The Apollo

"The Apollo" is a 2019 American documentary film that offers an indepth exploration of the unique history and contemporary legacy of the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York City. Directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Roger Ross Williams, the film delves into the theater's significance now, its most notable moments, and how it has maintained itself as a space for progressive Black expression.

The movie was produced by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer Lisa Cortés, Nigel Sinclair, Dan Cogan, and Nicholas Ferrall. It features an incredible assembly of performers and affiliates of the theater. This includes Cholly Atkins, Florence Ballard, and an embodiment of Angela Bassett's narration emanating throughout the film.

The documentary weaves together archival footage, music, comedy, and dance performances, as well as behind-the-scenes content with the crew preparing for performances. All these elements create a rich texture that speaks to the Apollo Theater's role in shaping America's music culture and the cultural revolutions the performances on the stage influenced.

Cholly Atkins, the charismatic choreographer best known for his work at the Motown Label, and Florence Ballard, founding member of the Supremes, are both spotlighted in "The Apollo". Their stories help to illuminate the theater's role in launching and nurturing the careers of so many legendary artists, like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, and James Brown, to name just a few. With contemporary interviews, performance footage, and historical documentary, these artists and others relate how the Apollo helped them to find their artistic voices in an era of profound social change.

Angela Bassett, a celebrated actress and known for her biographical film roles, serves as a narrator, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the film. Her gripping and inspiring words enhance the passion and depth of the stories depicted. Her voiceover takes audiences on a vivid journey, painting a profound symbol of strength, resilience, and ambition.

"The Apollo" is undoubtedly a celebration of art and the considerable talent that has graced the Apollo stage. More than just the history of a physical venue, it is a story of Black American resilience, the rise and power of a culture, and the exploration of race, politics, and the changing tides of the music industry.

But not only does the film capture the theater's progress from its opening in 1934 to the present day; it also narrates the significant influence of the Apollo on pop culture, on the evolution of different music forms like jazz, rhythm & blues, gospel, soul, and hip hop, and on the nation's broader political and social narratives.

One of the most focused narratives in "The Apollo" documentary is that of the production of Ta-Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me" on the Apollo stage. It cleverly intertwines this modern piece about black existence, struggle, and survival in America with the historical and political discourses rooted in the theater's long-standing tradition of fostering African American artistry.

"The Apollo" starts at the beginning, bringing to life its early years and illustrious history, and follows through to its enduring influence and historical significance today. It effectively shows how individual artists used the platform provided by the Apollo to address the pressing political and social issues of their time, and how this tradition has maintained the Apollo as a living and breathing entity that continues to evolve alongside the community it serves.

As a film, "The Apollo" provides an engaging combination of personal narrative, cultural commentary, and dazzling performance footage. It offers a dynamic earthy experience to the audiences that underlines the integral role that this iconic institution has played in America's music and cultural history. It captures the grit and virtue of human struggle, creativity, and achievement that the Apollo Theater represents.

Beyond a grand entertainment venue, "The Apollo" tells the story of a cornerstone in the black community and an iconic symbol of endurance and pride. It excellently fuses past and present, history and culture, art and social justice, and encapsulates the space that has helped shape and define American and African American cultural identity.