Watch ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke

ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke is a riveting and thought-provoking documentary film released in 2019. It is directed by Kelly Duane de la Vega and produced by Jeffrey Silver and Stuart Sender. The film explores the events surrounding the tragic death of American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke in 1964, highlighting the mysterious circumstances that surrounded his killing.

The documentary takes viewers on a journey through Cooke's life and career, starting with his early beginnings in gospel music to becoming one of the most influential and successful singers of his time. The film features interviews with some of the greatest names in the music industry, including Quincy Jones, Smokey Robinson, and Dionne Warwick, who offer personal recollections and insights into the life of the late singer.

The title of the film is derived from the fact that Cooke's death led to two separate investigations, each reaching different conclusions. The first investigation was carried out by the police, who concluded that Cooke was killed in a justified act of self-defense by the hotel manager, Bertha Franklin. However, many who knew Cooke and his style of living believed that his death was a result of a much deeper conspiracy, involving everything from the music industry to human trafficking.

The second investigation, conducted years later and fuelled by advocates of the conspiracy theory, paints a completely different picture. It suggests that Sam Cooke was, in fact, the victim of a larger plot aimed at silencing him, due to his rising popularity, political activism and the newfound power he wielded as a record label owner.

This biographical documentary will captivate and educate audiences alike, as it sheds light on the complicated and often paradoxical nature of Cooke's life. The film pays special attention to the issues of race and politics that were present during the civil rights movement, which Cooke was a vocal advocate of.

The film successfully leaves the audience feeling invested and wondering about the truth of the matter surrounding the death of this legend. It is worth noting that the narrative presented is a complex one that intertwines history, biography, music, politics, and race in a challenging and thought-provoking light. It manages to paint Cooke as both a driven and successful entrepreneur who was committed to social justice and an individual who was not devoid of faults or tragic events in his personal life.

In conclusion, ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke is an informative, fascinating, and poignant documentary that delves deep into Sam Cooke's life and the mystery surrounding his untimely death. By offering unique insights into the artist and the chaotic era of America in which he lived, this broad-ranging film is an excellent retelling of the troubled life of a legendary artist. More than just a simple documentary about Cooke, it goes further to capture the social milieu of an era and the existential angst and fractured social reality underlining it. The film leaves a mark on the viewer, long after its watch is complete, concerning the ugly reality behind the popular music industry and the challenging realities faced by many artists of that time.

ReMastered: The Two Killings of Sam Cooke is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 14 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.