Wattstax

USA 1973, 103 minutes
Dir. Mel Stuart
Rating: [Exempt]
Genres: Music, Documentary / R&B/Hip-hop

Topics: African-American, Politics, Indigenous & Minority Cultures.

Aroview: A little-seen yet significant concert film of the 'Wattstax' festival in Los Angeles in 1972, organised to commemorate the 7th anniversary of the Watts race riots.

Billed as a 'black Woodstock' this featured the best Afro-American soul, rock and funk talents of the day as well as some searing political rhetoric. Includes performances by Isaac Hayes, The Staple Singers, Luther Ingram, Johnnie Taylor, The Emotions, Rufus Thomas, Carla Thomas, Albert King, and The Bar-Kays. Extremely groovy stuff, with the added bonus of Richard Pryor, who provides a running commentary of acts and events.

Incredible Film Fest 2003