
David Byrne's American Utopia
David Byrne's critically-acclaimed Broadway show, one that unifies both the music and the audience, comes to the screen in this filmed performance directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman).
The show played at Hudson Theatre in NYC and Sydney’s ICC theatre from late 2019 to 2020. It was filmed by Lee with 11 camera operators to capture the multi-faceted production.
Choreographed by Annie-B Parson, with Tony-nominated Alex Timbers (director of Moulin Rouge!) serving as production consultant, the show finds the Talking Heads frontman performing songs with musicians from around the world. As well as performing numbers from Byrne’s American Utopia solo album, the set list includes hits from the Talking Heads’ back catalogue.
- Director:
- Spike Lee
- Cast:
- David Byrne


Reviews & comments
Byrne just gets better. Jaw-dropping.

Screen Daily
pressByrne pops around the stage like a man rejuvenated, or perhaps one who has never aged, without as much as breaking a sweat. How wonderful for it all to be the same as it ever was.

The Guardian
pressThere is no moment where Byrne dramatically opens up, either on stage or off, but perhaps that’s not the point. It’s a treat for Byrne fans, and could well make converts.

Slant Magazine
pressAmerican Utopia feels as much like a balm as it is a surprisingly direct call to political action and social betterment.

Slash Film
pressIt is an overall joyous experience – infectious, you could say. Even if you don’t love all of the songs – there were a few that did nothing for me, I’ll admit – you’ll get swept up in the energy radiating from Byrne and his group, all of them throwing themselves into this strange, surreal, beautiful show.

IndieWire
pressAmerican Utopia isn’t just a concert doc, but also a life-affirming, euphoria-producing, soul-energizing sing-along protest film that’s asking us to rise up against our own complacency.

RogerEbert.com
pressDavid Byrne’s American Utopia is a joyous expression of art, empathy, and compassion.

Hollywood Reporter
pressThe synergy here between filmmaker and subject — from the avant-funk grooves to the spirit of inclusivity and the urge to heal a broken nation — is simply spectacular.

Variety
pressThere’s nothing ironic about the title of American Utopia. It’s David Byrne and Spike Lee reveling in the majesty, and hidden magic, of the here and now.

Vanity Fair
pressAmerican Utopia is an outstanding collaboration between two essential artists; I can’t believe there’s anyone alive who won’t be moved by this document.

Screen Daily
pressByrne pops around the stage like a man rejuvenated, or perhaps one who has never aged, without as much as breaking a sweat. How wonderful for it all to be the same as it ever was.

The Guardian
pressThere is no moment where Byrne dramatically opens up, either on stage or off, but perhaps that’s not the point. It’s a treat for Byrne fans, and could well make converts.

Slant Magazine
pressAmerican Utopia feels as much like a balm as it is a surprisingly direct call to political action and social betterment.

Slash Film
pressIt is an overall joyous experience – infectious, you could say. Even if you don’t love all of the songs – there were a few that did nothing for me, I’ll admit – you’ll get swept up in the energy radiating from Byrne and his group, all of them throwing themselves into this strange, surreal, beautiful show.

IndieWire
pressAmerican Utopia isn’t just a concert doc, but also a life-affirming, euphoria-producing, soul-energizing sing-along protest film that’s asking us to rise up against our own complacency.

RogerEbert.com
pressDavid Byrne’s American Utopia is a joyous expression of art, empathy, and compassion.

Hollywood Reporter
pressThe synergy here between filmmaker and subject — from the avant-funk grooves to the spirit of inclusivity and the urge to heal a broken nation — is simply spectacular.

Variety
pressThere’s nothing ironic about the title of American Utopia. It’s David Byrne and Spike Lee reveling in the majesty, and hidden magic, of the here and now.

Vanity Fair
pressAmerican Utopia is an outstanding collaboration between two essential artists; I can’t believe there’s anyone alive who won’t be moved by this document.
Byrne just gets better. Jaw-dropping.
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