Film Review: DAVID BYRNE'S AMERICAN UTOPIA, In Cinemas
The film will be screened in the UK on 5 August
Directed by Spike Lee, David Byrne’s American Utopia is a filmed version of David Byrne’s Broadway stage show, which itself is inspired by the record of the same name. The show ran twice on Broadway, first from 2019 to 2020 and then from 2021 to 2022. As someone who saw American Utopia ten times on Broadway, I was curious as to what the film could bring to a show I already loved, and ended up being very impressed by the results. American Utopia has some of Byrne’s biggest hits, including “Once In A Lifetime,” “Burning Down the House” and “Road to Nowhere,” but also gives audiences a closer look into Byrne’s life and creativity through monologues he gives in between numbers.
Even though it’s a stage show, American Utopia is very much more of a concert production, with a very minimalistic set of a table and chairs, a ghostlight and silver chains surrounding the edges of the stage as a kind of curtain. Band members are introduced throughout the first few numbers, emerging from the chains to cheers and applause. From the first number, “Here,” it’s clear that Cinematographers Ellen Kuras and Declan Quinn and Editor Adam Gough were taking advantage of this being a filmed production, giving audience members views that they normally would not be able to see. Some particularly beautiful shots include performers entering the stage, pushing through the chains.
The best aspect of American Utopia is its simplicity, allowing the audience to solely focus on the performers (Byrne, Karl Mansfield, Angie Swan, Bobby Wooten III, Mauro Refosco, Tim Keiper, Gustavo Di Dalva, Jacquelene Acevedo, Daniel Freedman, Stéphane San Juan) and the music. The choreography from Annie-B Parson, who has collaborated with Byrne before, is simple yet effective, allowing the musicians to dance whilst playing their instruments and singing. Rob Sinclair’s lighting never takes away from the performances, instead working with Parson’s choreography to highlight moments. And none of this would be possible without the sound design of Pete Keppler, who has done a brilliant job in ensuring all of the different instruments and vocals can be heard throughout the show.
Along with his own songs, Byrne also performs “Hell You Talmbout,” a protest song written by Janelle Monáe. As Byrne and the band sing and call out the names of those who have been killed, their images appear on the screen - Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, Botham Jean, Freddie Gray, Atatiana Jefferson, Sandra Bland, Sean Bell, Marielle Franco, Emmett Till, Tommy Yancy, Jordan Baker and Amadou Diallo. Three more who were killed in 2020 are also added - Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd - with the number ending with a list of names in red covering the screen, with the words “AND TOO MANY MORE.” It’s an incredibly powerful moment in the show, and allows Lee and Byrne to combine music and imagery to create a lasting impact.
And “Hell You Talmbout” is not the show’s only moment of activism. Byrne is open about wanting the audience to participate in politics, partnering with Head Count and encouraging people to make a pledge to vote in the lobby of the theatre. In “I Should Watch TV,” a song that explores how television has affected the world, an image of Colin Kaepernick is projected on the back wall of chains, and the performers all kneel, holding their fists up to replicate the football player’s protest. Byrne also brings up his own politics, acknowledging that he himself is an immigrant who was born in Scotland.
But the main theme of the show? Human connection. From the opening number where Byrne is holding a model of the human brain, to his many monologues about how looking at other humans is “the best,” American Utopia emphasises just how important it is for people to stay connected, especially in a time of social media. There are so many moments of joy, strong enough that one finds themself smiling at the screen they’re watching the show on. Even the end credits are a delight, with Byrne and the band biking through the streets of New York City with the Detroit School of Arts Vocal Jazz Choir’s version of “Everybody’s Coming to My House” playing in the background.
Ultimately, David Byrne’s American Utopia is a masterpiece in blending cinematography and stagecraft, with the creatives joining forces to immortalise the iconic work. Each of the performers is giving it their all, and it is magical to see American Utopia come to life. One can only hope to see Byrne bring the production to the West End in the future.
Read our interview with American Utopia choreographer Annie-B Parson here.
David Byrne’s American Utopia will be screened in the UK on 5 August.
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
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