POV Season 17 Episode 10 Wattstax

POV, or Point of View, is a series on PBS that showcases independent nonfiction films. In season 17 episode 10, viewers are treated to a documentary called Wattstax.

Wattstax takes its name from a music festival held in Los Angeles on August 20, 1972. The festival was organized by Stax Records, a famous soul music label based in Memphis, Tennessee. The idea behind the festival was to commemorate the seventh anniversary of the Watts riots, a series of violent protests that broke out in the predominantly African American neighborhood of Watts in August 1965. The riots were sparked by police brutality and longstanding racial tensions.

Wattstax the documentary captures the essence of the festival that brought together some of the biggest names in soul and funk music. Artists such as Isaac Hayes, Rufus and Carla Thomas, The Staples Singers, and The Bar-Kays took to the stage to perform for a crowd of up to 112,000 people. The documentary features footage from the festival, and it is interspersed with interviews with performers and attendees.

The film gives viewers a sense of what it was like to be at the festival - the heat, the noise, the energy. It also offers a glimpse into the cultural and political context of the time. The festival was held during a fraught moment in American history, marked by the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the Vietnam War.

One of the standout moments of the documentary is the performance by Richard Pryor, who was still a relatively unknown comedian at the time. Pryor's set is incisive and hilarious, and it offers a sharp critique of American society. He jokes about everything from police brutality to the hypocrisy of organized religion.

Another striking aspect of Wattstax is the sense of community that the festival created. In addition to the music, the festival featured speeches, poetry readings, and a fashion show. There was a sense that this was more than just a concert - it was a gathering of like-minded people who were united by a desire for change.

Wattstax the documentary serves as a time capsule of sorts, capturing a moment in American history when the struggle for civil rights was still very much underway. It also showcases some of the most iconic figures in soul and funk music, reminding viewers of the enduring power of these genres.

Overall, Wattstax is a fascinating and entertaining documentary that offers a glimpse into a pivotal moment in American cultural history. It is a must-watch for fans of soul and funk music, as well as anyone interested in the social and political movements of the 1960s and 1970s.