'The Apollo' tells the story of black art, so the history of America

Tribeca Film Festival 2019 is open with the creation of the HBO documentary, L & # 39; Apollo April 24. The documentary tells what the Apollo gave to a community and then to the world of the jazz age to the present day.

The film begins perfectly the story

The documentary begins with Joe Morton on stage performing at Between the world and me. The adaptation of Ta-Nehisi Coates' book on police brutality and racism in the United States could be a shocking start to a documentary about an iconic place that could bring words such as "music" and "comedy" to the forefront. mind of some. However, the reason why the aperture is perfect becomes obvious throughout the movie.

Soon, the film plunges into the beginnings of the Apollo, while only whites can travel to places like the Cotton Club for entertainment. This theater was different from the fact that blacks not only had the opportunity to show the world if they had talent on stage, but they also had a say as to whether this talent was good for the public.

Patti LaBelle, Pharrell Williams, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin and others were interviewed about their stint at The Apollo and what the room represents for them. However, the documentary is even more endearing to other people that the world might ignore.

Unexpectedly, you will be moved by people who love the Apollo

There is "Mr. Apollo" or Billy Mitchell who is the historian of the theater, he takes several people on tour in the theater and you can see the thrill that amazes the faces of children when he indicates where Beyoncé and Barack Obama signed on the wall of The Apollo There is a woman named Eva Isaac who was often in the front row at the theater and who had no problem showing her love for the performers by rubbing against them.

Although the film contains some happy clips, the film does not hide the sad elements of black American history. One of the first performances is that of Billie Holiday performing "Strange Fruit" on the iconic scene. We are told that the protest song was not supported by the music industry for fear of offending White Southerners. The assassination of Malcolm X and the way the Apollo was protected by the community during the Harlem riot in 1964 are also included.

You will feel the weight and thank for it

It becomes obvious that the Apollo is a place where black artists felt free to express themselves in a way when they could not pass the door of the house or enter many businesses. It is clear that theater is always a safe place to present works of art that speak of racial injustice in our country.

Director Roger Ross Williams could have easily relied on amazing clips of iconic musical, comic or dance performances. However, he told a much deeper story and wove them in amazing ways with those behind the theater.

The documentary did a tremendous job trying to summarize what is an emblematic place of the Apollo and what it has offered. This story is the story of black art, which is truly a reflection of America in all its complexity. You will feel the weight of all this and be grateful.

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