January 1972, Aretha Franklin joined forces with the Reverend James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir to make Amazing Grace, a double live album recorded during two church services at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack documented the making of a live album and the film crew was able to catch the Queen of Soul blow the roof off the place and the shows she put on were electrifying. The 29 year old singer was returning to her gospel roots with the black church music that helped form her and fired her faith. The album sold over two million copies and became the jewel in the crown of the queen, Aretha Franklin. The album, Amazing Grace, became the best-selling gospel album of all time.
The film has never before been seen until now. Bring a chair, a blanket and get ready to be taken to “Church” under the stars! Film starts at Dusk, approximately 8:30 p.m.
