Soul power, the documentary

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If you remember the Ali vs. Foreman in Zaire docu "When we were kings" (directed by Leon Gast and 1996 Oscar winner in its category) you know Don King also produced a music festival there to further promote the event.

"Soul Power" consists in its entirety of footage from there, and its release was postponed until 2008 probably for music copyright issues. The material is brilliant and was shot before and during the 1974 concert by some esteemed lensers like Albert Maysles (director's credit went to Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, editor of "When we were kings").

It's still playing festivals around the world (was recently in my Buenos Aires) and in it you can see The Crusaders, The Spinners, B.B. King and Miriam Makeba, plus some colorful African bands that also played at the concert. The closer is Mr. James Brown in full Seventies gear (think big greasy hair and mustache) doing several hits and chanting with the locals "Say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud".

But the real star of the film is Muhammad Ali. Every time he pops onscreen he effortlessly steals the show. Man, the charisma of this guy. There's a scene where he greets James Brown at the airport and you can feel the Godfather of Soul getting small and humble in front of this giant. A moving scene from a standard-style (but full of high-value testimony) documentary. If you didn't see it, don't miss it.

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Oh, I almost forgot: there are scenes of the teenagers Sister Sledge rehearsing and learning dance steps from the locals (sadly there are no footage of them onstage).