After sitting in a vault for 46 years, Aretha Franklin’s documentary Amazing Grace will finally see the light, according to Variety.
The shelved project captures Franklin’s 1972 gospel concert at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. It was originally scheduled to be released along with Franklin’s album of the same title but there were technical issues, along with legal battles, that prevented its release.
The film will premiere at the DOC NYC festival on November 12, followed by Oscar-qualifying runs in Los Angeles and New York City. Franklin’s estate and film producer Alan Elliott reached an agreement to finally share the highly-anticipated clip.
“In recent weeks, Alan presented the film to the family at the African American Museum here, and we absolutely love it,” said Sabrina Owens, niece and executor of Estate for the late Queen of Soul.
“We can see Alan’s passion for the movie, and we are just as passionate about it. It’s in a very pure environment, very moving and inspirational, and it’s an opportunity for those individuals who had not experienced her in a gospel context to see how diverse her music is. We are so excited to be a part of this.”
This film showcases the high-caliber diva in her prime and features a much younger and shy version of the proud woman she became. According to Elliott, “This is a feel-good movie that could be very uplifting in a time of turmoil in our country.”
The Queen of Soul died in August from pancreatic cancer. She was 76.
