"Wattstax" - review

A vibrant, powerful and heartbreaking cultural experience

The Watts riots in Los Angeles, which raged for an entire week in August 1965, were one of many urban uprisings brought about by the systematic suppression of the African American population in the United States.  Political, social and private power has long been exerted to subjugate and separate black communities, confining them to certain neighborhoods where they were further isolated and their prospects for improvement drastically reduced.  Through a varied and vile array of closed door conspiracies, black people nationwide were continually beset by minimal job opportunities and Draconian punishments while any avenues of assistance which might prove beneficial were firmly barricaded.

For a group of people who had been so cruelly and continually marginalized for so many generations, the riots were the last and least desired option.  Yet out of the fiery ashes of that destruction, a brilliant light and sound coalesced to show the entire world that while the anger, frustration and suffering was very real, there was also something else: strength, unity and music.  Stax records, an iconic black-owned record company famous for its superlative stable of soul, gospel, funk and blues artists, organized a benefit concert seven years after to commemorate the Watts riots, and the event was a beautiful and potent expression of black culture, identity and style!

Power to the People!

The Bar-Kays, resplendent!

Mavis Staples

"Wattstax", directed by Mel Stuart and nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Documentary Film in 1974, is part joyous celebration and part incisive social commentary.  The movie is a rightfully aggressive and contentious examination of the joy and pain of black people's lives in America and most of the world.  So many voices unheard, complaints long ignored and deep wounds to bodies and minds left to ache and torment the souls of so many human beings imprisoned within their own cities.  "Wattstax" brought all of this to the stage, and the cavalcade of talent was a wonder to behold.  More importantly, their musical message was ecstasy to hear.

The Rance Allen Group

Carla Thomas

Rufus Thomas

Isaac Hayes

I was not familiar with most of the artists who performed, but their presence and power was electric.  The music hit me in monumental waves.  Emotion after emotion, each one coiled with the kind of implacable tidal power that is irresistible and everlasting.  The exultant release, the euphoria of shared experience and the certainty of a collective desire for better days was transcendent. I wanted to dance to every song and add my ardent voice in tandem with and in fervent support of the assembled multitude.  My soul was captivated and my booty was shakin'!

Then the music finally ended and the credits rolled.  The modern world came slowly filtering back in and I was once again regretfully reminded that things have improved little in the decades since.  Our country feels more polarized than ever, and it seems a fool's errand to hope for a lessening of the fear and hatred which has driven so many to desperation.  Yet, there have been some positive changes and "Wattstax" shows what beatific things can happen when we come together to heal instead of hate.

The only thing standing in the way is us.

Can I get an "Amen?!"