Thumbs Up for Mother Universe: Stories from the Life of Lonnie Holley

CRITIC’S PICK: Filmed over a 25-year period, Thumbs Up for Mother Universe chronicles the extraordinary life and career of Lonnie Holley. Born in 1950 in Birmingham, AL, the seventh of 27 children, Holley endured an incredibly brutal and disadvantaged upbringing, from which he nevertheless drew inspiration to produce deeply poignant art and, later, imaginatively improvised music, for which he is known the world over. Atlantan George King’s feature-length documentary delves into Holley’s creative process including his insights into conservation, ecology and the environment, and visionary sources, which are rooted in southern life and African American history and culture. For the Thu., Mar. 24, screening of Thumbs Up for Mother Universe, Holley and King will be on hand for a live Q&A session. — Doug DeLoach