Written by Adam MastI’m currently freezing my butt off in the name of glorious cinematic art. This is my 21st year attending Sundance. Expect plenty of coverage here at the Independent in the next few days. Here’s a look at the opening night film.
WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE?
Sundance 2015 started of on a positive note with the fascinating Nina Simone documentary, WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE? Fans of this legendary jazz blues artist, and who isn’t, will find this movie of particular interest.
The first half of WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE? is fairly straight forward delving into Simone ‘s childhood years as a brilliant classical pianist and moving into her adult years as a dynamic blues singer.
While this is a tribute to an American icon, it is also a “warts and all” look at success. Scenes featuring Simone’s daughter reminiscing about her own turbulent childhood with a touring mother are harrowing.
This intimate doc also touches on Simone’s volatile relationship with her first husband, her years as a spokeswoman for civil rights, and her tragic bout with manic depression.
WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE? is loaded with rare interviews and live concert footage and really captures the essence of this vibrant singer.
The final third of the film is a bit of a downer, but appropriately so. A moment in which Simone demands that a departing fan sit down before she’ll commence with a live performance is intense, and the pain Miss Simone exudes in the song that follows, is haunting and powerful.
What I really admired about this film is that it isn’t 2 hours of popular musicians talking about their love for this woman. It’s actually about her.
Of course, as an added bonus, many of those Simone influenced, including John Legend, Common, and Erykah Badu were on hand at the fest to perform in her honor.
For Nina Simone fans, WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE? is a must. A candid look at a master of her craft and an even deeper look at the loneliness that can sometimes come with success.
More from Sundance 2015 soon!
