MACON –– The Macon Film Festival will conclude with a screening of “STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.,” a documentary celebrating the influential Stax Records and its artists, including Macon-born soul legend Otis Redding. The screening will take place at The Douglass Theatre on August 18 at 7:45 p.m., featuring the first two episodes of the series. Director and producer Jamila Wignot will be in attendance.
The documentary chronicles the rise of Stax Records in Memphis, Tennessee, from its inception as a family-owned record store and studio to becoming a powerhouse in soul music. Stax launched the careers of artists like Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Booker T. & The M.G.’s. The film highlights the collaboration between white and Black artists during the racially charged decades of the 1950s through the 1970s, producing hits such as “(Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay” and “Theme from Shaft.”
Stax Records’ story is intertwined with significant historical events, including the 1972 Wattstax benefit concert, which commemorated the Watts Rebellion. Despite facing numerous challenges, Stax left a lasting legacy on the music industry before its eventual dissolution.
Jamila Wignot expressed her honor in bringing the documentary to Macon, emphasizing Otis Redding’s pivotal role at Stax. Justin Andrews, President of the Macon Film Festival Board and Redding’s grandson, highlighted the documentary’s testament to soul music’s resilience and Redding’s contributions.
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“STAX: Soulsville U.S.A.” is an official selection of the 2024 SXSW Film and TV Festival and winner of the TV Premiere Audience Award. The documentary is produced by Laylow Pictures and White Horse Pictures in association with Concord Originals, Polygram Entertainment, and Warner Music Entertainment.
For more information about the Macon Film Festival, visit maconfilmfestival.com.
