Festival (1967 film)


Festival is a 1967 American documentary film about the Newport Folk Festivals of the mid-1960s, and the burgeoning counterculture movement of the era, written, produced, and directed by Murray Lerner.

Production

The movie was filmed over the course of four festivals at Newport, and includes footage of Bob Dylan’s controversial 1965 electric set.

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "The presentation of the music itself is desultory to say the least, consisting of several fragments by unidentified singers. ... The film does record at least one immensely important moment, when 'folk singer' Dylan appears on stage with a group for the very first time to put together a rock version of "Maggie's Farm". But sadly, this recognised turning point in American pop is treated with complete indifference by the film's makers, who don't even bother to show us the whole of Dylan's act or the significantly shocked audience response which greeted it."
Roger Ebert gave the film out of four stars. His highest praise was for the editors, explaining, "They make their points quietly, with humor and understatement. The result is marvelously entertaining." He also gave credit to Lerner for making "full use of the strength of documentary film, the ability to catch unrehearsed moments that reveal personality."

Accolades

Festival was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 1968.

Musicians

The film features appearances by the following artists: