The remarkable story of Maya Angelou’s life as a world renowned poet, civil rights activist, teacher and performer is now a feature documentary headed to Sundance Film Festival. Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise features in-depth interviews with those who knew her best including Oprah Winfrey, Quincy Jones, Diahann Carroll, and Lou Gossett Jr. The 112 minute film chronicles Angelou’s remarkable artistic journey which led her path as a dancer.

An exclusive clip released Tuesday by The Hollywood Reporter features Angelou as Miss Calypso in the 1957 film, Calypso Heat Wave. Dawning a slim figure, in a snug fitting dress with a slit, showing just enough leg, she graced the stage barefoot singing an Afro-Caribbean tune.

“Most people know of Maya Angelou as an incredible poet and writer, but this clip shows a lesser-known part of her life,” said co-directors Bob Hercules and Rita Coburn-Whack (who was Angelou’s radio producer and is making her directorial debut). “But here she is, shown in the mid-’50s performing as a calypso singer and dancer.”

Angelou died at age 86 in April of 2014. Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise premieres at Sundance next Tuesday and this fall on PBS’s American Masters.

Still I Rise

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