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American Utopia (film)
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Wikipedia article
'American Utopia' is a 2020 American concert film directed and produced by Spike Lee, from a screenplay by David Byrne. The film is a live recording of a Broadway performance of the show adapted from the touring show that supported the album of the same name, featuring selections from that album, as well as songs from throughout Byrne's career. Byrne performs alongside eleven musicians, all performing with wireless or portable equipment. Frequent collaborator Annie-B Parson serves as choreographer.
It had its world premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2020. The film received critical acclaim.
Cast
All provide percussion; all except Byrne provide backing vocals.
*David Byrne lead vocals, occasional guitar
* Chris Giarmo dancing, melodica
* Tendayi Kuumba dancing
* Karl Mansfield keyboards, musical director
* Angie Swan electric guitar
* Bobby Wooten III bass
* Mauro Refosco drums, musical director
* Tim Keiper drums
* Gustavo Di Dalva
* Jacquelene Acevedo drums
* Daniel Freedman drums
* Stephane San Juan drums
Songs
*"Here" (from 'American Utopia')
*"I Know Sometimes a Man Is Wrong" (from 'Rei Momo')
*"Don't Worry About the Government" (from 'Talking Heads: 77')
*"Lazy" (from 'Muzikizum' by X-Press 2)
*"This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)" (from 'Speaking in Tongues')
*"I Zimbra" (from 'Fear of Music')
*"Slippery People" (from 'Speaking in Tongues')
*"I Should Watch TV" (from 'Love This Giant')
*"Everybody's Coming to My House" (from 'American Utopia')
*"Once in a Lifetime" (from 'Remain in Light')
*"Glass, Concrete & Stone" (from 'Grown Backwards')
*"Toe Jam" (from 'I Think We're Gonna Need a Bigger Boat' by The Brighton Port Authority)
*"Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)" (from 'Remain in Light')
*"I Dance Like This" (from 'American Utopia')
*"Bullet" (from 'American Utopia')
*"Every Day Is a Miracle" (from 'American Utopia')
*"Blind" (from 'Naked')
*"Burning Down the House" (from 'Speaking in Tongues')
*"Hell You Talmbout" (from 'The Electric Lady' by Janelle Mone)
*"One Fine Day" (from 'Everything That Happens Will Happen Today')
*"Road to Nowhere" (from 'Little Creatures')
*"Everybody's Coming to My House: Detroit" (End Credits)
Production
In June 2020, it was announced Spike Lee had directed a filmed version of the Broadway performance 'American Utopia' by David Byrne, with HBO distributing.
Release
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2020. It screened at the New York Film Festival on October 3, 2020, and the BFI London Film Festival on October 14, 2020. It was broadcast in the United States and Canada on HBO and made available for streaming through HBO Max (U.S.) and Crave (Canada) on October 17, 2020. Universal Pictures distributes the film in all other countries. The film received a limited theatrical release in the United States throughout September 2021.
Reception
'American Utopia' received critical acclaim. It holds approval rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews, with an average of . The site's critical consensus reads, "Helmed in elegant and exhilarating style by Spike Lee, 'David Byrne's American Utopia' is a concert film that doubles as a joyously cathartic celebration." On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 93 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".
Erik Adams of 'The A.V. Club' devotes a lengthy review to 'American Utopia' as "the right movie for 2020", noting how Byrne balances hope in a tumultuous world, writing, "The key to 'American Utopia's resonance isnt so much one of joy versus despair as it is connection versus isolation".
Accolades
References
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