The Film Society of Minneapolis St. Paul, in partnership with the Capri Theater and the Minnesota Historical Society, presents Amazing Grace, at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 5 at North Community High School, door 18, 1500 James Avenue N. North High serves as the alternate location for this film series while the Capri Theater is closed for expansion and renovation. Tickets to First Thursday Filmsare $5; purchase in advance at mspfilm.org or at the door the night of the show.
Crafted from never before seen footage captured in 1972 at The New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles, Amazing Grace features the undisputed “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin recording the most successful gospel album of all time. Forty-seven years after its original documentation, this film is a testimony to the greatness of Aretha Franklin and a time-machine window into a moment in American musical and social history. “You don’t need to be a churchgoer to find Amazing Grace a soul-stirring, foot-stomping, hand-raising experience,” writes Jon Bream of the Star Tribune.
Each First Thursday Films screening is followed by a passionate discussion of the movie. This month, singer, speaker, reporter and radio talk show host Jearlyn Steele will lead the discussion after the film. As a member of the internationally acclaimed family, The Steeles, Jearlyn has performed from Carnegie Hall, to Brazil, to the Super Bowl Live Verizon stage in 2018. For 10 years she has been an entertainment reporter for Twin Cities Public Television’s Almanac; inspired audiences as a keynote speaker, facilitator and emcee; and maintained her Sunday night radio show Steele Talkin’. Musically, Jearlyn has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Prince, Mavis Staples, and many more. She was a frequent special guest on the national radio broadcast A Prairie Home Companion and lent her talents to the feature film of the same name. In 2016, an Honorary Doctorate degree was conferred upon her by the University of Indianapolis.
The First Thursdaysseriescontinues with the Minnesota-made documentary Love Them First: Lessons from Lucy Laney Elementary on January 2, and the Harriet Tubman biopic Harriet on February 6.
Topical and relevant in these turbulent times, First Thursday Films aims to create a space for dialogue and better understanding. Come for the movies. Stay for the conversation. Info: thecapritheater.org, mspfilm.org.