Music lovers will never tire of discovering more information about the lives of their favorite artists and their creations and periods of cultural effervescence. To deal with these topics, the selected ten documentaries available on Netflix. Check out the list below.
Music documentaries to watch on Netflix
The Circus Party (2013)
The documentary portrays the artistic effervescence of Brazil in the 1980s through images of the generation responsible for the so-called “dream plant,” a cultural space in Rio de Janeiro that was later called Circo Voador. Chronologically, the narrative traces events in iconic locations such as Arpoador and Lapa and culminates in the 1986 World Cup.
Duration: 1h37m.
What happened, Miss Simone? (No translation in Brazil; 2015)
The film chronicles the life of American singer Nina Simone, highlighting her transition to civil rights activist and her move to Liberia after a tumultuous period in the 1960s. The production shows the intimate story of the artist and features numerous archive and unpublished interviews until its release.
Duration: 1h42m.
Axé: Folk song from a place
The document explores the origins of Axé through interviews with famous figures of Brazilian music and archive images, retracing the birth of the original musical movement from Bahia and highlighting its syncretistic and cultural essence.
Duration: 1h54m.
Quincy (2018)
The production presents an intimate three-year journey into the life of legendary musician and producer Quincy Jones. The documentary highlights his artistic contributions and explores his musical legacy leading up to his performance at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. The film was directed by Quincy’s daughter, actress and screenwriter Rashida Jones, and director and producer Alan Hicks.
Duration: 2h4min.
The Cockroach of Iacanga (2019)
The legendary Águas Claras Festival, known as the “Woodstock of Brazil”, marked the country’s counterculture in the 70s and 80s. The documentary mixes interviews, concerts and behind-the-scenes footage, recalling the iconic event that took place in city of Iacanga, in São Paulo, and its influence on artistic freedom in Brazil.
Duration: 1h33m.
Miles Davis: the inventor of beauty (2019)
The documentary retraces some moments in the career of Miles Davis, Jazz icon and one of those responsible for popularizing the musical genre throughout the world. The production presents the highlights of his career, such as his collaboration with great musicians such as Charlie Parker and the revelation of talents such as John Coltrane and Herbie Hancock.
Duration: 1h55.
The Father of Black Music (2019)
Through a temporal structure divided between testimonies and archival images, the film presents the life and work of Clarence Avant, a pioneering musician and executive who began as a music manager for composer and pianist Lalo Schifrin and later founded record labels, promoted special events and supported democratic politicians.
Duration: 1h58m.
Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé (no translation in Brazil; 2019)
The documentary focuses on Beyoncé’s performance at the 2018 Coachella music festival. The work provides a detailed look behind the scenes, revealing the emotional journey of the artist’s creative concept and the cultural impact of the show.
Duration: 2h17m.
Racionais: From the streets of São Paulo to the world (2022)
The Racionais MC’s documentary covers three decades of the trajectory of the pioneering national rap group. “Racionais: Das rua de São Paulo pro Mundo” features never-before-seen images of the members and highlights their cultural impact in Brazil, revealing the quartet’s iconic journey to its rise.
Duration: 1h56m.
Wham! (2023)
The production showcases the meteoric rise of Wham!, a musical duo composed of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, to global pop stardom in just four years. Featuring personal archival footage of the two artists, the documentary reveals their journey to becoming music icons.
Duration: 1h32m.
*With information from IMDb Comes from I love cinema.
The 10 Music Documentaries to Watch on Netflix appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
