American Utopia(film)
American Utopia | |
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![]() Official poster | |
Directed by | Spike Lee |
Written by | David Byrne |
Produced by |
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Starring | David Byrne |
Cinematography | Ellen Kuras |
Edited by | Adam Gough |
Music by | David Byrne |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | HBO(United States) Universal Pictures(International)[1] |
Release dates |
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Running time | 105 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $275,304[3] |
American Utopiais a 2020 Americanconcert filmdirected and produced bySpike Lee,from a screenplay byDavid Byrne.The film is a live recording of a Broadway performance of the show adapted from the touring show that supported thealbum 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 collaboratorAnnie-B Parsonserved as choreographer.
It had its world premiere at the2020 Toronto International Film Festivalon September 10, 2020. The film received critical acclaim.
Cast[edit]
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[edit]
- "Here" (fromAmerican Utopia)
- "I Know Sometimes a Man Is Wrong" (fromRei Momo)
- "Don't Worry About the Government" (fromTalking Heads: 77)
- "Lazy"(fromMuzikizumbyX-Press 2)
- "This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)"(fromSpeaking in Tongues)
- "I Zimbra"(fromFear of Music)
- "Slippery People" (fromSpeaking in Tongues)
- "I Should Watch TV" (fromLove This Giant)
- "Everybody's Coming to My House" (fromAmerican Utopia)
- "Once in a Lifetime"(fromRemain in Light)
- "Glass, Concrete & Stone" (fromGrown Backwards)
- "Toe Jam"(fromI Think We're Gonna Need a Bigger BoatbyThe Brighton Port Authority)
- "Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)"(fromRemain in Light)
- "I Dance Like This" (fromAmerican Utopia)
- "Bullet" (fromAmerican Utopia)
- "Every Day Is a Miracle" (fromAmerican Utopia)
- "Blind"(fromNaked)
- "Burning Down the House"(fromSpeaking in Tongues)
- "Hell You Talmbout"(byJanelle Monáe)
- "One Fine Day" (fromEverything That Happens Will Happen Today)
- "Road to Nowhere"(fromLittle Creatures)
- "Everybody's Coming to My House: Detroit" (End Credits)
Production[edit]
In June 2020, it was announcedSpike Leehad directed a filmed version of the Broadway performanceAmerican UtopiabyDavid Byrne,withHBOdistributing.[4][5]
Release[edit]
The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2020.[6]It screened at theNew York Film Festivalon October 3, 2020,[7][8]and theBFI London Film Festivalon October 14, 2020.[9][10]It was broadcast in the United States and Canada onHBOand made available for streaming throughHBO Max(U.S.) andCrave(Canada) on October 17, 2020.[11][12]Universal Picturesdistributes the film in all other countries.[1]The film received alimited theatrical releasein the United States throughout September 2021.
Reception[edit]
American Utopiareceived critical acclaim. It holds a 98% approval rating on review aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes,based on 135 reviews, with an average of 8.6/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Helmed in elegant and exhilarating style by Spike Lee,David Byrne's American Utopiais a concert film that doubles as a joyously cathartic celebration. "[13]OnMetacritic,the film holds a rating of 92 out of 100, based on 28 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[14]
Erik Adams ofThe A.V. Clubdevotes a lengthy review toAmerican Utopiaas "the right movie for 2020", noting how Byrne balances hope in a tumultuous world, writing, "The key toAmerican Utopia's resonance isn’t so much one of joy versus despair as it is connection versus isolation ".[15]
Accolades[edit]
References[edit]
- ^abGrater, Tom (September 22, 2020)."Spike Lee-Directed 'David Byrne's American Utopia' Heading To Universal PCG For International".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on September 22, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 22,2020.
- ^"American Utopia".Toronto International Film Festival.Archivedfrom the original on September 6, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 8,2020.
- ^"David Byrne's American Utopia (2020)".Box Office Mojo.IMDb.RetrievedNovember 4,2023.
- ^Kim Murphy, J. (June 16, 2020)."Spike Lee-Directed Filmed Version of 'David Byrne's American Utopia' to Premiere on HBO".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on July 22, 2020.RetrievedJuly 21,2020.
