Aretha Franklin Documentary Trailer Released

Michelle Ruoff -

A concert film, entitled Amazing Grace, that captures the sessions for Aretha Franklin's 1972 live album, Amazing Grace, is set to premiere at the 2018 DOC NYC film festival later this month. The trailer for the film features Franklin singing "Mary, Don't You Weep" as well as "How I Got Over."

See the trailer from Variety below.



While the film has no official release date yet, Director Sydney Pollack’s long-awaited concert film is set for 2 screenings at the 2018 DOC NYC film festival, Monday, Nov. 12 at 6:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. ET at the SVA Theatre in New York, NY.

Sabrina Owens, Franklin’s niece and the Personal Representative of the Aretha Franklin Estate, called Amazing Grace “the heart and soul of Aretha Franklin.” She continued, “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.”

The concert was originally filmed by Pollack during a church service in Watts on Jan. 13 and 14, 1972. The concert footage was intended to be part of the Amazing Grace double-LP release, but technical and legal issues held back the project. Producer Alan Elliott acquired rights to the project in 2007.

“I am thrilled to work with Sabrina Owens and the family to do right by Aretha’s legacy,” Elliott said in a statement. “Being able to share this film and the musical genius of Aretha Franklin with her family and the world is an honor. Aretha’s fans will be enthralled by every moment of the film as her genius, her devotion to God and her spirit are present in every frame.”


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Article image: Trade ad for Aretha Franklin's single "Baby I Love You" that appeared in Billboard Magazine in July 1967. (Atlantic Records [Available through Public Domain] via Wikimedia Commons.)