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Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.

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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)

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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Critical reception

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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]

Accolades

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76th Primetime Emmy Awards - Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Nonfiction Program (nomination)[13]

References

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  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. ^ a b "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.
  13. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Television Academy. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
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