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"The People Speak” was a special music and spoken word program at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Performers included Sundance founder Robert Redford, Woody Harrelson, Josh Brolin, Benjamin Bratt, and Marissa Tomei.
The spoken word passages themselves consisted of quotes from famed American revolutionaries and socially conscious activists like Thoreau, Susan B. Anthony, Steinbeck, Ginsberg, and Fredrick Douglass. Live musical performances from Black Crowes’ Rich Robinson and Wyclef Jean were also woven into the program.
Rich Robinson, founding member of Black Crowes and younger brother of lead singer Chris Robinson, contributed acoustic performances of classic folk songs and Bob Dylan covers. Wyclef kicked his set off by getting the packed crowd revved up with special presidential-themed reggae jam with the chorus line- “Obama’s the President…”
Following Jean’s homage to Obama, the Grammy-winning Fugee dove into his next song with a full-blown, face-melting guitar solo- complete with behind the back guitar slinging and playing with his teeth. After ripping through a quick three song set, Wyclef and his airtight three-piece band wrapped things up to book across the street and party with Redford and his celebrity posse.
For the lucky few attendees who were able to make it into the event before the venue hit capacity, it was a nice diversion that added a little cultural awareness to the Sundance experience.
There are plans to adapt these types of live readings into a documentary-style film. Visit the official “People Speak” website to see more about how that project is coming together: www.thepeoplespeak.com.
