feature: new documentary on nina simone’s complex life opens the sundance film festival

The Liz Garbus’ documentary ‘What Happened, Miss Simone?’ opened the Sundance Film Festival last week, a film that sheds new light on the complex life of Nina Simone. The iconic musician’s discography often overshadows her troubled life, and this new documentary seeks to explore and celebrate her complex life. The netflix project is gaining much praise for its no holds barred approach and many see the film as a welcome alternative to the upcoming biopic starring Zoe Saldana – a controversial casting which sparked off huge debates on Hollywood’s incessant racism. Nina Simone’s daughter Lisa Simone Kelly was executive producer of the film and the actress and singer recounts in full detail about the ups and downs of life with her famous mother, exploring happy moments such as the family parties of her childhood in in Mount Vernon, N.Y., with neighbors such as Betty Shabazz and writers Langston Hughes and Lorraine Hansberry. Can’t wait to see it! Read more on the film here.

By Alexander Aplerku, AFROPUNK Contributor