
Keep On Keepin’ On
2014

2015
Director
Barbara Kopple
Runtime
93 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Two-time Academy Award® winner Barbara Kopple shines a powerful, inspiring and entertaining spotlight on contemporary soul queen Sharon Jones. As she prepares to release her much-anticipated new album, Sharon comes face to-face with the greatest challenge of her life: a grave cancer diagnosis. Follow this tour de force over the course of an eventful and remarkable year as she struggles to hold her band The Dap-Kings together while battling her way back to the stage with the unstoppable determination of a true soul survivor
Overall Score
Good
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The documentary does not center on LGBTQ+ identities or narratives. There is no explicit depiction of non-heteronormative identities or queer-coded subtext serving as a primary narrative driver.
Gender Representation
Sharon Jones is depicted as a formidable, authoritative leader and the primary decision-maker for the Dap-Kings. The film subverts tropes by positioning her as the central architect of the ensemble's success.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The film offers an exceptional celebration of Black musical heritage and agency. The cast is predominantly Black, ensuring the story is told through the lens of the musicians' own professional mastery.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The narrative prioritizes Black musical traditions and cultural preservation over mainstream commercialism. It celebrates the resilience of a specific community and the subjective truth of the artist's journey.
Disability Representation
Jones’s battle with intestinal cancer is depicted with dignity rather than as inspiration porn. The film focuses on her determination to maintain professional leadership despite her physical vulnerability.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Barbara Kopple’s documentary is a sophisticated biographical study that challenges traditional power dynamics. It succeeds by centering a Black female leader and refusing to diminish her agency against industry patriarchy or physical illness. The film excels in its portrayal of racial and gendered authority. By focusing on the revival of soul and funk, it elevates Black cultural history and positions Jones as a matriarchal force rather than a passive performer. While the film lacks explicit LGBTQ+ narratives, it provides a nuanced look at navigating a life-altering health crisis. The focus remains on the artist's autonomy and cultural ownership throughout her struggle.

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