Directed by Bert Stern
Featuring performances by Louis Armstrong, Thelonious Monk, Gerry Mulligan, Anita O’Day, Chuck Berry, Dinah Washington and Mahalia Jackson
Running time 1 hour and 25 minutes

by Ryan Smillie

A year after making history in 2018 as the first African American woman to headline Coachella, Beyoncé released Homecoming, a rightfully lauded concert documentary featuring not only meticulously edited footage of her two two-hour sets but also a behind-the-scenes look at her rehearsals, preparation and inspiration for the festival. Praised for its celebration of Black culture, in particular the HBCU experience and a multitude of global musical styles, Homecoming also drew on a rich history of concert documentaries, going all the way back to 1959’s Jazz on a Summer’s Day, newly restored and available via virtual cinemas this week, on Kino Marquee.