What is funk? This question proves far more complex than it seems. “All we need is a drummer,” once said Sly Stone. Is it music where rhythm alone matters most? The film goes further. Funk became the soundtrack of the late 1960s, as African Americans increasingly and boldly expressed their identity. In this energetic film, we witness brilliant performances by artists such as James Brown, Sly & the Family Stone, Parliament Funkadelic, Labelle, Fela Kuti, and later innovators. Interwoven are interviews with contemporary musicians and funk ambassadors, including Questlove, Prince Paul, and David Byrne, who explore the extensive constellation of funk – from postwar politics, sociology, and science to the roots of legendary rhythms. The film also examines funk from the perspectives of religion, geography, and music theory.
- duration:
- 85 min
- country / year of production:
- Spain, UK, USA, Curaçao / 2025
- director:
- Stanley Nelson, Nicole London
- cinematography:
- Antonio Rossi
- production:
- Nicole London / Firelight Films
- selected festivals and awards:
- 2025 – DOC NYC, New York, 2025 – Melbourne International Jazz Festival, 2025 – Full Frame Documentary FF
- tags:
