American Utopia (film) explained
American Utopia |
Director: | Spike Lee |
Starring: | David Byrne |
Cinematography: | Ellen Kuras |
Editing: | Adam Gough |
Music: | David Byrne |
Distributor: | HBO (United States) Universal Pictures (International) |
Runtime: | 105 minutes[1] |
Country: | United States |
Language: | English |
Gross: | $275,304[2] |
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. The film features selections from that album, as well as songs from throughout Byrne's career. Byrne performed alongside eleven musicians, all of whom used wireless or portable equipment. Frequent collaborator Annie-B Parson served 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, electric and acoustic guitars
- 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 – drums
- Jacquelene Acevedo – drums
- Daniel Freedman – drums
- Stephane San Juan – drums
Songs
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.[3] [4]
Release
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2020.[5] It screened at the New York Film Festival on October 3, 2020,[6] [7] and the BFI London Film Festival on October 14, 2020.[8] [9] 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.[10] [11] Universal Pictures distributes the film in all other countries.[12] 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."[13] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 92 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[14]
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 Utopias resonance isn’t so much one of joy versus despair as it is connection versus isolation".[15]
Accolades
Notes and References
- Web site: American Utopia. Toronto International Film Festival. September 8, 2020. September 6, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200906205356/https://tiff.net/events/american-utopia. live.
- 11874226 . David Byrne's American Utopia (2020) . . November 4, 2023.
- Web site: Spike Lee-Directed Filmed Version of 'David Byrne's American Utopia' to Premiere on HBO. Variety. J.. Kim Murphy. June 16, 2020. July 21, 2020. July 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200722022029/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/spike-lee-david-byrne-american-utopia-hbo-1234637077/. live.
- Web site: Spike Lee-Directed Film Version Of 'David Byrne's American Utopia' Heads To HBO. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. June 16, 2020. July 21, 2020. July 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200709183537/https://deadline.com/2020/06/spike-lee-david-byrnes-american-utopia-hbo-1202960517/. live.
- Web site: 'American Utopia,' Spike Lee's David Byrne Concert Film, to Open Toronto Film Festival. Variety. Brent. Lang. July 21, 2020. July 21, 2020. July 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200722015124/https://variety.com/2020/film/markets-festivals/american-utopia-david-byrne-spike-lee-toronto-film-festival-tiff-1234712194/. live.
- Web site: Sofia Coppola's 'On the Rocks,' Pedro Almodovar's 'The Human Voice' and Orson Welles Doc Added to NYFF Lineup. TheWrap. Brian. Welk. August 27, 2020. August 27, 2020. October 29, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201029003347/https://www.thewrap.com/sofia-coppolas-on-the-rocks-pedro-almodovars-the-human-voice-and-orson-welles-doc-added-to-nyff-lineup/. live.
- Web site: American Utopia. New York Film Festival. August 29, 2020. September 18, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200918164220/https://www.filmlinc.org/nyff2020/films/david-byrnes-american-utopia/. live.
- Web site: American Utopia. BFI London Film Festival. September 22, 2020. October 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201005133948/https://www.bfi.org.uk/london-film-festival/screenings/american-utopia. dead.
- Web site: 'Nomadland,' 'American Utopia,' 'Soul' Added as Rejigged London Film Festival Unveils Full Program. The Hollywood Reporter. Alex. Ritman. September 8, 2020. September 22, 2020. September 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200909065249/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/nomadland-american-utopia-soul-added-as-rejigged-london-film-festival-unveils-full-program. live.
- Web site: Watch the New Trailer for David Byrne's American Utopia, Directed by Spike Lee. Matthew. Strauss. Pitchfork. August 24, 2020. August 25, 2020. August 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200824181816/https://pitchfork.com/news/watch-the-new-trailer-for-david-byrnes-american-utopia-directed-by-spike-lee/. live.
- Web site: 'David Byrne's American Utopia' Teaser: HBO Releases First Look At Spike Lee's Film Adaptation Of Broadway Smash. Greg. Evans. Deadline. August 24, 2020. October 2, 2020. September 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200919035127/https://deadline.com/video/david-byrnes-american-utopia-teaser-trailer-spike-lee-hbo-premiere-date/. live.
- Web site: Spike Lee-Directed 'David Byrne's American Utopia' Heading To Universal PCG For International. Deadline Hollywood. Tom. Grater. September 22, 2020. September 22, 2020. September 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200922190008/https://deadline.com/2020/09/spike-lee-david-byrnes-american-utopia-universal-pcg-international-1234582140/. live.
- Web site: David Byrne's American Utopia (2020). Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. . https://web.archive.org/web/20210119091344/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/david_byrnes_american_utopia. January 19, 2021. live.
- Web site: American Utopia. Metacritic. September 22, 2020. September 16, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200916054221/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/david-byrnes-american-utopia. live.
- Web site: David Byrne and Spike Lee Made American Utopia the Right Movie for 2020 . Adams . Erik . en-US . October 23, 2020 . October 19, 2020 . . October 22, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201022060709/https://tv.avclub.com/david-byrne-and-spike-lee-made-american-utopia-the-righ-1845396865 . live .
- Web site: Chloé Zhao's Nomadland Leads Chicago Film Critics Association 2020 Award Nominations . December 18, 2020 . . March 23, 2021 . December 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201218161648/https://chicagofilmcritics.org/blog/2020nominations . live .
- Web site: 2020 Florida Film Critics Circle Award Nominations. December 17, 2020. December 21, 2020. Florida Film Critics Circle. December 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201217210239/http://www.floridafilmcritics.com/2020/12/17/2020-florida-film-critics-circle-award-nominations/. live.
- Web site: San Diego Film Critics give love to 'Promising Young Woman,' 'Sound of Metal'. January 11, 2021. March 23, 2021. Awards Watch. Erik. Anderson. March 23, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210323080439/https://awardswatch.com/san-diego-film-critics-give-love-to-promising-young-woman-sound-of-metal/. live.
- Web site: Nomadland Leads 24th Annual TFCA Awards. Toronto Film Critics Association. February 7, 2021. March 23, 2021. February 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210208040332/https://torontofilmcritics.com/features/nomadland-leads-tfca-awards/. live.
- Web site: DGA Awards: 'Ted Lasso,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Score Two TV Nominations Apiece. The Hollywood Reporter. Hilary. Lewis. Mikey. O'Connell. March 8, 2021. March 23, 2021. March 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210311050041/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/2021-dga-awards-documentary-tv-commercial-nominations. live.
- Web site: 'Minari,' 'Trial of the Chicago 7' Among American Cinema Editors' Eddie Awards Nominees. March 11, 2021. March 11, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter. Carolyn. Giardina. March 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210311160728/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/behind-screen/minari-trial-of-the-chicago-7-among-american-cinema-editors-eddie-awards-nominees. live.
- Web site: David Byrne's American Utopia . Emmys.com . . July 13, 2021.
- Web site: 2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List. November 23, 2021. Grammy Awards. November 23, 2021.