Zora Neale Hurston: Jump at the Sun is an impressive documentary about Hurston’s life and work. The film features excellent archival footage, much of it filmed by Hurston for her ethnographic studies. It also features interviews with notable people, including Henry Louis Gates, Maya Angelou, Alice Walker and Dorothy West. The film covers a lot in a tight, well-edited 84 minutes giving the viewer not only an overview of Hurston’s life but also perspectives on the Harlem Renaissance, the nature of ethnographic studies, and race relations in the United States during the early and mid 20th Century.

As good as the film is, it is a basic, by-the-numbers biography alternating between archival footage and talking heads, which is not necessarily a bad thing. However, in terms of ranking this documentary for the Notables Committee, the basic style may keep it from finding its way to the top of the list. In addition, many of the interviews are archival as well and vary in style and quality. A dramatized radio interview with Hurston feels superfluous.

This criticisms are minor and Jump at the Sun is essential for anyone interested in Hurston, African American History or American Literature.