The feature-length documentary Sylvester: Mighty Real will bring back to life the pioneering performer John Waters calls a combination of “Billie Holiday and Diana Ross on LSD.” Sylvester began as a child gospel singer and sashayed past barriers of race and sexual identity to become the definitive anthemist of disco and dance soul. With a vibrant falsetto and genderbending persona, he redefined what it means—on stage and in life—to be “mighty real.” This documentary will restore to the spotlight a pivotal performer whose music defined an era and whose influence is still felt by dozens of current vocalists.

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