United States | 2018 | Melissa Haizlip

Before Oprah, before Arsenio, there was Ellis Haizlip, a hip, smart, political, gay Black man who produced and hosted the groundbreaking WNET/PBS program Soul! from 1968 to 1973. Conceived as a Black “Tonight Show,” this Emmy-winning entertainment/variety/talk show brought a staggering number of iconic African American artists and thinkers (Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Jesse Jackson, Toni Morrison, Sidney Poitier, Stevie Wonder, et al.) into America’s living rooms, guaranteeing that the revolution would be televised. Mr. Soul!, an award-winning, clip- and recollection-filled new documentary by Haizlip’s niece, traces the history of this seminal series from its innovative beginnings to its demise over lack of funding. “A rich and illuminating piece of cultural history.” –Hollywood Reporter. Cleveland premiere. 99 min.

Mr. SOUL!, a Cinematheque streaming exclusive, can be viewed online from 8/28 thru at least 10/15 via the link below. (Doing so supports the Cinematheque.) Screening fee is $12, and after opening the film, you have 48 hours to watch it.  

https://watch.eventive.org/mrsoul/play/5f31a9988219440053c30eca