Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBeyoncé Knowles-Carter
Written byBeyoncé Knowles-Carter
Based on
Produced byBeyoncé Knowles-Carter
Starring
Production
company
Distributed by
Release dates
Running time
168 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé is a 2023 American documentary concert film written, directed, and produced by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. The film chronicles the development and execution of the Renaissance World Tour, Beyoncé's 2023 stadium tour in support of her seventh studio album Renaissance (2022).

Beyoncé signed a distribution agreement with AMC Theatres and announced the film after concluding the final Renaissance World Tour concert in Kansas City, Missouri. According to its official summary, Renaissance highlights the creation of the album and tour production, as well as Beyoncé's "creative mind and purpose to create her legacy and master her craft." Her husband, Jay-Z, and three children, Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir Carter, are featured in the film. Diana Ross, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, and Kendrick Lamar also make appearances. The end credits features "My House", a 2023 single by Beyoncé.[2]

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé premiered at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on November 25, 2023, before being theatrically released in the United States on December 1, 2023.[3] The film was met with acclaim from critics, with praise for the concert footage, Beyoncé's stage presence, production and the behind-the-scenes elements.

Background

American singer Beyoncé released her seventh studio album, Renaissance, on July 29, 2022.[4] Inspired by her desire for escapism during the COVID-19 pandemic, the album was universally acclaimed by music critics for its joyous and eclectic celebration of post-1970s Black dance music and ball culture.[5] It broke several commercial records,[6] was named the best album of 2022 by multiple publications,[7] and helped Beyoncé become the most awarded person in Grammy Awards history.[8]

Critics and fans quickly realized that Beyoncé did not release a visual companion with Renaissance, as she did with her previous works B'Day (2006), Beyoncé (2013), Lemonade (2016) and The Lion King: The Gift (2019). These are frequently described as a visual album or a musical film.[9] Beyoncé released a teaser video the opening track of Renaissance, "I'm That Girl", on August 9, 2022, that included a rapid montage of over twenty outfits that news outlets interpreted as previewing the various impending music videos for each track on the album.[10] In support of Renaissance, she announced her sixth solo headlining concert tour, the Renaissance World Tour, on February 1, 2023, via her Instagram account.[11] The all-stadium concert run began on May 10, 2023, in Stockholm, Sweden, and concluded on October 1, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri.[12]

On September 30, 2023, Variety reported that Beyoncé will be releasing a concert film through AMC Theatres, similar to Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (2023).[13] The film was reported to have been auctioned to the major film studios and streaming platforms, with Beyoncé choosing "an unconventional deal template forged by AMC and Taylor Swift" where she will receive over 50 percent of the box office gross. According to Variety's sources, the film will have an "ambitious scope", incorporating highlights from the full run of the tour, the visual album of Renaissance, and documentary footage of the development of both the album and the tour.[14]

Release

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé released on December 1, 2023. The release date is noted for falling on World AIDS Day, as the corresponding album is dedicated to Beyoncé's "Uncle" Johnny, who introduced her to Black dance music and ball culture and died during the AIDS epidemic.[15] The film opened in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with additional global availability announced on October 26. Uproxx reported that fans were added to virtual queues while attempting to purchase tickets.[16] Deadline Hollywood reported that the first-day ticket presales of the film is estimated to be around US$6-7 million.[17] Tickets for territories outside the US went on sale November 9 from the film’s website.[18] The film will screen for at least four weekends. It will be available in IMAX and Dolby Cinema, as well as other branded premium large-format screens.[19]

The film had its world premiere at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Los Angeles on November 25, 2023.[20] An additional premiere was held on November 30, 2023, at London's Leicester Square.[21] A song titled "My House" was surprise released alongside the movie.[22]

Reception

Box office

In the United States and Canada, the film was released alongside Silent Night, Godzilla Minus One, and The Shift, and is projected to grossed $17-20 million from 2,539 theatres in its opening weekend.[23] After making $5 million from Thursday night previews, estimates were raised to $20–25 million.[24]

Critical response

Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé received widespread acclaim from critics, with emphasis on the concert footage and the intimate behind-the-scenes elements.[25][26] On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 17 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.5/10.[27] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 88 out of 100, based on seven critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[28] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film a rare average grade of "A+", while those polled at PostTrak gave it a 99% overall positive score, with 90% saying they would definitely recommend the film.[24]

In a five-star review for The Independent, Roisin O'Connor wrote that the film "shows a level of perfectionism beyond any other artist" through "a rare and remarkable" inside-look into the tour's production, comparing Beyoncé to filmmaker Steven Spielberg. O'Connor also lauds the "staggering" and "extraordinary" live performance segments of the film, concluding: "The tempo and sheer spectacle of it all leaves you breathless. No one compares."[29] Philip Cosores of Uproxx described Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé as "masterful, brave and affecting" filmmaking."[30]

