Questlove to direct Earth, Wind & Fire documentary: A journey through soul, self, and struggle
A legendary band revisited
Do you remember the 21st night of September? Let six-time Grammy winner and Academy Award-winning director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson take you on a nostalgic journey through the definitive documentary on the iconic group Earth, Wind & Fire.
Earth, Wind & Fire stands as one of the most critically and commercially successful pop bands of all time. With over 90 million records sold, 11 consecutive albums going gold or platinum, six Grammy Awards, and timeless hits like Shining Star, Let’s Groove, Reasons, and of course, September, their legacy is undeniable. The forthcoming feature documentary, which Questlove hinted at on social media as arriving in 2025, will delve into the group’s lasting legacy, cultural impact, and enduring body of work. The film will feature exclusive access to archives of visual, audio, and written material, with the support of the estate of the late Maurice White and the band.
Questlove’s personal connection
“Having been baptized in the Afrocentric joy river of this powerhouse unit, I’ve learned about them, I’ve learned about us & more importantly, I’ve learned and rediscovered myself in the process,” said Thompson in a statement announcing the project. “I’m so excited to be part of the process of preserving their positive but VERY vulnerable and real story of Soul, Self & Struggle.”
Band members’ anticipation
In a joint statement, Earth, Wind & Fire band members Philip Bailey, Verdine White, and Ralph Johnson expressed their excitement: “We look forward to this in-depth journey of our band, and are so excited to have Questlove directing the documentary.”
Production and financing
The documentary is financed by Fifth Season, known for projects like McCartney 3, 2, 1, Being Mary Tyler Moore, Superpower, and Kiss the Future. Fifth Season will also handle sales alongside WME.
Questlove’s filmmaking journey
This project marks Questlove’s latest venture into filmmaking after his directorial debut with Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), which won an Academy Award, a BAFTA award, a Film Independent Spirit award, a Peabody award, and the Sundance grand jury prize. The Roots frontman has also executive produced documentaries like The League, from Academy Award nominee Sam Pollard, and Sundance award winner Descendant, from Emmy nominee Margaret Brown. Currently, he is working on a documentary about Sly and the Family Stone.
The production team
Questlove, RadicalMedia’s Dave Sirulnick and Samantha Grogin, as well as Broken Halo Entertainment’s KB White (son of late band leader Maurice White) and Kinfolk Management + Media’s Arron Saxe will serve as producers on the film, which will be produced in association with Sony Music Vision. Executive producers include Zarah Zohlman and Shawn Gee of Two One Five Entertainment (the production company founded by The Roots’ Questlove and Black Thought), Jon Kamen of RadicalMedia, Cheo Hodari Coker, and Amos Newman.
A captivating exploration
“This is an incredibly exciting opportunity to give audiences unfettered access to one of the most successful and culturally meaningful music groups in history,” said Mary Lisio, EVP of non-scripted development & production at Fifth Season. “We have tremendous confidence this will be a captivating exploration of the groundbreaking group and its rise to global superstardom.”
“Earth, Wind & Fire’s impact has been at the heart of popular culture around the globe for decades,” added Sirulnick, president of entertainment at RadicalMedia, which collaborates with Questlove for the fourth time. ”We have many thanks to give, however, this project wouldn’t be possible without the trust and partnership of KB White and Arron Saxe, for whom we have the utmost respect.”
A personal reflection
For fans of cinema, TV series, and music, this documentary promises to be a profound exploration of a band that has not only shaped the music industry but also influenced cultural and social landscapes. Questlove’s personal connection to Earth, Wind & Fire adds a layer of authenticity and passion to the project, ensuring that it will resonate deeply with audiences. As we await its release, the anticipation builds for what is sure to be a moving tribute to a legendary group.