“An expansive, emotive, celebratory documentary looking at one of history’s most important musical genres” – NPR
Stanley Nelson, Nicole London | USA | 2025 | Unclassified (15+)
Born from the polyrhythmic pulse of Afrobeat, the soul-drenched roots of gospel and R&B, and the swagger of early jazz, funk music rose as a revolutionary force in sound. Fuelled by James Brown’s explosive energy, electrified by George Clinton’s intergalactic Parliament-Funkadelic and driven by Fela Kuti’s Afrobeats, funk carved out a space that was defiant, ecstatic and deeply rooted in Black identity. We Want the Funk! is the story of how funk rewired popular music — one syncopated step at a time.
Directors Stanley Nelson and Nicole London bring a fun, high-energy vibe to this deep dive into a genre that was created to make you groove. Along the way, iconic artists past and present — like James Brown, George Clinton, David Bowie, Questlove, David Byrne and more — share personal stories and insights on funk’s lasting legacy.
Don’t miss this celebration of rhythm, rebellion and the irresistible power of funk.
We Want the Funk! is part of MIJF’s Jazz on Film series, taking place at ACMI, Fed Square and Palace Penny Lane Cinema.
