Later this fall, Spike Lee is teaming up with musician David Byrne for a brand-new film, “American Utopia,” and it’s unlike anything you’d expect from the Oscar-winning filmmaker.
As seen in the new teaser for “David Byrne’s American Utopia,” the new project is a filmed version of Byrne’s acclaimed Broadway show that featured new musical performances of his own solo songs, as well as many from his time with the Talking Heads. Just based on that, if you’re a fan of good music and lively performances, ‘American Utopia’ is likely something that will interest you. But to see what Spike Lee has done as director with a Broadway show that mixes that amazing music with a sociopolitical message makes the new HBO film something incredibly timely and even more important as we approach the forthcoming Presidential election.
READ MORE: Spike Lee’s Filmed Version Of ‘American Utopia’ To Open This Year’s TIFF
“David Byrne’s American Utopia” arrives on HBO on October 17. Before that, the film will debut as part of this year’s planned Toronto International Film Festival. You can watch the teaser below.
Here’s the (rather long) synopsis for the project:
DAVID BYRNE’S AMERICAN UTOPIA is one-of-a-kind, dynamic film that gives audiences access to Byrne’s electrifying Broadway show that played to sold-out, record-breaking audiences during its run from October 2019 to February 2020 at Broadway’s Hudson Theatre. In this unifying musical celebration that inspires audiences to connect to each other and to the global community, the former Talking Heads frontman and his band of 11 musical artists from around the world perform hits from across Byrne’s career, including songs from his 2018 album of the same name and classics like “This Must Be the Place” and “Everybody’s Coming To My House,” as well as a cover of Janelle Monáe’s “Hell You Talmbout.” As Byrne and company sing, dance, and play their way across the glittering gray stage, they welcome audiences into a joyous dreamworld where openness, optimism, faith in humanity, and social justice are paramount. Peppering these musical numbers with brief monologues that help communicate his message, Byrne touches on various sociopolitical topics – police brutality, voter turnout, climate change, immigration – and challenges us to come together and grapple with these issues right here, right now. Finally, Byrne insists that we not only show up to the polls, but that we truly embrace the possibility of change. “Not just in the imperfect world out there,” he says, but in ourselves, too.
