Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.
| Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. | |
|---|---|
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| Genre | Documentary |
| Directed by | Jamila Wignot |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 4 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Cinematography | Bryan Gentry |
| Running time | 50–62 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | May 20 – May 21, 2024 |
Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. is an American documentary series directed and produced by Jamila Wignot. It corrects the history of Stax Records.[1]
The documentary had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 10, 2024, where it won the TV Premiere Audience Award.[2][3][4] It premiered on May 20, 2024, on HBO.[5]
Premise
The series follows Stax Records, a record label that ushered in artists, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, The Staple Singers and Sam & Dave; The label went from being an outsider to one of the most influential producers of music, with an impact even after the label has gone.[5][6]
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Cause I Love You" | Jamila Wignot | May 20, 2024 |
| 2 | "Soul Man" | Jamila Wignot | May 20, 2024 |
| 3 | "Respect Yourself" | Jamila Wignot | May 21, 2024 |
| 4 | "Nothing Takes The Place of You" | Jamila Wignot | May 21, 2024 |
Production
In May 2022, it was announced Jamila Wignot would direct and produce a documentary series revolving around Stax Records for HBO Documentary Films, with Ezra Edelman set to executive produce.[7] Rob Bowman served as a consultant on the series.[8]
Reception
Critical reception
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.00/10.[9] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 81 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[10]
Nina Metz of Chicago Tribune gave the series three out of four stars, writing: "A story of musical genius but also racism, personal tragedies and corporate greed."[11] John Anderson of Wall Street Journal also praised the series writing: "Stax may have been of a particular place and time, but Ms. Wignot resurrects it all gloriously, and grittily, and with the personality and precision of the M.G.s rhythm section."[12]
References
- ^ Hamilton, Jack (May 20, 2024). "A Great New Documentary Corrects the Record About One of Music's Most Important Chapters". Slate. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ "Dev Patel's Monkey Man Headlines 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival and More Exciting Lineup Additions". South by Southwest. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ "Stax: Soulsville U.S.A." South by Southwest. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (March 18, 2024). "'Bob Trevino Likes It,' Dev Patel's 'Monkey Man,' A24's 'Sing Sing' & Dramedy 'My Dead Friend Zoe' Among SXSW Audience Award Winners". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ a b "What's New On Max This May". Warner Bros. Discovery. April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ Farber, Jim (May 20, 2024). "'It became a beacon of hope': the incredible story of Stax Records". The Guardian. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ White, Peter (May 3, 2022). "Stax Records Docuseries Set At HBO From Jamila Wignot & Ezra Edelman". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ "HBO Documentary Films in production on Stax, a multi-part documentary series revealing the extraordinary story of Stax Records". Stax Records. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
- ^ "Stax: Soulsville USA: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ "Stax: Soulsville USA: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Metz, Nina (May 16, 2024). "Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.' review: The rise and fall of the record label that gave us Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, John (May 16, 2024). "'STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.' Review: Story of the Memphis Sound". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
