Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. Explained

Genre:Documentary
Director:Jamila Wignot
Country:United States
Num Episodes:4
Cinematography:Bryan Gentry
Language:English
Runtime:50–62 minutes
Network:HBO

Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. is an American documentary series directed and produced by Jamila Wignot. It corrects the history of Stax Records.[1]

The documentary had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 10, 2024, where it won the TV Premiere Audience Award.[2] [3] [4] It premiered on May 20, 2024, on HBO.[5]

Premise

The series follows Stax Records, a record label that ushered in artists, Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & the M.G.'s, The Staple Singers and Sam & Dave; The label went from being an outsider to one of the most influential producers of music, with an impact even after the label has gone.[5] [6]

Production

In May 2022, it was announced Jamila Wignot would direct and produce a documentary series revolving around Stax Records for HBO Documentary Films, with Ezra Edelman set to executive produce.[7] Rob Bowman served as a consultant on the series.[8]

Reception

Critical reception

[9] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 81 out of 100, based on 5 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[10]

Nina Metz of Chicago Tribune gave the series three out of four stars, writing: "A story of musical genius but also racism, personal tragedies and corporate greed."[11] John Anderson of Wall Street Journal also praised the series writing: "Stax may have been of a particular place and time, but Ms. Wignot resurrects it all gloriously, and grittily, and with the personality and precision of the M.G.s rhythm section."[12]

Accolades

76th Primetime Emmy Awards - Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction Program (nomination)[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: A Great New Documentary Corrects the Record About One of Music’s Most Important Chapters. 2024-06-11. Hamilton. Jack. 2024-05-20. Slate.
  2. Web site: Dev Patel's Monkey Man Headlines 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival and More Exciting Lineup Additions. South by Southwest. April 27, 2024.
  3. Web site: Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.. South by Southwest. April 27, 2024.
  4. Web site: ‘Bob Trevino Likes It,’ Dev Patel’s ‘Monkey Man,’ A24’s ‘Sing Sing’ & Dramedy ‘My Dead Friend Zoe’ Among SXSW Audience Award Winners. Deadline Hollywood. Matt. Grobar. March 18, 2024. April 27, 2024.
  5. Web site: What’s New On Max This May. Warner Bros. Discovery. April 24, 2024. April 27, 2024.
  6. News: Farber . Jim . ‘It became a beacon of hope’: the incredible story of Stax Records . 11 June 2024 . The Guardian . 20 May 2024.
  7. Web site: Stax Records Docuseries Set At HBO From Jamila Wignot & Ezra Edelman. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. May 3, 2022. April 27, 2024.
  8. Web site: HBO Documentary Films in production on Stax, a multi-part documentary series revealing the extraordinary story of Stax Records. Stax Records. April 27, 2024.
  9. stax_soulsville_usa. Stax: Soulsville USA. tv. 1. June 10, 2024. y.
  10. stax-soulsville-usa. Stax: Soulsville USA. tv. 1. May 23, 2024. y.
  11. Web site: Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.’ review: The rise and fall of the record label that gave us Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes. Chicago Tribune. Nina. Metz. May 16, 2024. May 23, 2024.
  12. Web site: ‘STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.’ Review: Story of the Memphis Sound. Wall Street Journal. John. Anderson. May 16, 2024. May 23, 2024.
  13. Web site: Nominees/Winners | Television Academy . . July 21, 2024.

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