Watch Soul Power

Soul Power is a 2008 documentary film that follows the iconic music festival, Zaire 74. The movie is directed by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte and features some of the biggest names in the history of music and boxing, such as James Brown, Muhammad Ali, and Don King. The movie begins by introducing the viewer to the cultural significance of the festival. Zaire at the time was a newly independent African country that wanted to showcase its artistic and cultural heritage to the world. To do this, a festival was organized that would bring together African and African-American musicians to perform alongside some of the biggest names in music.

The documentary then proceeds to chronicle the making of the festival, including the many challenges and roadblocks that the organizers faced. One of the biggest challenges was finding a way to broadcast the music to billions of people all over the world. Thankfully, a young entrepreneur by the name of Don King stepped in to help. He had the vision and the resources to make it happen, and soon enough, Zaire 74 was set to become the biggest music festival the world had ever seen.

One of the most memorable moments in the documentary is the appearance of Muhammad Ali, who was in Zaire to fight George Foreman in what would be dubbed the Rumble in the Jungle. Ali was at the peak of his career at the time and his larger-than-life persona was a natural fit for the festival. The film captures some of Ali's most memorable moments, including his famous "rope-a-dope" technique which allowed him to defeat his opponent in a thrilling upset.

The documentary also showcases the many talented musicians who performed at the festival, including James Brown, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest performers of all time. Brown's electrifying performance at the festival cemented his status as a musical legend, and the documentary does an excellent job of capturing the raw energy of his live shows.

The movie also features interviews with some of the key players behind the festival, including the original organizers and musicians. Through their recollections, the viewer gains a deeper insight into the cultural and political significance of the festival, as well as the many challenges that had to be overcome to bring it to fruition.

Overall, Soul Power is a fascinating and compelling documentary that offers a unique insight into one of the most important cultural events of the 20th century. The movie expertly captures the many emotions and energy of the festival and serves as a fitting tribute to the many talented artists and performers who made it happen. Whether you are a fan of music, boxing, or African culture, Soul Power is a must-see movie that is sure to entertain and inspire.

Soul Power is a 2008 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 76.