Universal Pictures has just announced the worldwide release of The Selim’s Corner on Blu-ray 4K, a mythical work from 1973 that has been unseen for over fifty years.
An unexpected foray into Blaxploitation
In 1971, Gordon Parks’ Shaft revolutionized American cinema. Clint Eastwood, a young director passionate about African-American culture and jazz, decided to embrace the codes of Blaxploitation. With larger budgets, he embarked on directing The Selim’s Corner with a clear ambition: to cast all black artists and musicians.
Miles Davis: from the stage to the screen
At that time, Miles Davis was more than just a musician; he was a fashion icon with magnetic charisma. Fascinated by his “pop star” aura, Clint Eastwood convinced him to take on the lead role in the film. Davis portrays a character in his own image: intense, mysterious, and revolutionary.
To accompany this performance, Eastwood went all out. The soundtrack was entrusted to the genius arranger Quincy Jones, while the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, lent her voice to the original songs of the film.
A historic restoration for the centenary
Long considered a cursed or lost film, The Selim’s Corner now benefits from state-of-the-art restoration distributed by Universal Pictures. This Blu-ray 4K release is the perfect opportunity to celebrate Miles Davis’ centenary.
Beyond the film, this anniversary also serves as a pretext for literary exploration. To honor his memory, authors have imagined an “alternate Miles” through romantic uchronies. What if Miles had recorded other albums? What if he had made other encounters? These stories reinvent a life that, in reality as in fiction, was a true novel.
In 2026, amidst this cinematic rediscovery and these literary tributes, one certainty remains: the spirit of Miles Davis is more alive than ever just around the corner.
