Paraphrasing a subject: "Participating in civil rights activism was rough on any family. Now imagine being a genius woman when that wasn't something society was ready to recognize... Nina Simone wasn't at odd with the times. The times were at odds with her."

Heartbreaking and beautiful. It's not going to win any awards for form, but the archival content and research more than make up for its plainness. I would have watched this as a multi-part miniseries that expanded on each part of Nina Simone's career, but as a feature length overview that appropriately focuses the majority of its time on her shift from pop-star to radical, it's still pretty great. Why isn't this in theaters?

(Just kidding, I can think of a few reasons why... America, goddamn)

far too staid for such a revolutionary woman, but Nina shines through via brilliant archival footage.

it's 2015. Jay Leno is off tv, we have flying meth drones, an orange man is speaker of the house. time to retire talking heads in docs.

If you're not familiar with Miss Nina Simone, you need to watch this documentary. Certain documentaries come out and are important. This is one of those documentaries. One of the biggest popular culture figures in the civil rights movement, Miss Simone played a crucial part in motivating young, gifted, and black students across America. She was extremely controversial, especially when her focus shifted towards a more a violent message. But she was determined to do whatever it took. If that meant losing her spotlight, so be it.

An extremely gifted musician and an even more interesting figure in American culture. The documentary does a great job of piecing together tons of old footage of Nina Simone and other public figures at the time. A great job of weaving in some made footage with the found footage. It accomplishes exactly what it wants to and I hope a lot of people get to see it.

We've reached a point as a society where subtitles are needed to read cursive handwriting

"What Happened, Miss Simone" is an excellent documentary that covers the tortured life of a true musical legend, Nina Simone. This film doesn't hold anything back as it highlights some of the most intimate details of her tumultuous life. From being a figurehead of the civil rights movement, to enduring physical spousal abuse, to mental health issues that went unchecked during a time where the field was severely lacking, to mismanagement of money and a declining lifestyle. This film covers it all in a stark and brutally honest way. Where most documentaries tend to edify the subject matter this film manages to restrain itself from positive or negative judgement for the most part. In the end we see a three dimensional human being that despite enduring many struggles had the constant and burning passion for music that gave her and the world so much joy.

"I want to shake people up so bad."

Opening with a quote from another extremely influential black woman, Maya Angelou:

"Miss Simone, you are idolized, even loved, by millions now. But what happened, Miss Simone?"

This documentary does it's best to explain that. Still, you finish it wanting to know more.

I’m terribly embarrassed to say I don’t believe I’ve ever heard of Nina Simone. If I had I still definitely would not have known who she was or what she was famous for. Being introduced to her in the opening of this film was quite an experience. Her control over the audience, her shaking body but steady eyes bring you in despite clearly revealing danger. The documentary had a lot of similarities to Amy from earlier last year. Like Amy it is a clear depiction of the deterioration of an artist’s mental state--their persona, their psyche, their being. The archival footage used was so great I almost wished they had left the interviews with the daughter and ex-husband out completely. The combination of the editing and the music reveal an artist who still seems to be living in every note she sang and every note she played.

MISSISSIPPI GODDAM

“Most people are afraid to be as honest as she lived.”

i'm embarrassed to say that i knew very little about her before watching this, other than being a fan of some music and knowing she was an artist who felt it was important to reflect the times. i learned so much from this and i feel like it was an honest and empathetic portrayal. it didn't try to present one image, it didn't cover up stuff, it didn't take what friends and family members said at face value, and it often let Nina Simone speak for herself.

review coming soon but GODDAM MISS SIMONE!!! she is truly one for the books. this film opens a door into a life that crosses the paths of all, regardless of time, race, emotion. this director shut it DOWN

Im in pieces miss Simone

"Como você pode ser artista e não refletir os tempos?"

Fiquei arrepiada de ver o quão magnífica e potente a Nina Simone era, e na mesma proporção, triste e revoltada por assistir o quão atormentada ela foi. Ela não deveria ter passado pelo que passou, ninguém deveria. Toda a raiva que ela sentia tinha uma gênese social, não individual. E usar dessa raiva pra fazer arte política foi um ato nobre, porém extremamente cansativo. Nina foi gigante. 

Uma pessoa extremamente complexa e profunda, e talvez esse tenha sido o erro do doc: não ter conseguido chegar ao nível de profundidade dela.

This profile of singer Nina Simone utilizes a wealth of archival footage, concert material and interviews with the performer in order to tell the story of her remarkable career and civil-rights activism.

A great bio pic about an American treasure.

Lisa Simone produces a tribute both wholesome and disheartening. What Happened, Miss Simone? shows the effects that fighting for freedom can have not just on one’s career, but their well-being.

Top 3 Nina Simone songs:

1. Sinnerman
2. I put a spell on you
3. Don't le me be missunderstood/ Feeling good

Archival footages plus talking heads, couldn't they at least try to make it a bit more diverse and creative?