SIDNEY is a documentary about an extraordinary, exquisite, and elegant man. It is shared with grace and memorable clips, interviews, and snippets of film magic from Sidney Poitier’s incredible life.
Oprah Winfrey is the producer, and she pulls out all the stops to make sure SIDNEY is portrayed as the man he truly was. To achieve this, Sidney was filmed narrating his history, passions, flaws, dreams, and loves. How did a man born in the Caribbean, “poorer than dirt,” become who he was to the world? This man didn’t know what electricity or running water was. He had a third-grade education, a thick accent, and had never seen his reflection in a mirror. He had no concept of racial inequality. His values and ethics came from his mother and father. He observed how they treated each other, their children, their neighbors, and the community. “The true measure of a man is how he provides for his children.”
SIDNEY was filled with insights from Morgan Freeman, Oprah, Barbare Streisand, Denzel Washington, Quincy Jones, Spike Lee, and Robert Redford. His children, wives, and life-long friend Harry Belafonte also shared tidbits of information and memories. It was well-edited and documented. You learned the good and the bad about the man and how he became an actor, director, producer, activist, and humanitarian. It was a compelling story.
SIDNEY made me feel pride in all he accomplished. He carried the weight of being the “first.” He was powerful and often called “the great Black hope.” He “passed the baton” to those that followed. He knew when to walk away and “enjoy life.” He always wanted to be a “better human being.”
SIDNEY is must-see tv for me. It shows how everyone can be the energy or force they were born to become. It is available to stream on Apple TV+.
