Asbury Park: Riot, Redemption, Rock & Roll

The story of the long troubled town of Asbury Park, and how the power of music can unite a divided community. A once storied seaside resort, Asbury Park erupted in flames during a summer of civil unrest, crippling the town for the next 45 years and reducing it to a state of urban blight. A town literally divided by a set of railroad tracks, the riot destroyed the fabled Westside jazz and blues scene, but from the flames of the burning city emerged the iconic Jersey sound.

Directed by Tom Jones, Asbury Park: Riot, Redemption, Rock & Roll leans on a strong ensemble — Bruce Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt, Southside Johnny — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about documentary titles of 2019.