Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (2021)

American musician, record producer, and filmmaker Questlove revealed to many a remarkable part of black history that had been previously glossed over with his documentary Summer of Soul. The concert film weaves together beautiful footage from the free Harlem Music Festival that took place over six weeks in 1961 with interviews from the people who attended and performed, who look back fondly over 50 years later.

It features soul-healing performances for Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, The 5th Dimension, The Staple Singers, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mavis Staples, Sly and the Family Stone, and The Chambers Brothers. Summer of Soul is a touching celebration of the amazing fashion, music, and culture in Harlem as well as an important political film that touches on race, class, and legacy.

Where to watch: Disney +

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. (2018)

Fans, haters, and curious views are given an insight into the multi-faceted controversial but undeniably talented singer M.I.A. in this documentary that spans over 22 years of the rapper’s life. Documenting her rise to fame, her own perspective on her controversies, public appearances, her political activism, and her identity as an East Asian woman, the viewer gains a better grasp of who Maya Arulpragasam is through the course of the film. The eccentric star is mesmerising in this critically acclaimed documentary that won World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award at Sundance 2018.

Where to watch: Apple TV

Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)

Madonna: Truth or Dare is an important chapter in pop culture with many other documentaries, parodies, and reality TV shows taking notes from the film. It’s still one of the highest-grossing documentaries ever made. The film provides a deep look at Madonna’s relationships with her crew, then-boyfriend Warren Beatty, family, and friends whilst on her Blonde Ambition tour. Edited in a moody black-and-white whilst the performances are left in radiant colour, it’s a visually stunning film as well as an illuminating one. All hail the queen of pop.  

Where to watch: you’ll have to buy a DVD of the one

Homecoming (2019)

Beyoncé’s self-directed, written, and produced concert film on the performance held in 2018 at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is the music documentary to end all music docs. Receiving widespread critical acclaim, with some even saying it’s one of the greatest concert films of all time, it won Best Music Film at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards and Best Music Documentary at the IDA Documentary Awards 2019. Beyoncé grants the audience an inside look at how she takes a concept, revises, rehearses, and creates a cultural moment that will be remembered throughout history. If you need some inspiration in your life watch now.

Where to watch: Netflix

Amy (2015)

Sparking heavy criticism from Amy Winehouse’s father, Mitch Winehouse, Amy pulls archival footage and personal testimonials to piece together a heart-wrenching but tender story of a talented beauty who departed too soon. Critically acclaimed yet controversial, everyone will have a different take on Amy which gives a portrait of the life and career of the British singer as she struggles with addiction, fame, the media, and her family. RIP Amy.

Where to watch: Apple TV

Dave Chappelle’s Block Party(2005)

A wild unpredictable shambolic funfest from start to finish Dave Chappelle’s Block Party follows comedian Chappelle during the summer of 2004 as he throws a block party in the Clinton Hill neighbourhood of Brooklyn. The free rap show in Brooklyn featured Kanye West, Mos Def, Erykah Badu, The Roots, and briefly reunited The Fugees. If you like amazing rap performances, hip hop, and a lot of guerrilla marketing through megaphones it’s the one for you.

Where to watch: again, it might have to be a DVD

Gaga: Five Foot Two (2017)

We see a softer side to the formidable pop icon Gaga in Gaga: Five Foot Two. The documentary follows Gaga in 2016 through the lead-up to Joanna and her Superbowl performance. From interactions with her fans, her struggles with chronic pain, intel into her feud with Madonna, the filming of American Horror Story: Roanoke, and her home life, there’s nothing that’s off the table in this unguarded revealing documentary.

Where to watch: Netflix

Miss Americana(2020)

Megastar Taylor Swift comes off as personable, smart, and down-to-earth in this emotional revealing documentary filmed over several years of the singer’s life. Starting from her Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018 it follows her journey up to her seventh studio album Lover in 2019. Tackling sensitive subjects with strength and grace such as her battle with body dysmorphia, her mother’s cancer diagnosis, the toxic internet culture, her sexual assault trial, self-esteem issues, and her decision to go public with her political views, Swift shows why she is an incredible role model for all young women.

Where to watch: Netflix

Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022)

A must-see for every Selenators or anyone who grew up watching the star on Wizards of Waverley Place. The documentary follows Selena Gomez through a six-year period of her career and reveals her struggles with fame and physical and mental well-being in the wake of her diagnosis with lupus and bipolar disorder. Praised for its mental health transparency the film is a raw and vulnerable look into the mind and life of Gomez. Emotional but ultimately uplifting – pass the tissues.

Where to watch: Apple TV

The Upcoming Rihanna Documentary(2023 – hopefully!)

With over 1,000 hours of footage filmed over six and a half years, it’s no surprise that the editing of this documentary has taken so long and is still a work in progress. With the footage providing an up-close look at the rise of Rihanna’s billion-dollar empire Fenty, the singer at work in the studio, her relationship with Rocky, and RiRi’s experiences of new motherhood, we cannot wait to see it. It’s recently been sold to Amazon so hopefully we’ll be to watch soon.

Where to watch: probably Amazon Prime

Words By: Molly Sutherland

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