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The Reverend

Winner of the DOC NYC Audience Award, The Reverend follows gospel-rock icon and activist Reverend Vince Anderson. After coming to New York in the 90's to enter seminary, Vince dropped out to follow his second calling - music. With his band The Love Choir, he has played a now-legendary weekly show for over twenty years. Reconnecting with his faith and using his intensely soulful music, he began to preach a type of spirituality that is open to all, meets people where they are, and moves everyone that sees him play. Reverend Vince is also deeply involved in social justice, working with other progressive faith leaders in NYC and around the country to build inclusive communities. Featuring Questlove, members of TV On The Radio, and an ensemble of eccentric musicians, The Reverend is a rocking concert film as well as an intimate portrait of Reverend Vince’s inspiring personal and spiritual life.

  • Nick Canfield
    Director
  • Paul Lovelace
    Editor
  • David Usui
    Camera
  • Nelson Walker
    Camera
  • Nick Canfield
    Producer
  • Reverend Vince Anderson
    Key Cast
  • Questlove
    Key Cast
  • Paula Henderson
    Key Cast
  • Millicent Souris
    Key Cast
  • Jaleel Bunton
    Key Cast
  • Jay Bakker
    Key Cast
  • Smoota
    Key Cast
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Music, Biography, Politics, Religion
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 26 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    July 1, 2021
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • DokuFest
    Prizren
    Kosovo
    August 13, 2021
    European Premiere
    Official Selection
  • DOC NYC
    New York, NY
    November 12, 2021
    North American Premiere
    *** Audience Award Winner ***
  • Sound Unseen
    Minneapolis, MN
    November 14, 2021
    Midwest Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Doc'n Roll Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    November 14, 2021
    UK Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Santa Fe Film Festival
    Santa Fe, NM
    February 10, 2022
    Southwest Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Las Cruces Film Festival
    Las Cruces, NM
    March 5, 2022
    Official Selection
  • DocuWest
    Denver, CO
    March 23, 2022
    Colorado Premiere
    Official Selection - Opening Night Film
  • Thin Line Festival
    Denton, TX
    March 25, 2022
    Texas Premiere
    *** Best Domestic Feature Award ***
  • Athens International Film & Video Festival
    Athens, OH
    April 2, 2022
    Ohio Premiere
    Official Selection
  • NorthWest Fest
    Edmonton, AB
    Canada
    May 13, 2022
    Canadian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Austin Film Society's DocuNights Festival
    Austin, Texas
    May 25, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Berkshire Film Festival
    Great Barrington, MA
    June 3, 2022
    New England Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Richmond Film Festival
    Richmond, VA
    June 8, 2022
    Virginia Premiere
    Official Selection
  • deadCenter Film Festival
    Oklahoma City, OK
    June 10, 2022
    Oklahoma Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Martha's Vineyard Film Society's FILMUSIC Festival
    Vineyard Haven, MA
    June 23, 2022
    Official Selection - Opening Night Film
Distribution Information
  • Factory 25
    Distributor
    Country: Worldwide
    Rights: All Rights
Director Biography - Nick Canfield

Nick Canfield is a Director and Cinematographer from New York. He has developed an intimate observational style which he learned over several years as filming partner to legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles. His camerawork can be seen in documentaries such as IRIS, THE FIFTY YEAR ARGUMENT, BORN TO FLY, and IN TRANSIT; and has premiered at festivals including Sundance, the New York Film Festival, and Tribeca. Working on the camera teams for a range of projects such as MAKING A MURDERER, he has had the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of subjects and filmmakers. His first feature film, THE REVEREND, premiered at DOC NYC 2021, and was the Audience Award winner.

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Director Statement

I had been going to see Reverend Vince’s weekly concert for a few years and was always amazed at the power of his performances. It wasn’t just the music that blew me away, it was the feeling of community in the room. Here in the most unlikely of places, a bar in Brooklyn, people from all walks of life were meeting to have a spiritual experience.

Reverend Vince’s music, ‘Dirty Gospel’ as he calls it, is a unique high-energy type of gospel music - he rains sweat on the keyboard as he pounds the keys, he wades into the crowd to embrace them, climbs around on the bar, and has been known for getting naked on stage. His band, The Love Choir, is made up of incredibly talented musicians from well-known bands. So few residencies are left in the music world, and this one has become an institution - every week for over 20 years. People come to the iconic Union Pool from all over the world to see Reverend Vince play, and are enthralled by his kaftan-clad stage presence and his Americana music. I knew I had to bring these incredible performances to a larger audience.

Though what makes Reverend Vince’s story special goes well beyond the music, it is the community he fosters at his shows, the change he affects with his activism, and his compassion for humankind. His modern and inclusive spirituality is a different, progressive kind of Christianity, one that resonates with believers and atheists alike, and can be a force for good. This film gives audiences something we have all been missing, the feeling of being together in shared joy.

I am a firm believer in the effectiveness of atmospheric, character-based observational documentary. Personal stories can be the best way for viewers to connect with a larger issue.

My mentor Albert Maysles used to say that there are so many singular people in the world who don't get to have their stories told, but these stories are what help us to understand each other and the human condition. I make films to tell these unique stories, visually and authentically.

THE REVEREND is a feel-good film about the power of music to bring our communities together, something I think we all need right now.