Netflix rolls out a riveting and well put together documentary of singer, pianist and activist Nina Simone, documenting her life through the Civil Rights Era to retiring from performing.
Directed by Liz Garbus, the film starts off with Simone performing at the 1976 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland shortly after her move to Liberia, a purposeful exile from the United States. Simone’s daughter, Lisa Simone Kelly gives commentary throughout the film as recorded conversation of Nina moves the film along. Through her music, Nina was able to sing about the struggle of being a Black America during the 1950s along with performing and speaking at many Civil Rights meetings.
The film focuses on Nina’s personal struggles with herself, particularly on her race. Nina recounts that as a child, she always knew she was black and that there was a big difference between her and the other white kids. Her daughter recalls that her mother was told “that your nose was too big, her lips were too full and her skin was too dark,” comments like those stick with a person. And it did, leading Nina to stop performing and leave the U.S. for Liberia. The film also provides intimate looks at her life through pictures, video and interviews from friends and family. “What Happened, Miss Simone?” is a moving documentary that introduces Nina Simone as she truly was and not in a different light.
