About David Byrne's American Utopia

"David Byrne's American Utopia" is a film adaptation of the Broadway show by the same name, created by David Byrne, the former frontman of Talking Heads. Directed by Spike Lee and released in 2020, the film features a lively and unifying musical performance that blends elements of theatre, dance and music. It is an innovative performance piece that combines old hits with tracks from Byrne's 2018 album, "American Utopia".

Making / Production

The film was shot during several live performances of the Broadway show. Spike Lee joined the team as the director, and with David Byrne, crafted a captivating viewing experience that doesn't shy away from potent themes relevant to the modern American context. Ellen Kuras was the Director of Photography, using both stationed and handheld cameras to provide a diverse set of visual perspectives throughout.

Actors

• David Byrne - The former Talking Heads frontman, Byrne plays himself, delivering an extraordinary performance that bridges the gap between band and audience.
• Ensemble cast - The film features a group of extremely talented musicians and dancers, each of whom brings a distinct energy and expertise to the performance; their names and roles include Jacquelene Acevedo on percussion, Gustavo Di Dalva on percussion, Daniel Freedman on percussion, and many others.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• David Byrne does not wear shoes throughout the entire performance.
• The movie premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.
• Spike Lee included angles and perspectives in the film not possible to see by the theatre audience, enhancing the online viewer's experience.

Awards

The film has been nominated for multiple awards including 'Best Live Concert' and 'Best Music Film'.

Quotes

• "Under the right circumstances, a desperate, hysterical call can be a beautiful thing."
• "Here, we are all migrants."

Music and Soundtrack

• The film features songs from Byrne’s solo career, as well as Talking Heads classics such as "Once in a Lifetime" and "Burning Down the House".
• The title track "American Utopia" originates from Byrne's 2018 album with the same name.
• Byrne and the ensemble cast perform a moving version of Janelle Monáe's protest song, "Hell You Talmbout".