The documentary “Lady You Shot Me – Life and Death of Sam Cooke” tells the story of the short but equally influential life of one of the most important artists of the 1950s and 60s: Sam Cooke. It takes a particularly close look at the mysterious circumstances surrounding his violent death. Was he killed in self-defence, as officially claimed? Or was it murder, as his family, friends and conspiracy theorists believe? A question that is worth asking, even if it ultimately remains unresolved. Because simply looking into the circumstances of his death, controversial to this day, affords insights into the social context during the founding years of pop music, which Sam Cooke defied more forcefully than any other black musician of his day.