The Guardian's Steve Rose praised the "affecting" and "intriguing" documentary segments of the film, which successfully "strip back the façade of perfection Beyoncé perpetually exudes" and provide insights into the "staggeringly accomplished" tour.[31] Mark Olsen of the Los Angeles Times described the film as "startlingly candid", with the "notoriously guarded" Beyoncé revealing behind-the-scenes insights from the tour and intimate moments with her family.[32]

Writing for The Hollywood Reporter, Angie Han praised the innovative editing and maximalist set design, making the film "feel like a spiritual experience unto itself".[33] Katie Campione of Deadline also likened the film to a religious experience, with its "immersive" visuals and "breathtaking" performance.[34] Today's Arianna Davis agreed, writing that the film "stands apart in its breathtaking visuals" and noting that it was "made for the big screen".[35]

Billboard's Kyle Denis wrote that the film "is as much about the enigmatic artistic genius as it is about community", highlighting the groups of people who crafted the tour behind-the-scenes, attended the concerts and "inspired the throughlines of Black queer liberation that course through" the Renaissance era.[36] The Hollywood Reporter's Angie Han praised Beyoncé for spotlighting and crediting the queer black community and pioneers of ball culture, which the album’s sound is rooted in.[33] Victoria Moss of the Evening Standard wrote that the highlight of the film was the "poignant moments" when Beyoncé pays tribute to her Uncle Jonny, her gay relative who died during the AIDS epidemic and who introduced her to the house music and ball culture that Renaissance celebrates.[37]

Impact

Shares for AMC, IMAX and Cinemark Theatres rose following the announcement of the film.[38] According to CNBC's Sarah Whitten, Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé will provide a "much-needed boom" for the film industry, which is still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com, said that Beyoncé will fill the typically slow period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which will in turn change how the industry approaches these "dead zones".[39] The film, together with the re-release of Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense (1984) and Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, has ushered in a revival of concert films, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.[40] The Times suggested the film to be "the future of live music", aiding both the UK's live music industry and film industry.[41]

Setlist

Source:[42]

  1. "Dangerously in Love 2"
  2. "Flaws and All"
  3. "I'm That Girl"
  4. "Cozy"
  5. "Alien Superstar"
  6. "Lift Off"
  7. "Cuff It"
  8. "Energy"
  9. "Break My Soul" (The Queens Remix)
  10. "Formation"
  11. "Diva"
  12. "Run the World (Girls)"
  13. "My Power (with Blue Ivy)"
  14. "Black Parade"
  15. "Savage Remix" (with Megan Thee Stallion)
  16. "Partition"
  17. "Church Girl"
  18. "Get Me Bodied"
  19. "Before I Let Go"
  20. "Crazy in Love"
  21. "River Deep – Mountain High"
  22. "Love Hangover" (with Diana Ross)
  23. "Plastic off the Sofa"
  24. "Virgo's Groove"
  25. "Naughty Girl"
  26. "Move"
  27. "Heated"
  28. "Memories Run Through My Wires" (intermission)
  29. "Thique"
  30. "All Up in Your Mind"
  31. "Drunk in Love"
  32. "America Has a Problem" (with Kendrick Lamar)
  33. "Pure/Honey"
Encore
  1. "Summer Renaissance"
  2. "My House"

