Aretha Franklin’s Concert Documentary ‘Amazing Grace’ Is Set To Premiere At DOC NYC After Nearly 50 Years
After 46 years, the long-awaited concert documentary Amazing Grace, which features Aretha Franklin’s performances at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, will make its debut at DOC NYC on November 12th.
The performances, which were recorded between January 13th and 14th of 1972, are considered to be the best of Aretha Franklin, with Amazing Grace becoming the artist’s most popular album and the best-selling gospel album of all time. Despite its popularity, the accompanying documentary was never released because of technical issues. However, producer Alan Elliot acquired the film rights back in 2007, and according to the press release, the film has “the complete support and blessing from The Aretha Franklin Estate.”
Franklin’s niece Sabrina Owens said in a statement about the documentary, “Amazing Grace is the heart and soul of Aretha Franklin. This film is authentic and is my aunt at her core. She was a daughter of the church, she loved gospel music, and she always incorporated some form of sacred music in her concerts.”
Thom Powers, the artistic director of DOC NYC, is thrilled for Amazing Grace’s premiere at the festival. “Amazing Grace has been a lost treasure of documentary filmmaking for over four decades. I can’t think of a bigger honor for a festival than to premiere this film.”
Amazing Grace will screen at DOC NYC on Monday, November 12th at the SVA Theatre. For ticket information, please visit docnyc.net. Watch the trailer below:
