Soul Power at LA Film Fest '09 Presented by LA Times.

About: Soul Power. Don King promoted the 1974 Muhammad Ali-George Foreman title bout in Zaire, a.k.a. the “Rumble in the Jungle,” as an event uniting African-Americans with their newly decolonized brothers and sisters in Africa. A festival featuring the brightest stars of African and African-American music was organized to take place in Zaire's capital Kinshasa for three days before the fight, but a sparring injury forced Foreman to postpone for six weeks. The delay had the unfortunate effect of eclipsing this historical musical event, which has finally been brought to the screen in glorious funktastic form by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, who had previously worked on the editing for the Ali-Foreman documentary “When We Were Kings.” In addition to the parade of near-perfect, sweat-drenched performances by such luminaries as James Brown, B.B King, Bill Withers, The Fania All-Stars with Celia Cruz, Miriam Makeba, and Sister Sledge, the film provides a revelation of sorts in rare concert footage of the Congolese Afro-Pop of Franco and O.K. Jazz and Tabu Ley Rochereau, two local acts whose groovy psychedelia formed a template for many alternative bands. About the Los Angeles Film Festival: Now in its fifteenth year, the Los Angeles Film Festival is widely recognized as a world-class event, showcasing the best in new American and international cinema and providing the movie-loving public with access to some of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers, film industry professionals, and emerging talent from around the world. Drawing on an expected attendance of 85,000, the Festival provides films with the opportunity to be embraced by the public and discovered by the industry. More than 70 feature films – narrative and documentary - are featured in the Festival, alongside gala premieres, panels and seminars, short film programs, music video showcases, free outdoor screenings, live musical performances, and unique signature events.