- ^White, Peter (June 16, 2020)."Spike Lee-Directed Film Version Of 'David Byrne's American Utopia' Heads To HBO".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on July 9, 2020.RetrievedJuly 21,2020.
- ^Lang, Brent (July 21, 2020)."'American Utopia,' Spike Lee's David Byrne Concert Film, to Open Toronto Film Festival ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on July 22, 2020.RetrievedJuly 21,2020.
- ^Welk, Brian (August 27, 2020)."Sofia Coppola's 'On the Rocks,' Pedro Almodovar's 'The Human Voice' and Orson Welles Doc Added to NYFF Lineup".TheWrap.Archivedfrom the original on October 29, 2020.RetrievedAugust 27,2020.
- ^"American Utopia".New York Film Festival.Archivedfrom the original on September 18, 2020.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
- ^"American Utopia".BFI London Film Festival.Archived fromthe originalon October 5, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 22,2020.
- ^Ritman, Alex (September 8, 2020)."'Nomadland,' 'American Utopia,' 'Soul' Added as Rejigged London Film Festival Unveils Full Program ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on September 9, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 22,2020.
- ^Strauss, Matthew (August 24, 2020)."Watch the New Trailer for David Byrne's American Utopia, Directed by Spike Lee".Pitchfork.Archivedfrom the original on August 24, 2020.RetrievedAugust 25,2020.
- ^Evans, Greg (August 24, 2020)."'David Byrne's American Utopia' Teaser: HBO Releases First Look At Spike Lee's Film Adaptation Of Broadway Smash ".Deadline.Archivedfrom the original on September 19, 2020.RetrievedOctober 2,2020.
- ^"David Byrne's American Utopia (2020)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango.Archivedfrom the original on January 19, 2021.RetrievedOctober 30,2021.
- ^"American Utopia".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on September 16, 2020.RetrievedSeptember 22,2020.
- ^Adams, Erik (October 19, 2020)."David Byrne and Spike Lee MadeAmerican Utopiathe Right Movie for 2020 ".The A.V. Club.Archivedfrom the original on October 22, 2020.RetrievedOctober 23,2020.
- ^"Chloé Zhao's Nomadland Leads Chicago Film Critics Association 2020 Award Nominations".Chicago Film Critics Association.December 18, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on December 18, 2020.RetrievedMarch 23,2021.
- ^"2020 Florida Film Critics Circle Award Nominations".Florida Film Critics Circle.December 17, 2020.Archivedfrom the original on December 17, 2020.RetrievedDecember 21,2020.
- ^Anderson, Erik (January 11, 2021)."San Diego Film Critics give love to 'Promising Young Woman,' 'Sound of Metal'".Awards Watch.Archivedfrom the original on March 23, 2021.RetrievedMarch 23,2021.
- ^"Nomadland Leads 24th Annual TFCA Awards".Toronto Film Critics Association.February 7, 2021.Archivedfrom the original on February 8, 2021.RetrievedMarch 23,2021.
- ^Lewis, Hilary; O'Connell, Mikey (March 8, 2021)."DGA Awards: 'Ted Lasso,' 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Score Two TV Nominations Apiece".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2021.RetrievedMarch 23,2021.
- ^Giardina, Carolyn (March 11, 2021)."'Minari,' 'Trial of the Chicago 7' Among American Cinema Editors' Eddie Awards Nominees ".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2021.RetrievedMarch 11,2021.
- ^"David Byrne's American Utopia".Emmys.Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.RetrievedJuly 13,2021.
- ^"2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Nominations List".Grammy Awards.November 23, 2021.RetrievedNovember 23,2021.
External links[edit]
- 2020 films
- American documentary films
- American rock music films
- Concert films
- Films set in a theatre
- Documentary films about Broadway theatre
- Films directed by Spike Lee
- Participant (company) films
- HBO Films films
- Universal Pictures films
- Special Tony Award recipients
- 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks films
- 2020s English-language films
- 2020s American films