{"id":85062,"date":"2018-11-05T16:09:13","date_gmt":"2018-11-05T16:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/0de2709a84.nxcli.net\/0-kjasnb\/2018\/11\/05\/long-awaited-aretha-franklin-doc-amazing-grace-to-premiere-at-2018-doc-nyc\/"},"modified":"2018-12-18T01:29:04","modified_gmt":"2018-12-18T01:29:04","slug":"long-awaited-aretha-franklin-doc-amazing-grace-to-premiere-at-2018-doc-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.blackfilm.com\/read\/long-awaited-aretha-franklin-doc-amazing-grace-to-premiere-at-2018-doc-nyc\/","title":{"rendered":"Long-Awaited Aretha Franklin Doc Amazing Grace To Premiere At 2018 DOC NYC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Long=Awaited Aretha Franklin Doc Amazing Grace To Premiere At 2018 DOC NYC<\/strong>Posted by Wilson Morales<\/p>\n

November 5, 2018<\/p>\n

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Amazing Grace<\/strong>, a long-awaited documentary featuring Aretha Franklin\u2019<\/strong>s signature performances at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, will make its world debut at the 2018 DOC NYC,<\/strong> America\u2019s largest documentary film festival, it was announced today. The film will be presented on Monday, November 12 at 6:45 pm<\/strong> and 9:00 pm at the SVA Theatre on 333 West 23rd St, NY, NY. Tickets are available at Docnyc.net.<\/p>\n

According to Variety<\/a>, the premiere will be followed by week-long Oscar-qualifying runs this month in Los Angeles and in December in New York.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The live performances, ranked among Ms. Franklin\u2019s finest, were originally recorded and filmed during a church service in Watts on January 13 and 14, 1972. Warner Bros. Pictures captured the footage for a companion documentary to the double live album \u201cAmazing Grace.\u201d \u201cAmazing Grace\u201d would go on to be the biggest selling album of Aretha Franklin\u2019s career, and the best-selling gospel album of all time. Mired in technical issues, the film was never released to the public.<\/p>\n

Producer Alan Elliott acquired the film rights in 2007 and worked with a team of producers, including Joe Boyd, Robert Johnson, Chiemi Karasawa, Sabrina Owens, Jerry Wexler, Tirrell D. Whittley and Joseph Woolf, to bring the feature-length documentary to light. The film was edited by Jeff Buchanan and its music was mixed by Jimmy Douglass. The documentary is a labor of love and a timely tribute to the music icon who passed away in August 2018. The film is now ready for release with the complete support and blessing from The Aretha Franklin Estate.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI am thrilled to work with Sabrina Owens and the family to do right by Aretha\u2019s legacy,\u201d<\/strong> said Mr. Elliott. \u201cBeing able to share this film and the musical genius of Aretha Franklin with her family and the world is an honor. Aretha\u2019s fans will be enthralled by every moment of the film as her genius, her devotion to God and her spirit are present in every frame.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Captivated by the heart and brilliance of the Queen of Soul, producer Tirrell D. Whittley stated, \u201cBringing this film to audiences is a great joy and privilege for me. Amazing Grace is a unique film that lifts the spirit and soul with the joy of gospel music. It\u2019s a pure experience, showcasing Aretha Franklin in her element doing what she does best and being The Queen.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cAmazing Grace is the heart and soul of Aretha Franklin,\u201d<\/strong> said Sabrina Owens, Franklin\u2019s niece and the Executor of the Aretha Franklin Estate. \u201cThis film is authentic and is my aunt at her core. She was a daughter of the church, she loved gospel music, and she always incorporated some form of sacred music in her concerts.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

After decades of waiting, fans of the Queen of Soul can view her iconic performance at the 2018 DOC NYC Film Festival. The film features Ms. Franklin\u2019s legendary gospel hits, performed in front of a distinguished audience that includes her father, the famed Reverend C.L. Franklin, Gospel legends Clara Ward and Mother Ward of the Ward Family Singers along with Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts of the Rolling Stones (who were in Los Angeles recording \u201cExile on Main Street\u201d).<\/p>\n

\u201cAmazing Grace has been a lost treasure of documentary filmmaking for over four decades. I can\u2019t think of a bigger honor for a festival than to premiere this film,\u201d<\/strong> said DOC NYC artistic director Thom Powers.<\/p>\n

For more information about Amazing Grace and for tickets to attend the world premiere at the SVA Theatre on 333 West 23rd St, NY, NY, please visit Docnyc.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n