Neon has acquired the North American rights to “Amazing Grace,” the Aretha Franklin documentary film that made its world premiere at DOC NYC and then screened at the AFI Film Festival in November, the distributor announced.
The company is planning an early 2019 theatrical release, and it has already opened in New York and Los Angeles for an Oscar-qualifying run.
With footage captured by the late Sydney Pollack and realized by Alan Elliott, the 1972 concert film presents Aretha Franklin with a choir at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Watts back when the legendary queen of soul was 29 years old and at the peak of her vocal powers.