A Billy Preston documentary and the story of a girl's journey to bake cake open April 3 at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center.
Featuring never-before-seen archival footage, studio outtakes and rare photos, "Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned" is an exhilarating documentary about the legendary Grammy-winning musician whose signature sound shaped the work of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Sly Stone, Aretha Franklin and countless others.
Billy Preston was perhaps the most unsung musical hero of his time. Born in Houston, Texas, in 1946, he arrived in Los Angeles with his family three years later. At just 5 years old, he was backing gospel legend Mahalia Jackson. By age 10, he was appearing with Ray Charles on film, and by age 15, he was touring with Little Richard in Hamburg, Germany, where he met Richard’s opening act — The Beatles. He would later perform and record with the biggest names in music, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and countless others. He generated his own unforgettable No. 1 hits, including “Outa-Space,” “Will It Go Round in Circles,” “Nothing from Nothing,” and “You Are So Beautiful” — and his first hit single in 1969, on The Beatles’ Apple Records, “That’s The Way God Planned It,” produced by his lifelong friend, George Harrison.
But Billy had quietly held secrets about his sexuality and early sexual abuse, known to very few in his life, which tormented him his entire life, affecting not only his well-being and relationships but also influencing his career choices. It is the interweaving of these complicated aspects of this wonderful musician’s life with his extraordinary musical career that Emmy-winning director Paris Barclay has so thoughtfully crafted in "Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It."
"Billy Preston: That’s the Way God Planned It" is not rated and plays through April 16.
While people across 1990’s Iraq struggle to survive, 9-year old Lamia has been selected to prepare a cake to celebrate the President’s birthday. In a landscape of fear and scarcity, where basic ingredients are nearly impossible to find, Lamia sets out on a determined journey throughout the big city in search of eggs, flour and sugar. Accompanied by her grandmother, her loyal friend Saeed and her pet rooster Hindi, she navigates vendors and police officers along the way.
"The President’s Cake," Winner of the Camera D’Or and Audience Award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, and the Official Iraq Entry for the Best International Film Academy Award 2025, embodies innocence, imagination and inner strength.
"The President’s Cake" is rated PG-13 and plays through April 9.
For more information on films, including showtimes and ticket availability, visit the Ross' website.
