28th THESSALONIKI INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
5 MARCH → 15 MARCH 2026
Segments: Music

The Netherlands 2009 76 Digibeta Color
Sly Stone is one of the great musical innovators of the last 50 years. With his band the Family Stone, he was one of the highlights of the Woodstock Festival. Sly survived his drug addiction but disappeared in the early 80s from the limelight. He became untraceable for years. Filmmakers, musicians (Prince) and friends had tried to contact him, without success. TV stations had offered thousands of dollars in the hope of an interview, but Sly was not to be tempted. In 2002, director/musician Willem Alkema started searching for Sly Stone. Two years later, he found Sly living in a house just outside Los Angeles. Sly Stone didn’t want to be found or filmed but Willem didn’t give up. Finally, in June 2009, Sly gave his first filmed interview in more than 20 years.