Things that make me happy this week... Sing Your Song, an HBO documentary featuring the life and times of Harry Belafonte.
I first saw Sing Your Song at the TriBeCa Film festival and was fascinated to learn more about the living legend known as Harry Belafonte. This documentary tells the story of his life which began as a young singer, next transitioned into acting on stage and screen, then transcended into activist for poor and oppressed people around the world.
My first memories of Harry Belafonte was on the Muppet Show in the late 1970s. I remember my father telling me that this man was born in NY and had some family from Jamaica. I was certainly too young to know about all of the film, theater, TV work he did in the past. And boy was I surprised to find out that he was an even bigger singer and recording artist. His 1956 Calypso album was at the time the first LP (long play for those youngins out there) album to sell over 1 million copies. On this album he made famous "The Banana Boat Song" with the iconic "Day-O" chant similar to an old folk chant from the Caribbean. Belafonte broke many barriers in his years as an entertainer including guest hosting The Tonight Show many times, winning an Tony, an Emmy, a Grammy lifetime achievement award, along with many other honors in his prolific career.
Harry made an equal contribution to the world with his work as an activist and humanitarian. His work in raising awareness of the injustice in South Africa during Apartheid, and his work during the US Civil right movement are just a few highlights of his work to help the oppressed and disenfranchised. Today he continues to work in the street with youth to get them more politically active and to end gang violence.
Sing your Song is a personal telling of his story that gives the audience a glimpse of history through the lens of his eyes. You might also get appreciation of what one man with a platform can do when willing to rise to the challenge. Makes you wonder where are those black leaders in entertainment today? God knows we have way more with his type of popularity today. Makes you go hmmmmm...
Best part of the film
-The history lesson from his perspective
-Honest discussion about his personal life... even his failings
-Good stories about his work in Civil Rights movement
-A few lesson for the next generations..
Cons
-Not a big focus on his career as an entertainer and the struggles of being a black entertainer although it does get a decent mention
Who is your top 5 triple threat entertainers of all time? Harry would have to be one of mine. He has the stats and accomplishments that are hard to beat.
S.F Guru
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