Sounds of Summer 2019: Music Films, Old and New

July 2–Aug. 21, 2019

Our annual look at the best new films about musicians both familiar and new, as well as a fresh look at some old favorites. From ’60s and ’70s rock to gospel, from R&B to Arvo Pärt, and from bluegrass to our annual screening of the great Stop Making Sense, there’s definitely something here for everyone. And it all starts off with an unforgettably rich portrait of David Crosby.

Programmed by Brian Ackerman, Andrew Jupin, and Saidah Russell

Can’t get enough of that summer sound? Check out JBFC Mixtapes, Vol. 16: Sounds of Summer 2019 on the JBFC Blog!

Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. July 8, 2019 Winner of a Special Jury Award at Sundance, this documentary is part autobiographical travelogue, part tale of a country in…
Asbury Park: Riot, Redemption, Rock & Roll July 10, 2019 A once-storied Jersey Shore resort, in 1970 Asbury Park exploded into riots that left the town—and its jazz and blues…
Woodstock: 3 Days of Peace & Music (Director’s Cut) July 11, 2019 You know about Woodstock, the epic 1969 festival where 500,000 people gathered for an occasion that helped define their generation.…
Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love July 12–18, 2019 Veteran documentary director Nick Broomfield (Whitney: Can I Be Me?) is back with the rich story of the late musician…
Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church July 15, 2019 Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church presents the legendary guitarist in full flight at the 1970 Atlanta Pop Festival, in front of…
Satan & Adam July 16, 2019 Satan & Adam follows two musicians who met on the streets of Harlem in 1986. Adam Gussow, a white Jewish…
Between Me & My Mind July 19, 2019 Following the critically-acclaimed world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival, Between Me and My Mind offers an intimate look inside the…
Parallel Love: The Story of a Band Called Luxury July 22, 2019 Parallel Love asks a question you don’t hear very often: What happens to a rock-and-roll band when three-fifths of its…
Echo in the Canyon July 29, 2019 7/29: 7:15: Conversation with Dennis Elsas A celebration of the explosion of popular music that came out of LA’s Laurel Canyon in 1965–67, as folk went…
Bad Reputation July 30, 2019 Joan Jett is so much more than “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll.” It’s true, she became mega-famous from that number-one…
Norteña: Two Short Films by Les Blank July 31, 2019 Whatever his focus, filmmaker Les Blank delved deeply into his subject’s soul. In his intimate portraits of American musicians, he…
Grateful Dead Meet-Up 2019 Aug. 1, 2019 Come one, come all! Join Dead Heads in your neighborhood—and around the world—when Trafalgar Releasing and Rhino Entertainment celebrate the…
Fiddlin’ Aug. 7, 2019 “This film must be seen…. America needs to know where its music comes from.” (record producer Quincy Jones) Every summer,…
Say Amen, Somebody Aug. 8, 2019 “The music conquers doubt and unhappiness, and when it ends, you feel healed.” (David Denby, New York Magazine) One of…
David Crosby: Remember My Name Aug. 9, 2019 David Crosby has a lot to say. In this unflinchingly upfront portrait of the singer-songwriter who cofounded the Byrds and…
The Cure: Anniversary 1978-2018 Live in Hyde Park Aug. 9, 2019 “A pure celebration of classic singles and fan favourites.” (NME) On Saturday July 7, 2018, legendary band The Cure took…
That Pärt Feeling: The Universe of Arvo Pärt Aug. 12, 2019 Arvo Pärt is the most performed living composer in the world, but he doesn’t want to talk about his work—he…
Deconstructing The Beatles’ Abbey Road Side 1 Aug. 19, 2019 7:30: Q&A Scott Freiman The latest from our favorite Beatleologist Scott Freiman! Abbey Road is a masterpiece filled with such classic Beatles songs as…
Deconstructing The Beatles’ Abbey Road Side 2 Aug. 21, 2019 7:30: Q&A Scott Freiman The latest from our favorite Beatleologist Scott Freiman! Abbey Road is a masterpiece filled with such classic Beatles songs as…
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese July 13, 2021 Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese captures the troubled spirit of America and the joyous music…
Wattstax Aug. 10, 2021 “A candid, colorful and deeply meaningful sociocultural time capsule, one that captured the Black community at the height of its…
Stop Making Sense Sep. 29, 2023 4K Restoration Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, the 1984 film was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme…

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