The Greatest Night in Pop is a nostalgic documentary film about the making of the iconic “We Are the World” music video, and is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2024. The film, directed by Bao Nguyen, captures a pivotal moment in music history that took place on January 25, 1985, in Los Angeles. The film chronicles the ambitious and seemingly impossible task of gathering 46 of the world’s most famous stars to record a hit song in a single night, all in the era before cell phones and email. The purpose was noble: to raise a record-breaking amount for African famine relief.
“We Are the World” brought together some of the most significant musicians of the 20th century. The documentary explores the genesis of this historic event, focusing on Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson‘s collaboration. Despite their individual successes, the two had never worked together before co-writing “We Are the World.” Their star power was instrumental in rallying other major artists of the time to join the cause.
The film features never-before-seen footage and interviews with many artists who participated in the recording session. Viewers will get insights from Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis, among others. The documentary also includes perspectives from the musicians, engineers, and production crew who played crucial roles in making the project a reality.
Produced by Lionel Richie, Julia Nottingham, Bruce Eskowitz, Larry Klein, Harriet Sternberg, and George Hencken, with executive producers Angus Wall, Amit Dey, and Becky Read, “The Greatest Night in Pop” is a celebration of a unique moment in music history. The film revisits the creation of a legendary song, and also explores its impact on global pop culture and humanitarian efforts.
Following its premiere at Sundance, the documentary will be available for streaming on Netflix from January 29, 2024.
