4. What Happened, Miss Simone?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=moOQXZxriKY Nina Simone is one of those musicians whose storied life makes a perfect fit for a narrative. The film portrays both her massive talent and her divisive political views. The film's introductory scene sets the stage for the energetic documentary with a 1976 performance that shows Simone's fiery stage performance in all of its glory. Although she berates audience members for not applauding, her set is typically incredible. The film is populated with racial alienation, a feeling which followed Simone for all of her life. As she channels her anger into her songwriting, her fans grow more divided than ever. Simone's important activism is not lambasted in the film as it may have been in an older documentary, but rather portrayed as virtuous. Her rebellious nature was important to her character, and being an outspoken black woman in the 1960s deserves to be treated with dignity. No more relevant a time for this film to come out than this year, in which black self-image is something that remains pushed down by the media and often lambasted. Nina Simone was an incredible talent proud of who she was with no apprehension.