Cine is hosting a series of special screenings of Amazing Grace, featuring Aretha Franklin, starting Friday evening at 5:30 and 8:15.
The film captures a live performance of Aretha Franklin singing gospel songs at the New Tremont Missionary Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles in 1972. The film takes a look at the gospel roots of the ‘Queen of Soul.’
Ed Pavlic is a Professor of English and African-American Studies and a Board member of Cine, he says this is a glimpse of Franklin singing at the peak of her power.
“We are so thrilled to be featuring this historic and recovered film of Aretha Franklin making her most famous and most widely-selling album of her incredible career, Amazing Grace, an album that many of us know in history,” according to Pavlic.
The film remained unseen and unfinished for 46 years.
Supporting events include DJ Mahogany spinning gospel and dance tunes Saturday from 5:30 to 9, a livestream broadcast of Reverend William Barber Sunday at 6 pm and a panel discussion following a film screening Monday evening at 7:45.
