Coming not long after the release of ’Round Nina: A Tribute to Nina Simone a fine multi-artist all-star tribute album to Nina Simone a new documentary about Simone has opened the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and is to air on Netflix.
What Happened, Miss Simone?, the title drawn from a Maya Angelou essay, is directed by Bobby Fischer Against The World documentary maker Liz Garbus, and uses previously unseen footage and unheard recordings. The film tackles head-on the issues the singer who died in 2003 had with domestic abuse, alcohol and mental struggles. Interviewees include Lisa Simone Kelly, Nina's daughter and only child, the singer's guitarist and MD Al Shackman, and ex-husband Andrew Stroud. Billboard reports that John Legend performed songs associated with Simone, ‘Lilac Wine,’ ‘I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’ at the screening. Nina Simone, above