Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.

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

Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.
GenreDocumentary
Directed byJamila Wignot
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes4
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Jamila Wignot
  • Kara Elverson
CinematographyBryan Gentry
Running time50–62 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkHBO
ReleaseMay 20 (2024-05-20) –
May 21, 2024 (2024-05-21)

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]

Episodes
No.TitleDirected byOriginal air date
1"Cause I Love You"Jamila WignotMay 20, 2024 (2024-05-20)
2"Soul Man"Jamila WignotMay 20, 2024 (2024-05-20)
3"Respect Yourself"Jamila WignotMay 21, 2024 (2024-05-21)
4"Nothing Takes The Place of You"Jamila WignotMay 21, 2024 (2024-05-21)

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

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 10 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.00/10.[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]

References
  1. Hamilton, Jack (May 20, 2024). "A Great New Documentary Corrects the Record About One of Music's Most Important Chapters". Slate. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  2. "Dev Patel's Monkey Man Headlines 2024 SXSW Film & TV Festival and More Exciting Lineup Additions". South by Southwest. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  3. "Stax: Soulsville U.S.A." South by Southwest. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  4. Grobar, Matt (March 18, 2024). "'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. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  5. "What's New On Max This May". Warner Bros. Discovery. April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  6. Farber, Jim (May 20, 2024). "'It became a beacon of hope': the incredible story of Stax Records". The Guardian. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  7. White, Peter (May 3, 2022). "Stax Records Docuseries Set At HBO From Jamila Wignot & Ezra Edelman". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  8. "HBO Documentary Films in production on Stax, a multi-part documentary series revealing the extraordinary story of Stax Records". Stax Records. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
  9. "Stax: Soulsville USA: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
  10. "Stax: Soulsville USA: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  11. Metz, Nina (May 16, 2024). "Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.' review: The rise and fall of the record label that gave us Otis Redding and Isaac Hayes". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  12. Anderson, John (May 16, 2024). "'STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.' Review: Story of the Memphis Sound". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
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