David Byrne’s ‘American Utopia’ Filmed Version Directed by

The filmed model of David Byrne’s Broadway present “American Utopia” — directed by Spike Lee — has been nabbed by HBO and can debut on the platform later this yr, it was introduced Tuesday by Nina Rosenstein, EVP, HBO Programming. No particular date was introduced.

“American Utopia” options new takes and choreography to a few of Byrne’s basic songs with Talking Heads and his solo profession and had a sold-out run from October 2019 to February 2020 at Broadway’s Hudson Theater.

People who didn’t get to see the present received a style of Byrne’s distinct showmanship when he carried out with a number of the Broadway solid on “SNL” earlier this yr.

“David Byrne’s ‘American Utopia’ is a uniquely transformative experience and a perfect example of how entertainment can bring us together during these challenging times,” Rosenstein mentioned in a press release. “Spike’s brilliant direction adds a level of intimacy to this powerful performance, and we’re so thrilled to share this groundbreaking show with our audience.”

“Spike and I have crossed paths many times over the years, obviously I’m a huge fan and now finally here was an opportunity for us to work together,” Byrne mentioned. “I am absolutely thrilled with the result. The Broadway show was a wonderful challenge as well as an opportunity – it was a joy to perform and, well, best to let the quotes speak for themselves. Thrilled that this show and the subjects it addresses will now reach a wider audience.”

“It is my honor and privilege that my art brother, Mr. David Byrne, asked me to join him in concert, to invite me into his magnificent world of ‘American Utopia,” Lee mentioned in a press release. “And dat’s da ‘once in a lifetime’ truth, Ruth. Ya-dig? Sho-nuff. Peace and love. Be safe.”

Participant, River Road Entertainment and Warner Music Entertainment are govt producing and financing the mission, with Participant as lead. The movie is produced by David Byrne’s Todomundo and Lee’s Forty Acres and a Mule Filmworks manufacturing corporations and govt produced by RadicalMedia. Byrne and Lee function producers.

Participant’s Jeff Skoll, David Linde, and Diane Weyermann govt produce, together with Warner Music Group’s Len Blavatnik, David Bither, Charlie Cohen, and Kurt Deutsch, Bill Pohlad and Christa Zofcin Workman of River Road, and RadicalMedia’s Jon Kamen, Dave Sirulnick and Meredith Bennett. Kristin Caskey, Mike Isaacson and Patrick Catullo, who lead produced the Broadway manufacturing, additionally function govt producers.

“We are thrilled to partner with HBO in bringing David Byrne’s ‘American Utopia’ to audiences everywhere,” David Linde, CEO of Participant, mentioned in a press release. “The creativity and artistry of David Byrne and Spike Lee, together, with the urgency and relevance of this celebratory film, have resulted in an event that is truly of and for our times.”

The authentic ‘American Utopia’ album by Byrne from 2018, in addition to the Broadway solid recording, had been launched on Warner Music Group’s Nonesuch Records.

The Broadway manufacturing featured the work of American choreographer Annie-B Parson and Tony®-nominated Alex Timbers serving as manufacturing guide, each of whom beforehand collaborated with Byrne on the acclaimed Imelda Marcos musical Here Lies Love; lighting design by Rob Sinclair and sound design by Pete Keppler; Karl Mansfield and Mauro Refosco are musical administrators.