The Baton Foundation, in partnership with the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, will host an in-person film screening that traces the behind-the-scenes recording of Aretha Franklin’s best-selling album. This program is free to the public, but registration is required.

About the Film

Recorded in January 1972 at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, California, Amazing Grace is the live recording of Ms. Franklin’s album of the same name. Using film footage shot by Sydney Pollack and produced by Alan Elliot and Spike Lee, the 2018 documentary features gospel great James Cleveland. Ms. Franklin is accompanied by the Southern California Community Choir under the direction of Alexander Hamilton. Aretha’s father, Reverend C. L. Franklin, also appears in the film.

Originally scheduled to be released in 1972 (along with the double album), technical difficulties synchronizing the audio with the visual print made it impossible. For four decades, the film footage languished in a Warner Bros. vault. When Ms. Franklin died in August 2018, her family arranged to have the film released. Since its worldwide debut, the film has received critical acclaim–reminding us why Aretha Franklin remains the undisputed Queen of Soul.

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NOTE: Limited parking is available directly behind the library.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Neon