Miss Sharon Jones!

About Miss Sharon Jones!

"Miss Sharon Jones!" is a captivating and inspiring documentary that follows the life of the incredible soul singer, Sharon Jones. Directed by Barbana Kopple, the film was released in 2016. The movie captures the resilience and passion of Sharon as she battles with pancreatic cancer while also trying to reignite her music career with her band, The Dap-Kings.

Making / Production

The film was directed by two-time Academy Award winner, Barbara Kopple. Kopple encapsulates Jones' journey through her struggle with cancer and her triumphant return to the stage. It illustrates the life of a woman whose voice has been described as a combination of James Brown, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin.

Actors

• Sharon Jones as herself, manifests her unyielding strength and infectious energy. Although not an actor, her genuine reactions and emotions contribute to the authenticity of this biographical documentary.
• The Dap-Kings, her band members, contribute to the narrative, by providing interesting insights into Sharon's life and their shared experience in the music industry.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Sharon Jones didn't get her big break until she was 40. After years of performing in obscure gigs, she was finally discovered by Gabriel Roth of Daptone Records.
• During the period that this documentary was filmed, Jones battled with cancer but went back to making and performing music during her periods of remission.

Awards

"Miss Sharon Jones!" was nominated for several awards including a nomination at the Miami International Film Festival for the Knight Documentary Achievement Award.

Quotes

• "I've always believed that better is going to come, I tell myself that. And it will."
• "But even if it doesn't come, and this is my last couple of months, I did what I wanted to do. I achieved what I wanted to achieve."

Music, Soundtrack

• The film features a series of songs performed by Sharon Jones herself and The Dap-Kings, offering audiences an inside look at their high-energy performance style and Jones' powerful voice.
• Some of the songs included are "Tell Me", "Retreat!", "Stranger to My Happiness", and "I'm Still Here".