danielchace

This is a definitive film about an American icon. It is beautifully crafted and surprisingly immersive and emotional, touching on themes of race, language, civil rights and creativity among many others. Beyond being an entertaining and comprehensive exploration of a fascinating life, it shall correctly be considered "important," especially for these times. The film was accepted to Cannes, has won multiple festival awards, and deserves Oscar nomination. Not only is it the result of a successful first-time collaboration between Co-Directors Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn Whack, it is the most ambitious documentary (of many strong ones) produced by Media Process Group. The long creative partnership between Hercules and acclaimed cinematographer Keith Walker is on full display in this big feature doc, anchored by gorgeous interviews with a large cast of notables (including Maya Angelou, Cicely Tyson, Oprah Winfrey, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Quincy Jones, Louis Gossett Jr., and many others) and backed by a thorough array of exceptional archival footage and rare still images. I highly recommend it.