This gripping documentary analyzes the role of music in social justice movements, tracing how it has accompanied civil rights struggles over different generations as well as distances. Thanks to the documentary’s informative discussions with prominent musicians such as Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, or Kendrick Lamar, it is possible to understand how music helps transform society and brings people together. The feature film combines a historical perspective and contemporary recollections so as to illustrate vividly how music is inspiring and mobilizing.
Cast:
Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, and Kendrick Lamar who decided to work on the film and became prime contributors.
An activist and a music historian from each country with a range of reflections and historical contexts.
Positive Aspects:
Includes great amounts of archival footage of significant protest moments from several decades ago that add historical context.
An opportunity to look at how music breaks boundaries of language and culture in an engaging manner.
Gives the audience a good view of social reflection and encourages them to think of a positive way in which music could be utilized.
Negative Aspects:
Possibly the audience who has little interest in the history of music or social issues might find the documentary a bit too niche.
Should not be intended to cover general issues of protest music since it tends to center on trends within western struggle.