References

  1. ↑ Asmelash, Leah (November 26, 2023). "Everything you need to know about Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' movie". CNN. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
  2. ↑ Corcoran, Nina; Hussey, Allison (December 1, 2023). "Beyoncé Shares New Song "My House": Listen". Pitchfork.
  3. ↑ "Beyonce's concert film to be distributed globally by AMC". Reuters. October 2, 2023. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  4. ↑ Mamo, Heran (July 29, 2022). "Beyoncé Releases 'Renaissance' Album & Allows Us to 'Release The Wiggle': Stream It Now". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  5. ↑ Brown, August (July 29, 2022). "6 takeaways from Beyoncé's head-spinning, body-moving 'Renaissance'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 29, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ Benitez-Eves, Tina (August 8, 2022). "Beyoncé Becomes First Female Artist to Debut Seven No. 1 Albums". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  7. ↑ Fekadu, Mesfin (December 21, 2022). "Hollywood Reporter Music Editor Picks the 10 Best Albums of 2022". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 22, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  8. ↑ "Grammys 2023: Beyoncé had a big night — but was it big enough?". CBC. February 6, 2023. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Beyoncé Releases First 'Renaissance' Visuals with "I'M THAT GIRL" Teaser". Harper's BAZAAR. August 12, 2022. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  10. ↑ Munzenrieder, Kyle (August 12, 2022). "Did Beyoncé Just Tease All Her Renaissance Visual Album Looks?". W Magazine. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
  11. ↑ Aswad, Jem (February 1, 2023). "Beyonce Announces Renaissance Stadium Tour and Dates". Variety. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  12. ↑ Segarra, Edward (October 2, 2023). "Beyoncé announces Renaissance Tour concert film: 'Start over, start fresh, create the new'". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  13. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (September 30, 2022). "Beyonce in Final Talks to Release Renaissance Concert Film Through AMC Theatres Following Taylor Swift Deal (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  14. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (October 2, 2023). "Beyoncé Drops Trailer for Renaissance Concert Film, Opens Ticket Pre-Sales for December Release". Variety. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  15. ↑ "Beyoncé's "Renaissance World Tour" concert film announcement puts fans in frenzy mode". Yahoo Entertainment. October 2, 2023. Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  16. ↑ Rossignol, Derrick (October 2, 2023). "How To Get Tickets For Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' Concert Film". Uproxx. Archived from the original on October 12, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  17. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 3, 2023). "'Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé' Estimated First-Day Presales Around $6M-$7M – Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 15, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  18. ↑ Starkey, Adam (October 26, 2023). "Beyoncé confirms worldwide release date of 'Renaissance' concert film". NME. Archived from the original on October 26, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Beyoncé announces 'Renaissance' film. How to get tickets". TODAY.com. October 2, 2023. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  20. ↑ Moriello, Joanna (November 26, 2023). "Lizzo, Janelle Monáe, Kelly Rowland, more attend the 'Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé' premiere". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on November 29, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  21. ↑ Fekadu, Meskin (October 26, 2023). "Beyoncé to hold premieres for Renaissance concert film in London, L.A." The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
  22. ↑ Gonzalez, Alex (November 30, 2023). "Beyoncé Goes Into Full Rap Mogul Mode On "My House", A Surprise Song In The Renaissance Film End Credits". Uproxx. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  23. ↑ Rubin, Rebecca (November 29, 2023). "Box Office: Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' Takes on 'Hunger Games' Prequel With Estimated $20 Million Debut". Variety. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  24. 1 2 D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 1, 2023). "'Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé' Brightens Up Thursday With $5M Previews; 99% Positive Audience Exits – Box Office". Deadline. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  25. ↑ Warner, Sam (November 27, 2023). "Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' movie praised in first reviews: "Made for the big screen"". NME. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  26. ↑ "The 1 Thing Everyone Agrees On After Watching Beyonce's Renaissance Tour Concert Film". HuffPost UK. November 30, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  28. ↑ "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé". www.metacritic.com. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  29. ↑ "In Renaissance, Beyoncé shows a level of perfectionism beyond any other artist". The Independent. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Beyoncé Embraces The Flaws And All In Her Engrossing 'Renaissance' Film". UPROXX. November 27, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  31. ↑ Rose, Steve (November 30, 2023). "Renaissance: a Film by Beyoncé review – sparkling, party vibe with backstage insights". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  32. ↑ "What we learned at the premiere of 'Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé'". Los Angeles Times. November 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  33. 1 2 Han, Angie (November 26, 2023). "'Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé' Review: A Privileged Peek Inside a Star's Artistry and a Crowd's Ecstasy". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  34. ↑ Campione, Katie (November 26, 2023). "'Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé' Review: An Intimate Yet Extravagant Exploration Of Beyoncé's Latest World Tour". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  35. ↑ "What it was like to watch Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' film with Beyoncé herself". TODAY.com. November 26, 2023. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  36. ↑ Denis, Kyle (December 1, 2023). "7 Best Moments of 'Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé'". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  37. ↑ Moss, Victoria (December 1, 2023). "Renaissance film: Beyoncé wrings every last drop out of her tour". Evening Standard. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Beyoncé to release concert film as theater chains look to fill movie slate". Yahoo Finance. October 2, 2023. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  39. ↑ Whitten, Sarah (October 3, 2023). "Beyonce's Renaissance Tour film is coming to save the day for the weak December box office". CNBC. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  40. ↑ Crawford, Anwen (November 8, 2023). "The concert film is back, and could save cinemas. Why can't we get enough?". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  41. ↑ Dean, Jonathan (November 28, 2023). "Britain's live music industry is in trouble — here's how to save it". ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Beyoncé's Full Renaissance Movie Setlist: See What Made the Cut". Pitchfork. December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
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