David Byrne’s American Utopia (2020)
Director: Spike Lee Run Time: 119 min. Release Year: 2020
Starring: Angie Swan, Bobby Wooten Iii, Chris Giarmo, David Byrne, Jacqueline Acevedo
Country: United States
Language: English
About the film:
Spike Lee’s universally acclaimed concert film had its world premiere at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival. From a screenplay by David Byrne, the film is a live recording of a Broadway performance showcasing songs from Byrne’s solo albums alongside highlights from his career as frontman for Talking Heads. He is joined by an ensemble of 11 musicians, singers, and dancers from around the globe, inviting audiences into a joyous dreamworld where human connection, self-evolution, and social justice are paramount.
About the filmmaker:
Spike Lee is an award-winning director, producer, writer, actor, author, and a tenured professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. A champion of independent filmmaking, his work challenges cultural assumptions about race, class, and identity. Some of his notable films include She’s Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, 4 Little Girls, 25th Hour, BlacKkKlansman, and Da 5 Bloods. He recently served as jury president at the 74th Cannes Film Festival. Read more here.
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