20 Feet from Stardom is a documentary film directed by Morgan Neville. It focuses on the stories of backup singers who have contributed to popular music for decades but have never been credited properly for their exceptional performances. The film explores the personal and professional lives of these talented artists, who have worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Mick Jagger, and Bette Midler.
The film features interviews with several legendary backup singers, including Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, and Judith Hill. It also includes archival footage of their live performances as well as interviews with some of the musicians they have worked with. The film examines the complex relationship between backup singers and lead singers, and how gender, race, and class have influenced their careers.
20 Feet from Stardom premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2013 and received critical acclaim. It won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2014. The film sheds light on the importance of backup singers in the music industry and the challenges they face in gaining recognition for their contributions. It is both a celebration of their talent and a reminder of their struggle to be seen and heard in a world that often overlooks their contributions.