1982 Gospel doc Say Amen, Somebody 4K restoration

One of our favorite films that we discovered on the old Siskel and Ebert TV show, is the 1982 documentary about a gospel music convention called Say Amen, Somebody has been restored in 4k and is currently on an art house tour of theaters.



Say Amen, Somebody

We were lucky enough to buy this on DVD back in the day, because it went out of print shortly after, and the only way to purchase it now is a $249 Blu-ray intended for theatrical distribution.



Neither of us are religious, but this is still one of the best music documentaries ever. It centers on Mother Willie Mae Ford Smith and Professor Thomas A Dorsey, considered by most to be the father of gospel music, although long before that he was a piano player for Ma Rainey and one of the house band at the Gennett studio in Indiana - and he been recording songs like Tight Like That.

Seriously this is one of the best music documentaries I've ever seen, on my list with Woodstock and Monterey Pop.

It will have two performances with the director at Chicago's Music Box theater on September 14th and 15th, and displaying other places around the country, having just started showing at the Lincoln Center in New York City

• Film at Lincoln Center // New York, NY // Sept. 6 – 26, 2019
• Amherst Cinema Arts Center // Amherst, MA // Sept. 11, 2019
• Northwest Film Center // Portland, OR // Sept. 13 – 15, 2019
• Northwest Film Forum // Seattle, WA // Sept. 13 – 19, 2019
• Vancity Theatre // Vancouver, BC // Sept. 13 – 19, 2019
• Galleria 6 Cinemas // St. Louis, MO // Sept. 13 – 19, 2019
• Danish Film Institute // Copenhagen, DENMARK // Sept. 13 – 22, 2019
• Music Box Theater // Chicago, IL // Sept. 14 – 15, 2019
• University of Wisconsin Cinematheque // Madison, WI // Sept. 14, 2019
• Ragtag Cinema // Columbia, MO // Sept. 14 – 19, 2019
• Grand Cinema // Tacoma, WA // Sept. 18, 2019*
• Laemmle Music Hall Theater // Beverly Hills, CA // Sept. 20-26, 2019
• Studio Movie Grill // Chicago, IL (South Side) // Sept. 20 – 26, 2019
• Reel Art Ways // Hartford, CT // Sept. 20 – 26, 2019
• Liberty Theatre // Camas, WA // Sept. 20 – 26, 2019
• Laemmle Town Center 5 // Encino, CA // September 23-24, 2019
• Laemmle Royal Theatre // W. Los Angeles, CA // September 23-24, 2019
• Laemmle Claremont 5 // Claremont, CA // September 23-24, 2019
• Laemmle Playhouse 7 // Pasadena, CA // September 23-24, 2019
• Guild Cinema // Albuquerque, NM // Sept. 24-25 and Oct 1-3, 2019
• CCA Cinematheque // Santa Fe, NM // Sept. 27 – October 3, 2019
• Digital Gym // San Diego, CA // Sept. 27 – October 3, 2019
• African American Museum // Philadelphia, PA // September 28, 2019
• Frida Cinema // Santa Ana, CA // September 28 – 30, 2019
• Pickford Film Center // Bellingham, WA // October 13 + 21
• Midtown Art Cinema // Atlanta, GA // October 25 – 31, 2019
• Rosendale Theatre, Rosendale, NY / December 18, 2019

 

Also being shown in the UK during next month's London Film Festival
Say Amen, Somebody | BFI London Film Festival 2019

 

That's very cool! I don't know if it played in the UK on its original run.

 

I hope the fact that this is about gospel doesn't keep people from seeing it. I'm agnostic, my wife is an atheist - and we both love this film!

 

Agreed, Chris. So much great gospel out there that even we heathens can enjoy and this movie's a gem. I caught it at the old Tivoli in Westport when it came out. The soundtrack (DRG records) great, too.

 

The film is playing today and tomorrow at the Music Box. Vickie is there, but I'm stuck in Kansas City. Sadly, there are only 50 people in the theater.

 

great to hear it's playing at Music Box...not so good only 50 people in attendance though.

 

The choir that was supposed to be there ghosted on them too. But the nephew of one of the Barrett Sisters was there, and Vickie told me he had a powerful voice.

 

Vickie just Tweeted her review:

451) Say Amen, Somebody (1982) @ Music Box. Thrilling to see again on the big screen! This film festival darling (played at Telluride, NY, Toronto, London, & Cannes) is restored & looks gorgeous. It's IMO one of the greatest music documentaries ever made, and I'm an atheist!​