Educational Media Reviews Online

With crisp, insightful narration backed by an energetic jazz and R&B soundtrack, this documentary on the role of soul food within African American culture is entertaining, informative, thought-provoking and deeply satisfying.

Following his beloved father’s premature death from pancreatic cancer, filmmaker Byron Hurt sets out to investigate the history and importance of soul food in the black community, and why it is so essential to black identity.

After covering the slave-era origins of soul food, Hurt chronicles his exploratory journey to inner cities, rural towns, suburbia and universities around the United States.

The insightful narration and compelling research is spiced with interviews of authors, historians, a vegan soul food chef and restaurant owner, students, activists, nutritionists, university administrators, community leaders -- and many, many regular folks in restaurants, kitchens and on the street.

Hurt very effectively balances national health and demographic statistics with poignant personal stories of love, loss and celebration, serving to humanize the data and hold the viewer’s interest.

This is a very well-produced work in terms of the music, pacing, and the flow of ideas and images. It could have been strengthened by expanding the discussion of food addiction within the black community, and minimizing or omitting the segment on the Soul Food Cookoff competition, which dragged and added little value.

The film is a call to action, concluding with segments showing efforts to promote community gardens and organic farming, to make it culturally acceptable and attractive to embrace a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Awards

• Winner, Best Documentary, American Black Film Festival 2012
• Winner, Best Documentary Feature, Urbanworld Film Festival 2012