How much does What Happened, Miss Simone? cost?

What Happened, Miss Simone? has plans starting from N/A (included with Netflix subscription).

How does What Happened, Miss Simone? compare to competitors?

Lunoo provides objective, AI-powered comparisons. Use the comparison tool to see What Happened, Miss Simone? side-by-side with any alternative.

zoom_in Click to enlarge

What Happened, Miss Simone?

9.2

Excellent

description What Happened, Miss Simone? Overview

This documentary provides a raw and unflinching look at the life of Nina Simone, one of the most influential and complex artists of the 20th century. Using rare footage and personal diaries, the film explores her journey from a classical piano prodigy to a jazz icon and a fierce civil rights activist. It does not shy away from her struggles with mental health and the personal toll of her activism. It is a powerful, essential portrait of a woman who used her art as a weapon for justice and equality.

recommend Best for: Music enthusiasts, civil rights history buffs, and documentary viewers seeking an emotionally resonant, deeply researched portrait of a pioneering artist and activist.

info What Happened, Miss Simone? Specifications

Genre	Documentary, Biography, Music
Title	What Happened, Miss Simone?
Awards	Academy Award Nominee, Sundance Grand Jury Prize
Format	Documentary
Runtime	101 minutes
Subject	Nina Simone (Eunice Kathleen Waymon, 1933-2003)
Director	Liz Garbus
Language	English
Distributor	Netflix
Release Year	2014
Production Company	Netflix, A24

balance What Happened, Miss Simone? Pros & Cons

thumb_up Pros

check Rare archival footage and personal diaries provide unprecedented access to Nina Simone's private life and creative process
check Deeply explores her civil rights activism and the personal sacrifices she made for the movement
check Excellent musical curation spanning her classical training to jazz and blues masterpieces
check First-hand accounts from family members and collaborators create a intimate, authentic portrait
check Powerful storytelling that balances her artistic genius with personal struggles and triumphs
check Award-winning direction by Liz Garbus that earned an Academy Award nomination

thumb_down Cons

close Some viewers may find the pacing uneven, with certain periods rushed while others linger
close Limited coverage of her exile years in the 1980s-1990s leaves some biographical gaps
close The documentary prioritizes emotional narrative over comprehensive musical analysis
close May not satisfy viewers seeking purely celebratory content about her musical achievements
close Access to certain subjects and footage was restricted, potentially limiting full perspective

help What Happened, Miss Simone? FAQ

Where can I stream What Happened, Miss Simone?

The documentary is available on Netflix and can also be rented or purchased through Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, and Apple TV. Library streaming services may also have access.

What awards did What Happened, Miss Simone win?

The film was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2015 and won the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize in 2014.

Is this documentary based on primary sources and interviews?

Yes, director Liz Garbus used extensive archival footage, Nina Simone's personal diaries and letters, and conducted interviews with her daughter, brother, friends, and musicians who worked with her.

What made Nina Simone significant in music and civil rights history?

Nina Simone was a classically trained pianist who became a pioneering jazz artist, blending classical, jazz, blues, and folk music while using her platform to advocate for civil rights through powerful protest songs.

How long is the documentary?

What Happened, Miss Simone? has a runtime of approximately 101 minutes (1 hour and 41 minutes), making it a standard feature-length documentary.